Green waste is made up of organic garden materials, including leaves, grass clippings, weeds, branches, and pruning cuttings. Sydney is a gardener’s dream in many respects, but due to the high heat and frequent storms we experience, there is a lot of seasonal growth to contend with. Add in general maintenance and landscaping renovations, and it’s clear to see why green waste rubbish removal in Sydney is a big topic. In this guide, we tackle the best practices for green waste cleanup, potential cost-saving tips, and the best rubbish removal options available to Sydneysiders.
What Counts as Green Waste
Not all garden waste counts as green waste.
Green Waste
- Grass and hedge clippings
- Small organic debris, including leaves
- Shrub trimmings
- Small branches
- Plant material and weeds
- Palm fronds (at selected facilities)
Non-Green Garden Waste
- Synthetic turf
- Artificial plants
- Plastic, metal, ceramic, terracotta plant pots
- Soil
- Bricks, concrete, and rocks
- General household rubbish
Top Tip: Segregating green waste from other types of rubbish will reduce your disposal rates.
Garden Cleanup Planning & Best Practices
Waste Assessment
Assess the volume of rubbish for a rough idea of pricing. A small pile typically runs between 1 and 2 cubic metres, while a medium pile is 3-5 m3, and a large cleanup is more than 6 m3. It’s also worth planning for seasonal peaks, like spring maintenance to prepare for the summer and autumn cleanup to prepare for winter.
Sorting & Separation
Green waste can be placed in your council-issued green-lidded bin, but if there isn’t sufficient room for your waste, be sure to separate all your green waste from other recyclable materials. Rocks and soils should be separate from grass clippings, and they should both be separate from recyclable materials like pots and metal frames.
Top Tip: Always remove any potential contaminants to avoid the composting facility from rejecting your load.
Safety & Environment
Always utilise personal protective equipment like gloves and eye protection when handling heavy branches, thorny bushes, or working with clippings and cuttings. You should also beware of root balls and stumps, many of which are bigger and heavier than they appear and require extra handling.
Top Tip: Always secure and cover your load before transport to avoid hazards and fines.
Green Bin Use & Sydney Council Options
In addition to your council-issued green-lidded bin that’s designed for green waste, many councils also offer a garden waste pickup service that you can book. For example, North Sydney Council will collect up to 0.5 m3 of green waste provided it is in a council bin. It’s important to note that council pickups have volume limits, and availability may not suit.
Top Tip: Always check your local council’s website for rules and restrictions before booking.
Money-Saving Tips From the Experts
- Utilise your council-issues green-lidded bin for small, recurring volumes of green waste.
- Always pre-sort your waste to avoid paying the mixed waste fee, which is more expensive
- Make the most of your call to Cheapest Load of Rubbish by combining your garden cleanup with our other services, like renovation waste or furniture removal.
Top Tip: Many Sydney councils subsidise green waste bin services or include them in annual rates – make sure you check.
Disposal Options: Pros & Cons
Council Green Bin & Bookable Pickup Services
Pro: It’s a scheduled service and generally low-cost
Con: There are volume limits per booking (typically 0.5 m3)
DIY Landfill Drop-Off
Pro: It’s a money-saving option if you have a vehicle that can handle the load.
Con: You must pay landfill fees and handle the loading, unloading, and disposal yourself.
Skip Bin Hire
Pros: This is a convenient solution for large volumes of garden rubbish.
Cons: Combined with the necessary permit, costs are generally higher than calling a professional rubbish removal service for direct removal.
Professional Rubbish Removal
Pros: The labour is included in the price and means no heavy lifting for you.
Pros: You don’t need to worry about whether your car can handle the load.
Pros: No permits required.
Pros: It’s convenient and eco-friendly!
Cons: Direct rubbish removal companies cannot handle certain hazardous materials.
Why Use Cheapest Load of Rubbish for Residential Green Waste & Garden Cleanup
- We Serve Sydney
We serve residents and businesses Sydney-wide, whether you’re in South Sydney, Western Sydney, Inner Sydney, Sutherland Shire, the Hills District, the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, North Shore, or the Northern Beaches. We’re well-acquainted with the diverse council waste regulations across various councils.
- We Provide Residential Green Waste Services
Not only do we offer flexible scheduling and prompt collections, but we’re happy to combine loads with other domestic rubbish to maximise your call. We’ll handle green waste removal, garden debris, and hedge trimmings.
- We Offer Transparent Pricing
Not only are we more affordable than skip bins and often DIY options, but we also offer transparent prices. We’ll visit you to assess your rubbish, provide your quote, and that’s exactly what you’ll pay when we’re done.
- We Are Eco-Friendly
We are committed to keeping Sydney clean for everyone, which means we are committed to recycling wherever possible and utilising Sydney’s many recycling and composting facilities to avoid taking items to landfill when possible. Our knowledgeable team are highly experienced and trained to sort through materials to ensure responsible disposal.
- It’s Convenient & Saves You Time
You don’t need to hire a trailer, book a skip, or deal with the council booking system. There’s no need to load your car up for multiple trips across town to the nearest landfill. Cheapest Load of Rubbish handles the heavy lifting and transport so that you don’t have to.
Practical Tips for Sydneysiders
- Green waste rules vary across Sydney’s different councils. Check your local details for bin size information and pickup options.
- Services are often in high demand in peak gardening periods through spring and summer, so plan.
- If you’re DIY’ing your green waste disposal, always secure and cover your load to avoid shedding hazards on the roadways. It could lead to illegal dumping fines.
FAQs
Do I need to book council green waste pickup?
If you need an additional collection outside of your regular green-lidded bin collection, you will need to book the pickup.
What counts as green waste?
Organic garden materials, including leaves, grass clippings, weeds, branches, and pruning cuttings
Will Cheapest Load of Rubbish take rocks and garden soil?
Absolutely. While these are not classed as green waste, Cheapest Load of Rubbish offers a wide range of rubbish removal services that include garden soil and rocks.
How much volume does a Sydney green bin hold?
It’s a 240 litre bin, which can hold approximately 0.24 m3.
How do I prepare waste for pickup?
Cheapest Load of Rubbish is happy to do the heavy lifting, but you can reduce costs by separating recyclables and mixed waste from any loads awaiting collection.
Call Cheapest Load of Rubbish
Whether you garden for fun or by force, there are plenty of cost-effective options to ensure safe disposal. Reduce your costs further by segregating your waste, planning, and securing your load if you choose to do it yourself. A rubbish removal service like Cheapest Load of Rubbish simplifies the process; there’s no need for you to worry about which facility takes which items. We’ll take care of everything, and we even offer free quotes.
If you need a hand with your green waste, contact Cheapest Load of Rubbish for a free quote on garden cleanup services in Sydney.
