Waste and Recycling Guide

Overview

Download the A-Z Waste and Recycling Guide(PDF, 283KB).

Soft Plastics

We are saddened to learn that REDcycle has announced that it will temporarily pause its soft plastics collection program from 9 November 2022. REDcycle and its partners have advised that they are committed to having the program back up and running as soon as possible.

For the short term please put all soft plastics in your rubbish bin. Please do not put any soft plastics in your home kerbside recycling bin 

This is a timely reminder to refuse soft plastics where possible, visit Our Waste Future for some ideas on how you can reduce plastics that come into your home – avoidance is the first step of our waste hierarchy!

Download the fees and charges for the Resource Recovery Centres(PDF, 233KB) and the Hoppers(PDF, 165KB).

Aerosol Cans

Method: Recycling Bin 

Condition: Empty, not fuel or paint

Other: Full or partially full aerosol cans can be disposed at mobile Detox Your Home events.  

Aluminium Cans

Method: Recycling Bin 

Aluminium Foil & Trays

Method: Recycling Bin 

Condition: Clean. Scrunch into a cricket size ball or place smaller quantities into an aluminium soft drink can and scrunch the can to stop it falling out.

Animal Waste

Method: Rubbish Bin 

Condition: Please bag all animal waste prior to disposal.

Appliances

Method:  Recycle at the Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centres.  

Other: Working appliances can be taken to some Op shops. Some items may not be accepted due to excess stock.

Asbestos 

Method: Only at the Rye Resource Recovery Centre 

Condition: Please read the asbestos disposal guidelines. Maximum 1/2 cubic metre per day . Fees and charges apply. 

Batteries

Method: Free at Rye, Tyabb and Mornington Resource Recovery Centres.

Condition: Domestic quantities of car, household and mobile phone batteries only.

Other: Small household batteries can be dropped off at select stores, to be collected for recycling.  Find your local store at B-cycle or if your local supermarket is an IGA, the collection points are listed at Ecobatt.

BBQs

Method: Free at Rye, Tyabb and Mornington Resource Recovery Centres.

Condition: Gas bottles must be removed

Other: Book a hard/green waste collection

Bicycles / bikes

Method: Free at Rye, Tyabb and Mornington Resource Recovery Centres.

Other: Rideable bikes can also be dropped off at the Mornington Recycled Goods Store.

Biodegradable/Compostable Cups, Crockery and Cutlery

Method: Rubbish bin

Other: Biodegradable products such as cups and cutlery are generally made from natural resources. These items CANNOT be recycled nor can they be placed in the green waste bin.

Industrially compostable products (Australian Standard 4736) will only biodegrade in a commercial composting facility. There are currently limited commercial composting facilities that will accept these products. 

Home compostable products (Australian Standard 5810) will biodegrade at home without harming microbes and worms.

Blister packs

Method: Participating pharmacies through Pharmacycle

Condition: Empty. Unwanted medicine can be taken to your local pharmacy.

Other: Check for participating Terracycle collection points or place in your Rubbish bin.

Books

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Unreadable or damaged books. For larger books, please rip into smaller sections to ensure that it is collected at the Materials Recovery Facility.

Other: Books in good condition can be taken to your local Op shop or the Mornington Recycled Goods Store.

Bottle tops (metal & plastic)

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Bottles should be scrunched, and the tops should be screwed on to the bottles and put in the recycling bin, loose bottle tops less than 5cm in diameter are not accepted as they are too small and will fall through the machinery at the sorting facility and be sent to landfill.

Bread Bags

Method: Rubbish Bin

Other: Supermarket Soft Plastics - Temporary Closure. REDcycle regrets to announce that it will temporarily pause its soft plastics collection program from 9 November 2022. 

Bread tags

Method: Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs

Other:  Find your nearest Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs. Bread tags cannot be recycled in the household recycling bin as they are too small. Recycle your bread tags through Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs who recycle them to fund wheelchairs for disadvantaged people in South Africa.

Bread bag tags can also be placed in your household rubbish bin.

Bubble wrap 

Method: Rubbish Bin

Other: Supermarket Soft Plastics - Temporary Closure. REDcycle regrets to announce that it will temporarily pause its soft plastics collection program from 9 November 2022.

Car bodies

Method: Only at the Rye Resource Recovery Centre 

Conditions: Fees and charges apply for car body with tank, tyres and rims. Car bodies with tyres and tank removed are free.

