A Practical Guide to Household Recycling in the City of Melbourne

Living in the City of Melbourne means sharing a dense, vibrant urban environment with thousands of other households. How we manage our waste plays a direct role in keeping that environment clean, efficient, and sustainable. Recycling correctly is one of the simplest ways residents can make a meaningful impact, yet it is also one of the most commonly misunderstood.

This guide is designed to help you confidently sort your household waste using the City of Melbourne’s colour coded bin system, with clear explanations and everyday examples.

Understanding Melbourne’s Bin System

The City of Melbourne currently operates a three stream system, with a four stream system being progressively introduced.

Most households use:

• A red lid bin for general waste

• A yellow lid bin for mixed recycling

• A lime green lid bin for food and garden organics, also known as FOGO

Many areas are now also receiving:

• A purple lid bin for glass only recycling

Collection frequency and bin sizes can vary depending on whether you live in a house, apartment, or mixed use building, so it is always worth checking your specific address on the City of Melbourne website.

Red Lid Bin. General Waste

Your red lid bin is for items that cannot be recycled or composted. This bin is collected weekly and should be used carefully, as its contents are sent directly to landfill.

Items that belong in your red lid bin include:

• Soft plastics such as bread bags, plastic wrap, chip packets, and frozen food packaging

• Polystyrene foam, including meat trays and protective packaging

• Disposable nappies, sanitary products, and wipes

• Broken ceramics, plates, cups, and drinking glasses

• Coffee cups and lids, even those labelled as recyclable

• Pet waste and cat litter

• Packaging that is heavily soiled and cannot be cleaned

Items that should never go into this bin include batteries, electronic waste, chemicals, paint, oils, and food scraps.

A simple rule of thumb is that if an item stretches, squashes easily, or feels rubbery, it usually belongs in general waste.

Yellow Lid Bin. Mixed Recycling

The yellow lid bin is collected fortnightly and is designed for clean, rigid materials. One of the most important rules is that items must be placed loose in the bin, not inside plastic bags.

You can place the following in your yellow lid bin:

• Paper and cardboard, flattened to save space

• Rigid plastic bottles, tubs, and containers

• Aluminium and steel cans

• Empty aerosol cans

• Glass bottles and jars, but only if you do not yet have a purple lid bin

Items that should not go into this bin include:

• Plastic bags and soft plastics

• Coffee cups

• Food contaminated packaging

• Clothing, textiles, or shoes

• Batteries, electronics, or cords

Before recycling, containers should be rinsed so they are free of food residue. Clean recycling helps prevent contamination, which can cause entire truckloads to be rejected.

Lime Green Lid Bin. Food and Garden Organics (FOGO)

The lime green lid bin is collected weekly and is one of the most effective waste reduction tools available to households. Food and garden waste placed in this bin is turned into compost rather than sent to landfill.

You can place the following in your FOGO bin:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps

• Cooked and uncooked food

• Meat, fish, bones, and seafood

• Dairy products

• Bread, rice, pasta, and grains

• Garden clippings, leaves, and flowers

• Greasy pizza boxes

Items that should not go into this bin include plastic bags, packaging, compostable plastics that are not council approved, soil, rocks, and treated timber.

If it was once food or part of a plant, it usually belongs in FOGO.

Purple Lid Bin. Glass Recycling

The purple lid bin is being rolled out across the City of Melbourne as part of a move toward a four stream recycling system. Separating glass improves the quality of all recycling streams.

If you have a purple lid bin, you should place all household glass here, including:

• Glass bottles

• Glass jars

Items that should not go into the glass bin include window glass, mirrors, Pyrex, ovenware, drinking glasses, ceramics, and crystal.

Once you have a purple lid bin, glass should no longer be placed in the yellow recycling bin.

Items That Do Not Belong in Any Kerbside Bin

Some household items require special handling due to safety risks or recycling processes. These items should never be placed in kerbside bins.

This includes:

• Batteries of any kind

• Mobile phones and electronic devices

• Cables, chargers, and power cords

• Light globes

• Paint, oils, and household chemicals

• Gas canisters

These items can be taken to approved drop off locations such as the Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, council e waste collection days, or participating retail drop off points.

Common Recycling Mistakes to Avoid

Even well intentioned recycling can cause problems if items are placed in the wrong bin. Common issues include:

• Placing recyclables inside plastic bags

• Putting soft plastics in the yellow bin

• Recycling dirty containers

• Placing coffee cups in recycling

• Guessing when unsure

If you are uncertain, it is better to check council guidance or place the item in general waste rather than contaminate recycling.

Living in Apartments and Shared Buildings

Many City of Melbourne residents share bin rooms and collection areas. In these spaces, individual choices affect the whole building.

If you live in an apartment:

• Place items carefully to avoid contamination

• Flatten cardboard boxes to reduce overflow

• Do not leave bulky items in bin rooms

• Contact building management if bins are full or damaged

Shared bins work best when everyone follows the same guidelines.

Checking Your Collection Schedule

Bin types, sizes, and collection days vary by address. For the most accurate and up to date information, residents should check their address using the City of Melbourne website.

Correct recycling is not about perfection. It is about understanding the system, slowing down for a moment, and making informed choices. When done well, it reduces landfill, improves resource recovery, and supports a cleaner, more sustainable city for everyone.