With the end of the festive season, the disposal of unwanted Christmas trees and other Christmas related material can be a confusing issue for residents.  To clarify and streamline this process please see below for residents options in regard to Christmas tree disposal.

Option 1: Residents may dispose of Christmas trees, free of charge, at the Port Phillip transfer Station - located on the corner of White and Boundary Streets in South Melbourne.

Option 2: Christmas trees may also be disposed of by making a booking with Council's Hard and Green waste collection service.  To make a booking call 9209 6777.

Since 2005 the council has been using a new new system for collecting hard and green waste. Based on feedback from residents we have changed from regular scheduled pick-ups to booked pickups to deliver more frequent collections.

The new system is simple. To have your hard and green waste collected, first call the council to book a FREE collection from your Port Phillip property (four free collections per year).

Bookings are essential. If you don't book, your waste won't be collected and you might find yourself facing a fine for littering or illegally dumping rubbish. To book this session contact ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or use eServices.  

For more information on this service please see the hard and green waste booking service brochure here.

Will there be any more scheduled collections?

The council no longer schedules twice yearly collections. Instead, the council is collecting hard and green waste all year round. Feedback from residents showed that they thought two hard and green waste collections a year was not enough. Aside from that, when the hard and green waste collections were on, there was lots of rubbish on the street and the city looked unsightly!

So we've doubled the number of collections and provided a system where residents can call us when they want their hard and green waste collected.

How long will I have to wait before my hard and green waste is collected?

Depending on which area we are collecting from at the time, residents will wait between three days to one week for the collection. It is best to call us to book in and then get your waste ready for collection. Rubbish MUST NOT go out until the day before your collection date.

What happens after I have had four collections?

Each property has up to four free collections per year. After that, there is a small charge of $29 for all collections of hard waste and green waste.

What if I live in a Flat, Unit or Apartment?

Blocks of Flats, Apartments and Units can also have four free pickups per year for the property.  Joint collections should be arranged through the property manager or body corporate.

What is classified as a property?

A stand alone property, house or apartment block is classified as a property. It is important to keep this in mind if you live in a block of apartments, as there will only be four free collections for the block. When you need a hard and green waste collection, it's a good idea to tell your neighbours or the body corporate, so they can spread the word and maximise the opportunity. So be neighbourly and tell your neighbours when you've booked in!

Will any of my hard waste be recycled?

No. Hard waste put out for collection will go to landfill.  However, if you have goods for disposal that you think are still useful you may want to try advertising the goods on this free community recycling site. 

Freecycle -The Freecycle Network is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns.

Will you collect my rubbish if I don't book?

No. We will only collect hard and green waste if it has been booked in as a collection. Residents who place their waste on the curb can be fined for littering. It is essential to call us and book in your collection before you place anything out curbside or in a lane.

How much hard and green waste can I put out?

Residents can place up to two cubic metres of  hard and green waste out for collection and no less than half a cubic metre. So if you have a combination of hard and green waste, you can have up to four cubic metres of waste. 

All waste needs to be no longer than 1.5 metres and no heavier than 50 kg. The reason is that two men will be carrying your hard and green waste to the pick up truck, so keep that in mind!

Does this affect my household rubbish collection?

Not in any way whatsoever. Rubbish collection will continue as normal. This will only change the way hard and green waste is collected.

Clean, green garden waste can also be left at the Port Phillip Transfer Station at South Melbourne at no charge to residents. All contractors and non-residents will be charged a fee for garden waste drop-off.  (No weeds, ivy or soil please, as garden waste is mulched.)

Soil/fill can be taken to landfill sites at either Clayton, Dingley or Sunshine. For more information, go to our Port Phillip Transfer Station section.

Use  eServices to ask us a question about hard and green waste collection, or request a pickup. If you prefer you can call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 and ask for Hard and Green Waste Pickup.