Carcasses (dead animals)

Method:  Only at the Rye Resource Recovery Centre 

Condition: Fees and charges apply

Cassette tapes

Method: Rubbish bin  

Other: Cassette tapes in usable condition can be taken to your local Op shop or the Mornington Recycled Goods Store

Cardboard & Paper

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Flatten cardboard boxes. All types of paper including newspapers, magazines, envelopes, brochures, catalogues, phone books are accepted including liquid paper and Tetra Pak.

Cartridges

Method: Recycling Near You website

Other: Cartridges 4 Planet Ark provides free recycling of used printer cartridges. Click on the weblink to find your closest drop off outlet.

Ceramics and China

Method: Rubbish bin

Condition: Broken only.

Other: Intact ceramics and china can be donated to your local Op shop or the Mornington Recycled Goods Store

CDs and DVDs

Method: Rubbish bin

Condition: Separate plastic CD covers or plastic sleeves and place in the recycling bin.

Other: CDs & DVDs in usable condition can be taken to your local Op shop or the Mornington Recycled Goods Store

Chemical Drums (both plastic and steel)

Method: Only at Tyabb & Rye Resource Recovery Centres.

Condition: Chemical drums must be clean and empty with NO trace of chemical residue.

Other: Full or partially full drums – see Chemicals

Chemicals

Method: Sustainability Victoria’s Detox Your Home Program

Other: Sustainability Victoria’s Detox Your Home program provides is a safe, free and easy-to-use way residents can dispose of common household chemicals without harming their health or the environment. These mobile collections are open to all residents.

The Detox Your Home mobile collection service is held at 31 locations across Victoria each year. Find out when the next Detox Your Home Event   is on the Peninsula.

Visit Sustainability Victoria’s website for more information about the next scheduled collection and the complete list of the accepted products.

Click on the safe handling of chemicals web page to learn how you can safely store your chemicals.    

Christmas trees

Method: Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centres

Condition: Natural Christmas Trees can be disposed at the Resource Recovery Centres or Flinders Hopper for $7 from 2 -31 January. Usual green waste charges apply outside of this period. 

Other: Plastic Christmas trees in good condition can be donated to your local Op shop or the Mornington Recycled Goods Store. Some items may not be accepted due to excess stock.

Damaged plastic Christmas trees can also be placed in your household rubbish bin.

Clean fill

Method: Tyabb, Mornington and Rye Resource Recovery Centres

Condition: Fees and charges apply. Repurposable dirt, concrete, gravel, topsoil, sand and rubble etc.

Cleaning product bottles

Method: Recycling bin

Conditions: Empty. Remove lids and place in rubbish bin

Clothes, Shoes and Textiles

Method: Rubbish bin

Condition: Damaged and unsaleable only

Other: Good quality clothes, shoes and textiles can be donated to local Op Shops or Mornington Recycled Goods Store.  Ensure your donation counts by only giving saleable goods. 

For other clothing donation programs, visit Recycling Near You.

Coat Hangers (Metal)

Method: Rubbish bin

Coat Hangers (Plastic)

Method: Rubbish bin

Coffee cups (disposable)

Method: Rubbish bin

Other: Coffee cups are lined with plastic (either petrol or natural based) and cannot be recycled through the household and public recycling bins.

Some retailers are recycling coffee cups. This service can be limited to specific brands. Find your closet collection point at Recycling Near You

Consider bringing your own reusable coffee cup. Search for your local café that discounts BYO cups at Responsible cafes.

Coffee cup lids

Method: Recycling bin

Condition:  Separated from the cup.

Other: Bioplastics (plastics made from natural materials) cannot be recycled and need to be disposed in the household rubbish bin or through a commercial composting service. 

Cooking Oil

Method: Rubbish bin

Condition: Small quantities of cooking oil only. Pour the oil in a container prior to disposing.

Other: Larger quantities of cooking oil can be disposed at the mobile Detox Your Home Event. Find the full list of accepted materials and date and location of the next event at Detox Your Home.

Computers

Method: Free at Tyabb, Mornington and Rye Resource Recovery Centres 

Condition: To protect your privacy it is important to delete any sensitive information from your devices. Every computer is different, so we encourage you to check with the item’s manufacturer to ensure you know the best way to securely remove all data. Residents are responsible for removing all private data from your device before dropping it off for recycling

Corks

Method: Rubbish bin

Other: There are currently no cork recyclers on the Peninsula, reuse your corks in your next craft project.

Cream canisters

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Empty.

Cutlery (metal)

Method: Rubbish bin

Cutlery (plastic)

Method: Rubbish bin

Disposable Nappies

Method: Rubbish bin

Other: Rebates are available for reusable/cloth nappies.

