Four bin system

The four-bin collection service started on 3 February 2020 in major townships and was fully rolled out in remaining areas of the shire in July 2021. The four streams consist of glass-only (purple lid), comingled recycling (yellow lid), FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) (lime green), and rubbish/general waste (red lid).

This service aligns with the objectives and goals of the Waste and Resource Recovery Management Strategy 2021-2026. The central focus of the strategy is the diversion of waste from landfill.

The Kerbside Collection and Associated Services Charge Policy outlines how the four-bin collection service works. 

Why this change?

Under the Victorian Government’s Circular Economy Policy released in February 2020, all Victorian councils must have a standard four-bin system or equivalent by 2030 to achieve more and better recycling and less landfill.

Additionally, Victoria is running out of landfill space, which can increase the cost to dispose of waste, which attracts a fee known as the ‘EPA Waste levy’. This cost is passed directly onto ratepayers through the waste charge on your rates notice. By introducing the four-bin system, we can minimize future cost increases by diverting materials away from landfill.

Achievements so far

We are one of the first councils in Victoria to have introduced a four-bin system, and in February 2023 we celebrated 3 years of the new service.

The table below demonstrates the success of our high diversion rate (as of end February 2023):

Stream           Tonnage CO2 emission Cars off road (equivalent)  Houses powered (equivalent) 
FOGO 28,938 84,499 18,207 16,442
Glass-only 5,733 16,915 3,645 3,291
Recycling   8,421 24,842 5,353 4,834
  • 5,733 tonnes of glass was sent to ASQ in Bendigo and is being repurposed into the road base materials.
  • 28,938 tonnes of FOGO material sent to BIOMIX in Stanhope and is being turned into Australian standard compost.
  • 8,421 tonnes of comingled recycling was sent to APR in Truganina for processing of paper/cardboard, steel, aluminium, and plastics categories 1, 2 and 5.
  • The annual waste charge for 2022/23 has not increased although the State Government Waste Levy has increased.
  • Monthly landfill diversion rate has increased from 39 percent in January 2020 (pre- introduction) to 74 percent, which is much higher than the average Victorian municipal diversion rate of 45 percent recorded for 2019/20.

We know our community is committed to reducing waste and we thank you for your cooperation during this transition. Together we can continue to reduce waste to keep our shire beautiful and sustainable.

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