In This Section
Following major challenges in the recycling industry in 2019, the Victorian Government introduced a new plan to improve waste and recycling across the state. The plan makes it easier for households to sort and separate their waste, using the same system, no matter where they live in Victoria. These reforms aim to reduce landfill, cut emissions and increase recycling.
Under Victorian law, councils must provide households receiving a waste service with four separate bins:
Councils are required to use standard bin lid colours to make sorting waste easier for everyone. Council will support residents through this change to help reduce contamination, improve recycling and send less waste to landfill. The Victorian Government has also developed a draft standards list of what goes in each bin for every household. These reforms are being carefully planned and implemented by Council in line with our Towards Zero Waste Strategy. Since the legislation was adopted, Council has successfully rolled out food and garden organics (FOGO) services to all stand-alone houses, and the bin lid replacement program is currently underway.
What's next?
The next stage will introduce FOGO services to apartments and other multi-unit homes in July 2028. Council will decide on a separate glass recycling service after the Victorian Government releases the final Service Standards, which explains how the service must operate. Community updates will be shared via this page, along with updates on our progress against our Towards Zero Waste Strategy. Through our Towards Zero Waste Transformation Project, Council will focus on delivering efficient and environmentally sustainable waste services aligned with our Towards Zero Waste Strategy.
Community Action
We need your help to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. About 44% of what goes into our kerbside bins ends up in landfill. By putting the right items in the right bin, we can all help reduce waste and recycle more. Not sure which bin to use? Visit our What goes in each bin page, for easy guidance. If you need more help, or if your community group would like support, please contact Council at wasteresponse@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au - we're here to help.
Resources are available here:
Yes, food and garden organics bin lids have been updated or replaced as required. Dark green lid general rubbish bin lids have been replaced with red lids.
Businesses who receive a Council waste service will receive a red general rubbish bin lid.
No. Properties using private waste collection services are not currently affected by state government requirements.
Council will work with residents at properties with limited space and allocate shared bins for your property.
Yes, if your apartment block receives a Council waste service.
These changes will impact all households who receive a Council waste service, including renters and homeowners.
FOGO bins will become the standard service for households in Maribyrnong. Any food (raw or cooked) can be placed in your FOGO bin, including meat, seafood and bones. More information is available on our FOGO webpage.
This state government policy means households must have bins for organics, glass, mixed recycling and general rubbish. Because these services are mandatory, residents cannot opt out or return the bins provided.
Check what goes in each bin or search for an item on our A-Z Recycling Guide. We also have handy posters and resources available to download or print on our waste brochures and posters page.