Drink cartons (milk and juice)

Method: Recycle bin

Condition: Please empty and rinse cartons before placing in the recycling bin. Lids off and disposed in rubbish bin

Electronic Waste (E-waste)

Method: Tyabb, Mornington and Rye Resource Recovery Centres 

Condition: Fees and charges apply for air conditioners, fridges and freezers and other items classes as hard waste. Items will be assessed by the gatehouse staff at entry. Disposal of computers, computer accessories like keyboards moderns and mouses, TVs, printers and small electrical items such as kettles and microwaves are free.

Other: As of 1 July 2019, all e-waste has been banned from landfill. Electronic Waste (e-waste) is anything with a plug, cord and/or battery. E-waste contains valuable resources we can reuse. E-waste also contains harmful chemicals and toxins.  

Free disposal of mobile phones at major phone retailers. 

Find out more about what happens to your e-waste and how to protect your data at the E-waste ban or Take your e-waste to a better place

Envelopes

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Removing the envelope window is ideal, but not necessary. The plastic will be filtered out after the envelope is shredded. 

Foam and Polystyrene trays

Method: Rubbish bin

Food waste

Method: Rubbish bin or Green bin from 19 July 2021

Other: Compost your food waste at home. The shire offers Compost rebates to help residents to obtain discounted compost bins, worm farms or bokashi systems to encourage composting and reduce food waste going to landfill. Households, child centres and schools are eligible for the rebates

Fridges and Freezers

Method: Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centres.

Condition: Free disposal of up to two domestic fridges, freezers and air conditioners with a limit of 2 per day for residents. Fees and charges apply for Non-residents and Commercial customers.

Furniture

Method: Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centres or Booked Hard Waste collection

Condition: Fees and charges apply, or waste vouchers can also be redeemed

Other: Good condition furniture can be donated to charity. Brotherhood of St Laurence and St Vincent de Paul Society may collect from your home, book early to arrange a collection. 

Gas Bottles

Method: Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centres

Condition:

Accepted: domestic LPG gas bottles no greater than 9kg. Disposal is free. Fire extinguishers, car gas tanks, domestic household gas tanks.

Not accepted: butane gas cartridges/canisters (used for camping stoves), oxygen gas tanks, welding gas tanks. These can only be disposed of at Detox Your Home events.

Glass (bottles and jars)

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Unbroken only, bottle tops should be screwed on to the bottles and put in the recycling bin, loose bottle tops are too small and will fall through the machinery at the sorting facility and be sent to landfill.

Other: Broken glass bottles and jars should be wrapped in paper and placed in your rubbish bin.

Glass (other than bottles and jars)

Method: Rubbish bin

Other: Glass items such as windows, mirrors, cups and Pyrex do not melt at the same temperature as bottles and jars.

Glasses (sight)

Method:  Lions Recycle for Sight Australia

Other: Your local optometrist may also accept donated glasses.

Green Waste

Method: Green waste bin

Condition: Only green waste such as lawn clippings, branches, garden prunings, leaves and timber that is no greater than 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length.

Please do not contaminate your green waste with plastic, metal or concrete.

Green Waste (excess)

Method: Booked green waste collection

Condition: Large branches should be bundled and tied. Loose garden refuse (leaves, lawn clippings) should be placed in containers (not bags) that can be returned.

Other: To book your green waste collection from your kerbside call 5950 1406

If you would like to order a green waste bin or an additional green waste bin you can order one online or call the Shire on 1300 850 600 or 5950 1000. An annual fee is applicable.

Inflatable pools and floaties

Method: Rubbish bin

Condition: Broken or damaged only.

Other: Items in good condition can be taken to your local Op Shop or Mornington Recycled Goods Store.

Junk Mail

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Please remove the plastic sleeve on the envelopes where possible prior to disposal.

Other: If you do not wish to receive junk mail, you can place a No Advertising Material sticker on your letter box. For your free sticker, send an envelope containing a stamped self-addressed envelope to the Distribution Standards Board

Light Globes (Fluorescents)

Method: Rye, Tyabb and Mornington Resource Recovery Centres.

Condition: Unbroken only. Broken globes and tubes must be wrapped in paper and disposed of in the rubbish bin.

Light Globes (Other than Fluorescents)

Method: Rubbish bin

Condition: Light globes need to be wrapped in paper prior to being disposed.

Logs

Method: Tyabb, Mornington and Rye Resource Recovery Centres

Condition: Fees and charges apply

Other: Smaller logs, less than 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length, can be placed into the green waste bins. 

