Why do we need to re-route for bin collections?

Due to the significant population growth in the Shire, we need to evenly distribute the collections across the working week.

How often does a re-route occur?

Very rarely. Re-routes are calculated to allow for future growth and demands. The expectation is that the new collection days will be in place for a minimum of 3 years.

How will this affect me?

Your general waste bin collection day and your recycling collection week may change, please refer to the Waste and Recycling Guide on this webpage which outlines the collection areas and the relevant day for general waste bins (green lid bin) and the relevant day and week for recycling bins (yellow lid bin).

Will my general waste bin (green lid bin) still be collected weekly?

Yes.

Will my recycling bin (yellow lid bin) still be collected fortnightly?

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Who can assist if I am unsure what day my bin collection is?

Contact the Shire on 9526 1111 and a Customer Service Team member will assist you.

Who do I contact if my bin has not been collected?

Please contact our waste service contractor Cleanaway on 9587 4655 and they will arrange to collect it.

Who do I contact if my bin is damaged/ stolen?

If your bin is damaged or stolen, please contact the Shire Customer Service Team to arrange a repair / replacement.

Apply online for a replacement bin here

My bin is blowing open. What can I do?

If your household bin lids are blowing open and scattering its contents down the street you can resolve the problem with a Maxi Closer.

They come in two different sizes, 1 size for the 240L waste and recycle bins and 1 size for the 140L waste bin. Maxi Closers are easy to fit, keep the lid closed even in gale force conditions are easily removed and extremely durable.

They are free (1 set per household) and are available from our Administration Centre in Mundijong.

How do I apply for a new bin collection service?

To apply for a new bin service, complete the Apply for a new bin service form available below or in person at our Administration Centre. Completed applications can be submitted electronically, by mail or in person at our Administration Centre. We are only able to process applications that are signed by the landowner or their authorised agent. The reason for this is that bins belong to the property where the bins are located.

Apply for a new bin service

Bin placement

Placing your bins correctly helps us to provide you with a timely and efficient collection service.

To ensure your waste is collected

• Put your bins out before 6am on the morning of collection.
• Place bins half a metre back from the kerb with the handle and wheels facing your property.
• Place your general waste and recycling bins half a metre apart from each other.
• Ensure access to the bin is not blocked by cars, power poles, trees, etc.
• Do not leave any excess material or waste next to your bin.
• Return bins to your yard before 6pm on your collection day.

How do I upgrade an existing bin collection service?

If you find that you require more space for your rubbish and recycling, you can apply for additional bins or larger bins (fees apply).

To apply complete the Upgrade and/or add to an existing bin service available below or in person at our Administration Centre. Completed applications can be submitted electronically, by mail or in person at our Administration Centre. We are only able to process applications that are signed by the landowner or their authorised agent. The reason for this is that bins belong to the property where the bins are located.

Upgrade and or Add to an Existing Application Form

How has the Shire communicated the change to bin collection days?

The Shire is communicating this change to residents and businesses via the following methods:

• Newspaper adverts in The Examiner newspaper
• Information on our website
• Social media posts
• Waste and Recycling Guide sent to all letterboxes in the Shire

How can I get a hard copy of the Waste and Recycling Guide?

Download the Waste and Recycling Guide

What can I put in the recycle bin?

For an up-to-date list of items accepted through your two bin system go to Recycle Right.  Cleanaway collects your bins and takes to a recycle sorting centre and has issued the following as a guide:

What can be recycled in the recycle (yellow lid) bin?

✔ Glass bottles and jars (clean & empty).

✔ Steel and aluminium cans including clean alfoil trays (no other metal items of any kind).

✔ Newspapers, office paper, magazines, etc. (no plastic wrapping and do not bundle items together).

✔ Cardboard (remove contents and liners and please flatten).

✔ Plastic bottles and containers with the recycling symbol (no lids, clean & empty).

✔ Drink cartons (no silver lined UHT cartons).

What cannot be recycled in the recycle bin?

✘ Plastic bags, plastic film or shrink wrap.

✘ Polystyrene goods (eg. meat trays and packaging).

✘ Ceramics, window glass, light globes, mirrors or broken glass.

✘ Garden waste of any sort.

✘ Household rubbish, food scraps or food wrappings.

✘ Batteries

✘ Metal of any kind (other than listed above).

✘ Paint or paint tins

✘ Nappies

✘ Syringes/needles or medical waste.

✘ Clothing or leather

✘ Oil, acid or chemicals

✘ Liquid of any kind

✘ Building rubble

✘ Animal waste or kitty litter

✘ Aerosols

What is waste contamination?

Contamination occurs when a non-recyclable item is placed in the recycle bin or collection truck. This makes all of the material in that bin or truck useless for recycling, so it's best to be thorough.

What can I put in the general rubbish bin?

For more information on what can and cannot go into this bin see Recycle Right website. 

Cleanaway take the general rubbish bin to a landfill site in Mandurah. 

What you should not put in this bin:

• Glass (broken or other)
• Hot or burning ash.
• Asbestos.
• Batteries.
• Bricks, concrete, sand and other building materials.
• Household hazard waste.
• Old tyres and motor oil.

What you can put in this bin:

• Food and organic waste
• Green Waste
• Meat Trays
• non-recyclable plastics 
• used clothing

Note many items that cannot go into the general waste bin may be able to be taken to Watkins Road Waste Transfer and Recycling Centre (WTS) or actually recycled or repurposed to reduce waste to landfill.

There are some nearby Waste Transfer Facilities that also have the capacity to take items that the WTS cannot take including Hazardous Household Waste or oil.  Check the Recycle Mate website for possible locations nearby to sort your waste responsibly.

How clean does the stuff I recycle need to be?

Items don't need to be spotless, but should be clean of food scraps and be dry when placed into the bin.

Does one plastic bag in the recycling bin matter?

Recycling rubbish placed in plastic bags cannot be sorted. Even worse, plastic bags can get stuck in the sorting machinery.

What happens with plastic lids?

All lids have to be removed from bottles and jars and thrown in the garbage as they cause problems in the recycling process.