Kerbside waste collection frequency

Darebin Council currently offers a kerbside collection service for three bins:

General waste bin with red or dark green lid
Collected weekly
Mixed recycling bin with yellow lid
Collected fortnightly
Food and green waste bin with lime green lid
Collected fortnightly, alternating with recycling.

We want to know if this schedule meets the needs of the community. Some councils across Greater Melbourne have changed the frequency of their collections to assist in achieving a greater waste diversion rate.

If we decide to change kerbside bin collection frequency, eligibility criteria for larger bin permit waivers would stay the same. We have four options for you to consider about the collection of general waste and green waste bins.

Our data shows that our current mixed recycling bin collection is working well. Because of this, we are not asking for feedback on mixed recycling bin collection frequency.

For your kerbside general waste (red or dark green lid) and food and green waste (lime green lid) kerbside collection, the options are:

The waste bin is collected weekly. Food and green waste and recycling bins are collected fortnightly.

Things to consider for this option:

No service or relative cost changes.
Food and green waste bins may smell after a fortnight, which may discourage residents from using them.
Unlikely to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Things to consider for this option:

Likely to cost around 25% more than current services level.
More food waste might be diverted from landfill.
May not reduce overall waste going to
landfill.

General waste and recycling are collected fortnightly. Food and green waste is collected weekly.

Things to consider for this option:

Cost neutral in the short-term, but could reduce costs over time.
Greatest potential to increase the amount of food we recycle, and decrease the amount of waste sent to landfill.
The change would mean an adjustment for community members.

General waste is collected fortnightly. Food and green waste is collected fortnightly.

Things to consider for this option:

Likely to cost around 25% less than current services level.
Bins may not have enough room for the waste produced.
Food and green waste bins may smell after a fortnight, which may discourage residents from using them.

Glass bin

Darebin must introduce a glass recycling bin for homes (purple lidded) by 2027.

We want to know what frequency works best for you.

We've put together two options for this service.

Things to consider for monthly glass collection:

This option is the most expensive option for providing a new glass service due to the frequency of the collection.
A monthly collection is what most other Council’s provide (4 out of 6 inner councils).

Things to consider for a glass collection every two months:

This is likely to be the least expensive option for implementing a new glass service.
One collection every two months may not provide enough capacity to cater for household glass waste, and this may lead to glass being put in either the waste or recycling bin.