Have your say on our draft waste and recycling strategy
Since our current waste and recycling strategy was written, there have been legislative changes that impact how we can offer waste services in the future. By 1 July 2027, glass will no longer be accepted in the yellow bin. This means that we must provide a separate glass recycling service for all our residents.
At the same time, we need to continue increasing what we recycle and reducing what we send to landfill – for both environmental and financial reasons.
As our population grows, so too does the waste we generate – and the cost of managing it. This next strategy aims to minimise waste and deliver best practice waste management across our densely populated municipality.
Strategy highlights
Our strategy is built around three core objectives:
- Objective 1: Reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill
- Objective 2: Increase the recovery of valuable resources
- Objective 3: Provide a value-for-money service
Achieving these objectives over the next three years will require a range of actions.
To reduce waste to landfill, we will:
- introduce fortnightly garbage collection for houses and townhouses within the 2026/27 financial year
- strengthen litter management by introducing new procedures and litter enforcement officers
- develop our first Circular Economy Policy to guide Council and community.
To increase the recovery of resources, we will:
- deliver a kerbside glass service for houses, townhouses, and select units and apartments
- improve accessibility of existing and future communal glass hubs
- work with owners’ corporations and real estate agents to improve waste disposal behaviours among short-stay, student, international, and renter residents
- provide targeted and culturally appropriate resources and support to residents.
To provide a value for money service, we will:
- develop a waste charge policy that clearly explains service eligibility by property type
- review and update Council’s Waste Management Planning Guidelines to ensure consistency and best practice for future developments
- review bin distribution and placement, especially in laneways and for apartments and unit blocks.
Provide your feedback
To read our draft waste and recycling strategy and to provide feedback, visit our project page.
What is a ‘Circular Economy’ and why is it important?
A circular economy moves us away from a linear mindset where we take, use and throw away. Instead, it focuses on opportunities to reduce the environmental impacts of production and consumption through reuse, materials recovery and recycling.
The idea behind a circular economy is to keep materials in circulation for as long as possible. This can include maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, recycling and composting. By doing so, we reduce reliance on ‘virgin’ materials and minimise the destruction of natural resources.
For more information
For more information on our waste strategy consultation, visit our Have Your Say project page or call ASSIST on: 03 9209 6777.