Where and What You Can Recycle in Melbourne: A Guide to Decluttering Responsibly
Decluttering isn’t just about clearing space—it’s also a chance to recycle responsibly and reduce waste. Melbourne offers plenty of options for recycling items beyond your regular curbside bins. Here’s a breakdown of what and where you can recycle in Melbourne to give your unwanted items a second life.
1. General Household Recycling (Curbside Bins)
Most councils in Melbourne provide curbside bins for general recycling. Here’s what you can usually put in your curbside recycling bin:
Paper and Cardboard: Newspapers, magazines, and flattened boxes.
Glass: Bottles and jars (rinsed).
Plastic: Hard plastics like milk containers and soft drink bottles. Check with your council for restrictions on plastic types.
Metal: Cans and tins (rinsed), including aluminium and steel.
Tip: Always check your council’s recycling guide, as requirements vary by area.
2. E-Waste
Since 2019, e-waste can no longer go to landfill in Victoria. You can recycle old electronics at specialised drop-off points.
E-waste Collection Sites: Many councils offer e-waste collection sites or annual collection events.
Officeworks: Accepts phones, batteries, printer cartridges, and computers for free.
Bunnings: Some stores have drop-off points for batteries.
3. Clothing and Textiles
If your clothing is in good condition, consider donating it to op-shops like Salvos, Vinnies, or local charity stores. For worn-out textiles:
Upparel: This service picks up old clothing, socks, and textiles from your home and either recycles or repurposes them.
H&M: Some stores in Melbourne accept clothing donations of any brand for recycling through their Garment Collecting Program.
4. Furniture and Household Items
Salvos Stores: Accept gently used furniture and household items.
Green Collect: Collects office and household items, including stationery, for reuse and recycling.
Freecycle Melbourne: An online community where you can offer unwanted items to others who can use them.
Tip: Call ahead to confirm items are accepted before dropping them off.
5. Mattresses
Old mattresses are tricky to recycle due to their materials but can be accepted at specific facilities.
Soft Landing Mattress Recycling: Offers mattress collection and recycling services across Melbourne.
Local Councils: Some councils accept mattresses at waste transfer stations or offer pick-up services for a fee.
6. Batteries and Light Bulbs
Bunnings: Many stores accept household batteries and light bulbs for recycling.
ALDI: All stores accept AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries for recycling.
Council Facilities: Many council offices and libraries provide battery recycling bins.
7. Paints and Chemicals
For items that shouldn’t go in the bin:
Paintback: Collects unused paint and paint tins at select Bunnings stores and waste transfer stations.
Detox Your Home: A free service run by Sustainability Victoria, collecting household chemicals at events across Melbourne.
8. White Goods and Appliances
If your fridge, washing machine, or other white goods are still working, consider donating them to charity or selling online. If not:
Scrap Metal Recyclers: Many recyclers accept white goods for their metal parts.
Council Hard Waste Collection: Many councils offer hard waste pick-up or drop-off for appliances.
9. Books and CDs
Local Libraries: Often accept donations of books in good condition.
Brotherhood of St. Laurence: Accepts books and CDs for resale or recycling.
Street Libraries: Small local libraries allow you to donate books for others to read.
10. Composting with Cardboard
Cardboard is an excellent addition to your compost bin, helping balance the “green” and “brown” materials (carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich). Break down cardboard into smaller pieces before composting, and avoid glossy or heavily inked sections. Here’s how cardboard can benefit your compost:
Moisture Control: Cardboard helps absorb excess moisture, keeping compost aerated.
Worm-Friendly: Shredded cardboard is great bedding material for worm farms.
Tip: Combine cardboard with kitchen scraps, lawn clippings, and garden waste for a balanced compost mix.
For more information on recycling and waste disposal in Melbourne, check out the City of Melbourne’s A-Z Guide.