Since 2011 our community has had access to a yearly area-wide hard waste collection taking place across Darebin in winter. A limited spring service (available to around 2,000 households) was introduced in 2012 to target students moving out of rental properties at the end of the year. This booked service is provided on a first come, first served basis, and is quickly booked out each year. Both collections allow for one cubic metre of waste.

Hard waste collection is available to residential properties that pay the waste charge and receive a Council waste service.

In 2023 we consulted with the community about Darebin’s waste services in general and asked what you thought about the current hard waste collection, and what you’d like to see changed. The review aimed to evaluate and endorse services that improve sustainability and meet legislative requirements while providing the Darebin community with a reliable, convenient, and user-friendly waste service.

As we are now due to move to a new hard waste contract, we’ve accelerated this part of the project.

At the 26 February 2024 Council Meeting, Council reviewed the outcomes of the community engagement combined with feedback received by our Customer Service team, and recommendations provided by council officers and decided to trial a booked hard waste collection service with the following features:

• One free booked collection of two cubic metres of waste per calendar year.
• Bookings made online or by phone.
• Extra collections can be arranged for community members experiencing hardship.
• Option for residents to pay for extra, unlimited collections of up to two cubic metres of hard waste.

We’re excited to trial this new approach to hard waste collection in Darebin and look forward to seeing the tangible benefits it brings to our community including:

• Better flexibility. No more waiting for the annual winter hard waste collection or squeezing in for a limited booking in spring. Book your free collection whenever it suits you.
• Reduced environmental impact. Most hard waste ends up in landfill. A booked collection enables you to be more mindful about what you put out for collection rather than rushing to get everything out in time for the area-wide collection. It also allows our contractor to recycle more hard waste each year compared to one area-wide collection.
• Increased allocation. A booked collection service means all Darebin residents can dispose of two cubic metres of hard waste each year, up from one metre.
• Better accessibility. People who speak a language other than English or are not comfortable using a computer will be able to organise their pick-up over the phone in their preferred language.

Darebin’s hard waste collection service plan over the next three years will be:

• Continue with an area-wide hard rubbish service in winter 2024
• No booked service in spring 2024
• First year of trialling booked hard rubbish service in 2025
• Second year of trialling booked hard rubbish service in 2026
• Assessment and recommendation of Darebin’s ongoing hard waste service to commence 2027

Find out more at darebin.vic.gov.au/hardwaste