Magazines

Method: Recycle bin

Mattresses

Method:  Rye, Tyabb and Mornington Resource Recovery Centres.

Conditions: Free disposal of up to 4 mattresses per day for residents. Fees and charges apply for Non-residents and Commercial customers.

Meat trays (plastic)

Method: Recycling bin

Meat trays (foam/polystyrene)

Method: Rubbish bin

Medicine

Method: Returned to your local pharmacy

Other: Unwanted or expired human and pet medicines (prescriptions, over-the-counter pills, gels, topical creams, herbal or complementary supplements and liquids) can be returned to your local pharmacy. Packaging should be disposed of separately. Medicines should never go into kerbside waste bins, down the sink or toilet.

Metal (scrap aluminium & steel)

Method: Free at Rye, Tyabb and Mornington Resource Recycle Centres.

Milk Bottles (plastic)

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Bottle tops should be screwed on to the bottles and put in the recycling bin, loose bottle tops are too small and will fall through the machinery at the sorting facility and be sent to landfill.

Mobile phones

Method:  Free at Tyabb, Mornington and Rye Resource Recovery Centres.

Other: Phones can also be dropped off at participating Mobile Muster retailers or at Zoos Victoria collection points. 

Motor Oil

Method: Tyabb, Mornington and Rye Resource Recovery Centres.

Condition: Up to 20 litres per day  may be disposed of free of charge.

Needles and Syringes

Method: Needle and Syringe Program Locations

Other: The Victorian Government’s Needle and Syringe Program safely collects needles from a range of service providers. To find your nearest location, visit Needle and Syringe Program Locations.

Netting bag (fruits and vegetables)

Method: Supermarket Soft Plastics

Condition: Please remove any metal clips. 

Other: Find your nearest REDcycle collection point

Paint

Method: Free at Rye, Tyabb and Mornington Resource Recycle Centres

Condition: Up to 100 litres of household and trade. Paint must be carried in secure containers no larger than 20 litres.

Paint tins

Method: Free at Tyabb, Rye and Mornington Resource and Recovery Centres 

Conditions: Empty paint tins only. Full or partially full see - Paint

Paper bags

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Material handles (if present) to be removed and disposed of in the rubbish bin

Paper plates

Method: Rubbish bin

Paper (shredded)

Method: Rubbish bin – Green bin from 19 July 2021

Other: Shredded paper fall through sorting rolls and hence, cannot be collected at the Materials Recovery Facility. You can also compost or donate shredded paper to the pet store.

Paper towel, napkins or tissues

Method: Rubbish bin – Green bin from 19 July 2021

Other: Paper towels are produced through methods that improve its absorbability; chemicals may be added to hold the fibres in paper when wet. If you have a home compost system some items can also be composted.

Pill packets

Method: Rubbish bin

Other: Pill packets with plastic backing cannot be recycled. Pill packets made from only aluminium can be recycled through your household recycling bin. Scrunch your aluminium into a ball the size of a golf ball to increase the probability of it being recycled.

Pizza boxes

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Only the clean or slightly greased parts of the box. If the bottom of the box contains a large amount of grease, rip off the top of the box and place in the recycling bin. The bottom of the box with grease can then be disposed in the rubbish bin.  

Plant Pots

Method: Recycling bin or at the Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centres for no charge.

Plastics (rigid/hard)

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Only plastics that cannot be easily scrunched into a ball and retain their shape. Examples of hard plastics include milk bottles, soft drink bottles, cordial bottles, detergent bottles, ice cream containers, margarine containers, takeaway containers and yogurt containers.

Please note that the Plastic Identification Code (number inside the recycling symbol) does not indicate that a product can be recycled through your household recycling bin.  

  • Rinse out your containers before recycling.  
  • Bottle tops should be screwed on to the bottles and put in the recycling bin, loose bottle tops are too small and will fall through the machinery at the sorting facility and be sent to landfill.
  • Separate larger plastic lids, for example container lids, and place in recycling bin. 

Plastics (soft/flexible)

Method: Rubbish bin

Condition: Plastics that can easily scrunch into a ball. Examples of soft plastics include plastic bags, packaging, bubble wrap, cling wrap and old green bags.

Note that the Plastic Identification Code (number inside the recycling symbol) does not indicate if an item can be recycled and must not be used.

Other: Supermarket Soft Plastics - Temporary Closure. REDcycle regrets to announce that it will temporarily pause its soft plastics collection program from 9 November 2022. 

Plastic bottles

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Scrunch the bottles and replace lids so they can also be recycled. loose bottle topsare too small and will fall through the machinery at the sorting facility and be sent to landfill.

