Recyclables collection

Your blue lid mixed recycling bin is used for the collection of recyclable containers and paper items. 

When is my mixed recycling collected?

Recycling bin with blue lid

Your mixed recycling (blue lid) is collected fortnightly on the same day as your general waste collection and the alternate week to your food organics and garden organics (FOGO) bin.

Check your next collection day

or see a printable waste calendar

Find out how to get rid of all your unwanted waste and household items using our alphabetical guide (A to Z).

Mixed recycling guidelines

What can go in your mixed recycling bin

Paper and cardboard

  • advertising materials
  • books
  • boxes (flattened)
  • cardboard
  • cards and postcards
  • cartons
  • cereal boxes
  • deli/butchers paper
  • egg cartons
  • envelopes
  • glossy paper
  • juice cartons
  • junk mail
  • long life milk cartons (e.g. milk, stock cartons, plant based milk)
  • newspapers
  • magazines
  • manilla folders
  • match boxes
  • office paper
  • paper
  • paper bags
  • paper plates
  • paper towel rolls
  • paper/cardboard tubes
  • phone books
  • pizza boxes
  • scrap paper
  • take-away containers
  • telephone books
  • toilet paper rolls
  • washing powder boxes (flattened)
  • wrapping paper

Read more about which plastics can be recycled.

  • berry punnets
  • biscuit trays
  • bottles
  • cake trays
  • cooking oil bottles
  • condiment bottles
  • conditioner bottles
  • cordial bottles
  • cleaning product bottles
  • detergent bottles
  • deodorant roll-ons
  • food trays
  • ice cream containers
  • juice bottles
  • laundry containers
  • margarine containers
  • medicine bottles
  • meat trays
  • milk bottles
  • plastic lids
  • plastic plates
  • plant pots (empty)
  • shampoo bottles
  • soap pump bottles
  • soft drink bottles
  • spray bottles
  • takeaway containers
  • tomato punnets
  • plastic tubs
  • vegetable punnets
  • vitamin bottles
  • water bottles
  • yoghurt containers
  • aerosol cans
    • air freshener spray cans
    • cooking oil spray cans
    • deodorant spray cans
    • hair spray cans
    • inspect spray cans
    • spray paint cans (empty)
    • whipped cream cans
  • aluminium cans
    • beer cans
    • soft drink cans
  • aluminium trays (scraped clean)
  • aluminium foil, including Easter foil wrapping, with solid food removed (roll into a ball)
  • baby formula tins
  • food cans/tins
    • canned fruit
    • canned vegetables
    • canned soup
    • canned beans
    • canned lentils
    • tuna/fish cans
  • hot chocolate/drink tins
    • milo tins
    • coffee tins
    • baby formula tins
  • jar lids
  • oil tins (empty)
  • paint tins (empty)
  • pet food tins
  • beer bottles
  • condiment bottles and jars
  • cosmetic jars
  • glass bottles
  • glass jars
  • glass medicine bottles
  • soft drink bottles
  • jam jars
  • jars
  • medicine bottle
  • nut butter jar
  • oil bottles (empty)
  • pasta sauce jars
  • pickle jars
  • sauce jars
  • spirit bottles
  • vegemite jars
  • vinegar bottles
  • vitamin bottles
  • wine bottles 

What can't go in your mixed recycling bin

We do not accept

  • Batteries
  • Recycling in plastic bags
  • Plastic bags
  • Soft plastic packaging eg. bread bags, chip packets, pasta packets, frozen peas packets
  • Cling wrap
  • Window glass
  • Mirrors
  • Drinking glass
  • Light globes
  • Pyrex
  • Polystyrene
  • Rubber
  • Tissues
  • Nappies
  • Syringes and needles
  • Wood
  • Textiles
  • Appliances / electronic waste
  • Food scraps
  • Green waste
  • Medical, chemical or hazardous waste
  • Waxed or soiled cardboard.

Please wrap Pyrex, white glass, mirrors, drinking glasses, light globes and ceramics in newspaper for safety and put these in your general waste bin.

Contact us on 1300 88 22 33 if you are unsure on what can be recycled in Maroondah.

How to fill your bin

  • Place items loosely in the bin, not in plastic bags
  • Scrape food solids into the FOGO bin.
  • Rinse bottles, jars and cans before placing in the mixed recycling bin - be waterwise and use washing-up water
  • Squash the air out of your plastic milk or soft drink bottles then place the plastic lid back on as this helps the lid to get through the sorting process
  • Tear and crush large cardboard pieces to save space and prevent them from becoming jammed in the bin
  • Do not overfill your bin, as this can lead to spillage and litter problems
  • Keep your mixed recycling bin under 40kg, or it may not be collected
  • Check aerosol cans are empty before placing them in the recycling bin. 

Request an additional mixed recycling bin

As a resident, you can also request a free second mixed recycling bin.  Conditions apply so please contact Council on 1300 88 22 33 to check if you’re eligible. 

Dual occupancies, units and flats

Some multi-dwelling developments have a 'share' system for their mixed recycling and FOGO bins due to storage and bin placement issues. This is determined on an individual basis by our Waste Management Unit.

What happens to the recyclable materials?

Once the truck is full it takes the recyclables to the VISY Recovery Facility in Springvale where a combination of manual (hand) and automated (machine) sorting separates the different materials.

Once sorted:

  • glass is made into new glass bottles and road base
  • paper and cardboard is recycled back into newspapers, packaging, toilet paper, insulation and building products
  • milk and juice cartons are recycled into writing and photocopying paper
  • plastic containers are made into textiles, trays, garbage bins and plant pots
  • steel and aerosol cans are used to make new cans, train tracks and building materials
  • aluminium cans are turned into new aluminium cans.

Download and view the below fact sheets to see how each of the recyclable materials are reprocessed into new products.

Please note: The fact sheets show a yellow lidded recycling bin as this is the National Standard colour that all Council's must move towards by 2030. 

Accessibility

Our Rubbish collections in Easy English webpage gives you information that is clear and easy to understand. It is designed for people that find it hard to read, because of a disability or when English is not their main language.

Braille bin stickers

Braille bin stickers are available to residents who are blind or have low vision to help identify:

  • General rubbish bin
  • Mixed recycling bin
  • Food and garden organics bin

The stickers measure 10cm x 2cm and can be stuck to the lid, the side or front of the bin.

Stickers can be collected from Council’s customer service centres at Realm and Croydon. If you or someone you know needs a sticker to be posted, please email maroondah@maroondah.vic.gov.au or contact us on 1300 88 22 33 or (03) 9298 4598

Latest news in Waste and Recycling

Waste and sustainability events

Waste and sustainability monthly newsletter

Sign up to find out about seminars, workshops, and events as well as information on educational presentations for schools and community groups.

Subscribe to our newsletter

See past editions

Look up your collection day

Enter your address to check your next collection

See a printable waste calendar