Please note: Cheapest Load of Rubbish does NOT provide services related to Council pick-ups or pre-booked Council clean-ups. While we provide comprehensive information about Council rubbish removal, Cheapest Load of Rubbish is a private company offering alternative solutions for your rubbish removal needs. For specific details and regulations regarding your Council’s pick-up schedules, bin guidelines, and clean-up programs, please refer directly to your local Council’s website or contact them for assistance.
In Sydney, rubbish removal is a responsibility for every household and their local Council. Since each Council region has its own unique demography, the local Councils’ rules for rubbish collection are also different. To dispose of rubbish properly we need to learn the Do’s and Don’ts.
In this blog, we will explain the general rules and services for rubbish removal in Sydney that will answer many of your questions. To check specific conditions, find and contact your local Council.
Do’s
- Check bin collection days and place bins out the night before.
- Place all waste in your bins and close the lid, making sure not to overfill.
- Learn how to sort your rubbish and put in appropriate bins.
- Retrieve and store your bins on your property within 24 hours after collection.
- Check guidelines to ensure you only put Council accepted rubbish in your bins.
Don’t
- Don’t place bags or boxes next to the bin, they won’t be collected.
- Don’t overfill your bin, this makes the bin harder to pick up.
- Don’t pack bins too tightly, collection vehicles can’t pick up heavy bins.
- Don’t put bins out earlier than the night before collection.
- Don’t put your bins in a spot that can block pedestrian, bicycle or vehicle access.
- Don’t leave your bin out on the footpath or street after collection.
- Don’t put rubbish in the wrong bin.
What clean-up services are provided by the Council?
Each local Council in Sydney will have its own information website to showcase all services regarding rubbish and recycling. In general, the two services that are provided by the local Council is:
- Residential rubbish removal (wheelie bins).
- Pre-booked Council Clean-up.
What are residential bins?
These are the red, yellow and green bins that you can see garbage trucks collecting once or twice a week. Red is for general waste, yellow is for recycling and green is for garden waste.
When you move to a new place, make sure you find these different coloured bins and learn what should go into each. On your Council’s website, there are detailed lists, bin stickers, posters and videos that explain exactly what you should and should not put into each bin.
How do I request new bins for my property?
To add new bins or make changes, you can complete request forms on your Council’s website or call you local Council. If you live in an apartment, check with your building manager.
How much rubbish can I place out for collection?
You can only place rubbish inside your bin. Additional bags of rubbish left out on the kerb will not be collected. Additionally, they are considered to be illegally dumped rubbish and can attract hefty fines.
If your bin is not big enough, consider ways to Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle before ordering a new or bigger bin.
Where should I put the bins for collection?
If you live in a house, put your bins near the kerb and in a spot where they won’t block people or the garbage truck collecting your rubbish. After the rubbish has been removed, take the bins back to your property as soon as possible.
If you live in an apartment, check with your building manager where the rubbish chute or rubbish room is.
When do trucks come to collect rubbish?
This may be a different day for different Council’s, but generally red and yellow bins are collected on a particular day, each week or fortnight. Depending on your Council’s rules, the green organic waste bins may be collected less frequently. However, make sure you check with your Council as all areas will be different.
When should I put the bins out?
The night before collection day is the best. If you put the bins out too early, passers-by may add to the pile and overfill your bin. If you put the bins out too late, you may miss the garbage trucks that can come as early as 5am in some areas.
Can I get a pick-up service to collect big items?
Yes, all Councils should offer a pick-up service (also known as a Council Clean Up) for bulky items that can’t go into a bin. Generally, this service is only provided twice a year. You will need to book the service online or by phone and follow specific instructions of your Council.
If you live in an apartment, ask your building manager to make a booking. If your building doesn’t have one, call your local Council to get help.
What will the Council take in the Council Clean Up?
In general, your Council should pick up:
- Mattresses.
- Furniture and bulky household items.
- Whitegoods (eg. Refrigerators, Washing Machines).
- Green waste (generally must be bundled together).
- E-waste (eg. TVs, Computers, Printers).
Check your local Council’s information page for detailed lists of what can be collected.
What won’t the Council take in the Council Clean Up?
In general, your Council will not pick up:
- Food and general waste.
- Building, renovation or demolition material.
- Household chemicals.
- Heavy or extra-large items.
- Car parts.
- Commercial waste.
Be sure to check out your local Council’s collection list so that you don’t break any rules and find rubbish left behind. Leaving rejected Council Clean Up rubbish out the front of your property can still be considered as dumping and can attract fines.
How much waste can my Council pick up?
This depends on your local Council’s rules. Generally, most Council’s ask you to keep it within one box trailer load (2m x 1.2m x 1m).
Is it illegal to leave furniture on the kerb?
Yes. Putting rubbish on the kerb that can block pedestrians and bicycles is considered illegal dumping. Anything that is too big for the Council Clean Up or your weekly bin collection should be taken to the Tip or collected by a dedicated rubbish removal company.
How do I prepare for Council Clean Up?
- Book online at your local Council’s website and check terms and conditions, especially what they do not collect.
- Before the collection day, follow your Councils’ instructions on how to separate your items or place the items. For example, you may be asked to put mattresses next to other rubbish items and not on top or under.
- Check safety hazards. For example, tape fridge and oven doors shut to prevent sudden opening. Wrap and label sharp or dangerous items like mirror and glass.
- Check that rubbish items fit in the amount that can be collected. Otherwise, they may not be collected and left behind.
- Do not place items out until the night before to prevent others from adding their rubbish to your pile.
- Place your items for pick-up in the area specified in your booking or by the Council. Choose a spot that doesn’t block the footpath.
- Be at home for the collection day to ensure all rubbish is removed.
What are other ways to dispose of waste?
If something can still be used, donating it to charities or community groups will help reduce landfill and reuse behaviours. Australia is fighting a tough War on Waste, and needs your help to minimise waste! “Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle” is a perfect place to start!
Of course, there will be times where you need rubbish to be urgently removed or want someone else to take care of the junk properly. This is when Cheapest Load of Rubbish can help! We are a fully insured operation that provides same day rubbish removal. Get a free onsite, no obligation quote today and rest easy knowing your rubbish will be disposed of responsibly.
Disclaimer:
While this article provides comprehensive information about Sydney’s Council rubbish removal services, it is for informational purposes only.
We, Cheapest Load of Rubbish, are a private rubbish removal company that offers residential, commercial, and construction rubbish removal.
This information is intended to help residents understand their responsibilities and the limitations of Council services. For specific details and regulations regarding your Council’s pick-up schedules, bin guidelines, and clean-up programs, please refer directly to your local Council’s website or contact them for assistance.
If you require assistance removing bulky items that fall outside the scope of Council services, Cheapest Load of Rubbish is happy to help. We offer professional and responsible same-day rubbish removal services for various needs.
Please remember to dispose of all waste responsibly and follow your local Council regulations.
Thank you for reading!
