Council must meet State waste and recycling standards. A clear policy helps ensure:

• Fair and consistent services
• Safe and reliable collections
• Less waste sent to landfill
• Better recycling and reuse of resources

These changes support Victoria’s circular economy goals.

A 2024 audit showed 15% contamination in recycling bins. Reducing this below 10% could save Council about $70,000 each year.

Council will introduce a staged approach to reduce contamination through:

1. Education and support
2. Targeted follow‑up
3. Enforcement only if issues continue

The waste collection policy is being updated to make services clearer and more consistent.

The main changes are:

• A three‑bin system for eligible homes:
  rubbish (red lid), recycling (yellow lid), and food and garden waste – FOGO (green lid).
• Clear rules that follow Victorian waste laws.
• Clearer costs, so people understand what they are paying for.
• More help to recycle correctly, with education and clear information.
• Rules about where bin services are provided, called declared collection areas.
• Option to request individual extra bins if your household needs them.

Overall, the new policy aims to make waste services easier to understand, fairer and better for the environment.

The Guideline explains how Council delivers waste services day to day.

It gives clear details about:

• How waste services work
• Who can use the services
• Service standards and rules
• How rubbish, recycling, food and garden waste, and hard waste are collected

What's the difference Policy vs Guideline?

The Policy explains what Council will provide and how services are charged.
The Guideline explains how the Policy is put into action.

This Guideline includes the full instructions Council staff need to deliver the services properly.

The Guideline can be updated over time to reflect:

• Service improvements
• Changes to how services operate
• New requirements from the State Government

Kerbside Services from 6 July 2026

Properties in declared collection areas will have a:

• Red lid bin – general rubbish
• Yellow lid bin – mixed recycling
• Green lid bin – food and garden organics (FOGO)

Some exemptions may apply where services are not practical.

Council will continue to provide one annual hard waste collection for eligible properties. While not required under legislation, this service helps residents dispose of bulky items responsibly and reduces illegal dumping.

The new FOGO (green lidded bin) service makes it easier to reduce waste and recycle food and garden materials. This will:

• Reduce landfill waste by around 3,000 tonnes per year
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions
• Turn organic waste into compost and soil products

Education and clear information will support households through the change.

These changes support the Council Plan 2025–29 to protect Wellington’s natural environment for future generations and will provide:

• Clearer rules
• Stronger contamination management
• More consistent service delivery for the community
• The opportunity for the community to achieve positive environmental outcomes