Recycling in Melbourne isn’t just about “putting stuff in the yellow bin.” With evolving waste policies, varied council rules, and more emphasis on what goes where, understanding what items can and cannot be recycled properly is essential to reducing landfill, avoiding contamination, and getting the best outcomes for the environment.
In 2026, Melbourne’s waste system still faces challenges — including public confusion over plastics, soft materials, and electronics — which has contributed to significant recycling inefficiencies and industry strain.
This guide breaks down exactly what you can and can’t recycle in Melbourne’s household system, plus where to take items that don’t belong in kerbside recycling.
Melbourne councils generally provide a multi-bin residential waste system that separates:
Each council sets its own collection rules, so while the broad categories are similar across Melbourne, the accepted list can vary slightly by suburb. Always check your local council’s guide for specifics.
Items accepted usually include:
These are widely recyclable across Melbourne councils when clean and dry.
💡 Tip: Fold cardboard and keep paper loose — no bags. Contamination (like food scraps) can cause recyclable fibres to be rejected.
Recyclable metals include:
All of these can be placed in your yellow-lidded recycling bin.
Melbourne councils generally accept:
These materials can be recycled because they have established markets and processing systems.
Glass food and beverage bottles and jars are recyclable, often through:
They must be clean and empty.
📍 Note: Some councils have phased glass out of mixed recycling into dedicated glass bins for better processing efficiency.
Despite common misconceptions, many everyday items do not belong in the yellow bin — and putting them there can contaminate recycling loads, causing entire batches to go to landfill.
Soft plastic films — such as:
These cannot be recycled via the kerbside bin because they jam sorting machinery and have no mainstream recycling market yet.
💡 Some private drop-off schemes exist in shopping centres, but availability varies and may not be widely accessible.
Disposable coffee cups, takeaway cups, and lids typically have plastic coatings that cannot be recycled in standard household recycling and must go in rubbish or specialised collection programs.
Old clothes, shoes, sheets, and fabrics block and tangle in recycling machines, so these should never go in your recycling bin. Consider donation, reuse, or specialist textile recycling services.
Any item with a battery or plug — including phones, laptops, cables, microwaves, and power tools — cannot go in recycled bins. E-waste is banned from landfill in Victoria and must be taken to authorised drop-off points.
Household batteries (including lithium rechargeable batteries) cannot go in recycling or rubbish bins and must be returned to designated collection stations at supermarkets, hardware stores, or council facilities.
Food-soiled cardboard, paper towels, tissues, and food scraps cannot be recycled and go either in your FOGO bin (if available) or general waste if not compostable locally.
Furniture, mattresses, carpets, and similar bulky wastes aren’t processed through kerbside recycling. Instead, book council hard rubbish services or arrange for professional removal and recycling.
Some items don’t fit into the standard bin system but can still be responsibly recycled:
Take e-waste to:
Hazardous materials like paint, motor oil, pesticides or solvents require Detox Your Home or similar council hazardous waste disposal events.
Furniture and large bulky waste are usually managed through:
Australia’s recycling system is under strain as cheap imported plastics flood the market and contamination rates remain high. There’s growing concern that recycling infrastructure cannot keep up — threatening the effectiveness of the whole system.
When non-recyclables go into recycling bins:
That’s why understanding local rules is more important than ever.
✔️ Rinse and empty containers before recycling
✔️ Keep materials loose — no bags in recycling bins
✔️ Check council A-Z guides for specific items
✔️ Use specialised drop-off points for soft plastics, batteries, and e-waste
✔️ Flatten and stack cardboard to save space
These small habits boost recycling quality and reduce landfill waste.
Melbourne’s recycling system in 2026 still has limitations. Knowing what can and can’t be recycled through kerbside services helps you avoid contamination, do the right thing for the environment, and ensure your recyclables actually become new products.
When in doubt, always check your local council’s official waste and recycling guide — it will have the most up-to-date and area-specific advice.
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