Waste and recycling in apartments – what you need to know
In our City, many residents living in apartments receive a Council waste service. This typically includes a three-bin system:
- Garbage
- Mixed recycling
- Food and garden organics (FOGO)
However, not all apartment blocks are the same. Some are serviced by private waste operators, while others have a hybrid arrangement – a mix of Council and private services. This patchwork of providers can make it tricky to know exactly what’s available in your building.
Who can help?
If you’re unsure about your building’s waste and recycling setup, your Building Manager or Owners Corporation is your best first stop. They can tell you:
- who provides your waste services
- what bins and collections are available
- whether additional services can be requested.
Explore your bin room
In larger apartment complexes, it’s worth taking a closer look at your bin room. You might discover recycling options you didn’t know existed – like a dedicated FOGO bin for food and garden waste.
And if you think your building could benefit from a service that’s not currently offered, start by checking in with your Building Manager or Owners Corporation. They may be able to help arrange it.
Want better bin use in your building?
If your building receives a Council waste service, we offer free resources to help residents sort waste correctly and reduce contamination:
- Downloadable posters for bin rooms
- Corflute signs (posters) available at the St Kilda Town Hall ASSIST counter
Hard and Green waste collections
Got bulky items that won’t fit in your regular bin? If your building is on a Council waste service, you are entitled to six free hard and green waste collections each year.
To book a collection, just chat with your Owners Corporation or Building Manager – they’ll organise it for you. They can make a booking here: Hard and Green waste bookings.
Together, we can make apartment living cleaner, greener, and easier for everyone.