Plastic packaging

Method: Rubbish Bin

Other: Supermarket Soft Plastics - Temporary Closure. REDcycle regrets to announce that it will temporarily pause its soft plastics collection program from 9 November 2022.

Plastic knives, forks and spoons

Method: Rubbish bin

Plastic plates

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: rinse off food

Plastic toys

Method: Rubbish bin

Condition: All plastic toys with an electrical component (battery, cord or plug) must be taken to the Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centres.

Other: Plastic toys in good condition can be taken to your local Op shop or the Mornington Recycled Goods Store.

Photographs

Method: Rubbish bin

Polystyrene/Styrofoam

Method: We are trialling recovering polystyrene and styrofoam at Mornington Resource Recovery Centre only. Please note that existing gatehouse fees will apply for dropping off this material at the Resource Recovery Centre.Mornington Resource Recovery Centre

Condition:  Clean expanded polystyrene (EPS) only such as:

  • Packaging for small & large appliances (e.g., big screen TV’s, dishwashers & oven packaging)
  • White polystyrene fruit & vegetable boxes (clean boxes only - all organic material & labels must be removed prior to recycling)
  • Bean bag beans  
  • Please note that collection is limited to UP TO one car boot load of EPS at a time for household drop-offs  - domestic quantities/ material only

What can’t be recycled: 

  • Coloured polystyrene
  • Food packaging
  • Peanut-shaped loose foam packaging
  • Meat trays
  • Tape or strapping
  • Plastic or foam wrapping
  • Any EPS products that feature paper/plastic labels
  • Polystyrene covered in dirt, concrete, or cement, or any commercial/ construction quantities

Other: For other drop off location, visit Expanded Polystyrene Australia . Fees may apply.

Pots and Pans

Method: Recycling bin

Conditions: metal base only

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)

Method: Rubbish bin

Other: The swab, buffer tube and cassette (the part that shows your result) must all go in the rubbish bin in a sealed bag. Why?  Because it contains biological material.

Cardboard and paper packaging can be disposed of in the recycling bin.

Shampoo and Conditioner bottles

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Remove lids where possible and place in rubbish bin

Smoke detectors

Method: Rubbish bin

Condition: Remove batteries prior to disposal. Commercial or industrial smoke detectors containing Americium-241 in excess of 40kBq of activity or containing any other substance are required to be returned to the seller for disposal.

Solar (PV) Panels

Method: Free at Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centres

Condition: Domestic quantities only.

Steel Cans

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Empty and rinsed.

Take away containers (plastic)

Method: Recycling bin

Condition: Empty and rinsed.

Tea bags

Method: Rubbish bin

Other: Compost if tea bags are plastic free

Tea leaves

Method: Compost or Green bin from 19 July 2021

Televisions

Method: Free at Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centre 

Other: Drop off centres are also located at select retailers. Find your closet store at the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.

Timber (not treated)

Method: Green bin

Condition: Untreated and no greater than 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length

Other: larger items can be taken to the Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centres. Fees and charges apply.

Timber (treated)

Method: Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centre, fees and charges apply 

Toothpaste tube (including cap)

Method: Rubbish bin

Other: click here for public drop off locations

Tyres

Method: Rye, Mornington and Tyabb Resource Recovery Centres.

Conditions: Free disposal of up to 4 tyres per day for residents. Fees and charges apply for Non-residents and Commercial customers.

Waxed paper and cardboard

Method: Rubbish bin

Other: Waxed paper and cardboard often have a glossy appearance are coated with a thin layer of wax. 

White Goods

Method: Rye, Tyabb and Mornington Resource Recycle Centres  

Condition: Free disposal of up two to domestic fridges, freezers and air conditioners with a limit of 2 per day for residents. Fees and charges apply for Non-residents and Commercial customers.

Windows

Method: Rubbish bin

Condition: Wrap in paper

Other: Larger windows can also be taken to the Tyabb, Mornington or Rye Resource Recovery Centres. Fees and charges apply.

Video Tapes

Method: Rubbish bin 

Other: Video tapes in working  condition can be taken to your local Op shop or the Mornington Recycled Goods Store.

X-rays

Method: Free at the Mornington Resource Recovery ONLY. The x-ray bin is located in the Detox Your Home section, left entrance before the gatehouse.

Other: Some pathologies may also accept old x-ray films. Remove all personal information before disposal.

Zip lock bags

Method: Rubbish Bin

Other: Supermarket Soft Plastics - Temporary Closure. REDcycle regrets to announce that it will temporarily pause its soft plastics collection program from 9 November 2022.