Public recycling bins around Knox have either a blue lid or yellow lid. In 2024, Council will start updating our public recycling bin lids to yellow to match with the Victorian standardised colours.
When to put your recycling bin out
Your bins are emptied on the same day each week, once a fortnight, including all public holidays. They should be placed at the collection point by 6am of your collection day.
Use our online tool to check when your household rubbish collection day is:
Waste calendars
You can also download our waste calendars and view waste maps and zones of Knox:
What goes in your recycling bin
Put all recyclable items into your bin loose. They won't be sorted if packed in plastic bags.
Use your blue lid bin for:
- wrapping paper made from paper and has no glitter on it
- greeting cards and envelopes with or without a window
- magazines and newspapers
- egg cartons if they contain any stuck, broken egg-shell, put that part into the Food & Garden bin
- pizza boxes - make sure they are completely empty and if more than two-thirds greasy, rip the box in half and put that half into your food and garden bin
- paper and cardboard no need to take off tape or staples first
- scrap paper
- aluminum and steel aerosol cans only if completely empty
- hard plastic packaging and emptied food containers e.g. any plastic that is rigid and holds its shape
- aluminum baking trays empty, rinsed/unrinsed
- aluminum foil empty, rinsed and scrunch into a loose ball
- steel or aluminum cans and tins rinsed - lids can be put back into tin and top of can squished together
- glass bottles and jars - lids off and place all loose into the recycling (empty, rinsed/unrinsed)
- milk and juice cartons or bottles - squish, empty (rinsed/unrinsed) bottles and then leave small lids on.
- small plastic bottles - lids on, empty, rinsed and squashed.
- plastic meat trays - cardboard ones must have any light plastic film removed first.
What doesn't go in your recycling bin
Do not use your blue lid bin for:
- soft plastics
- plastic bags - any recyclables in plastic bags will end up in landfill
- general rubbish and waste
- batteries - Bunnings, Coles, Woolworths and Officeworks collect batteries for recycling
- take-away coffee cups - no lids or cups
- nappies
- polystyrene
- polystyrene meat trays
- green waste
- e-waste and electrical items - check Knox Gate Prices at Knox Transfer Stations & Recycling Facilities - charges may apply
- timber, bricks, rubble, steel or building materials
- syringes - visit our Customer Service center for a free sharps container
- hot ashes - must be completely cold before you put them in the bin
- chemicals or hazardous waste - attend our annual, FREE, Detox Your Home Day to get rid of some of these items safely
- fluids or liquids - check Knox Transfer Stations & Recycling Facilities - charges may apply.
Soft plastics
REDcycle's soft plastic recycling program is currently on pause. Please put all soft plastics in your household rubbish bin until further notice.
A-Z rubbish and recycling guide
View Council's guide to rubbish and recycling in Knox:
View A-Z rubbish and recycling guide
Putting your bins out
When putting your bins out:
- put them out before 6 am on collection day
- return them to your property within 24 hours
- place bins at least 50 cm apart
- face wheels and handles away from the kerb
- leave 1-metre clearance from obstacles, including cars, trees and light poles
- close lids completely to prevent animals accessing the bins, and the wind blowing litter into the street
- don't overfill (max weight 50 kg)
- don't place rubbish beside your bin
- in a court, place bins along the straight section.
Missed bin collection
If your bin isn't collected by 6 pm on collection day, report it within 36 hours.
Check your bin day before reporting a missed collection.
Report a missed bin collection
Or call us on 9298 8000.
We aim to collect reported missed bins within 2 business days.
If you find a sticker on your bin or a notice in your letterbox, follow the directions on the sticker or notice.
Report a bin issue
If a bin at your property has been damaged, stolen or gone missing, you can report it online.
Tenants, property owners and real estate agents can make these reports. Bins will be replaced at no extra cost.
We aim to complete requests within 5 business days.
Order new bins
If you are the owner of a new property or find that you need extra bins at your property, you can make these requests online.
Only property owners or real estate agents can make these requests. Tenants should contact their landlord or agent.
We aim to complete requests within 5 business days.
Cancel a bin
If you find that there's a bin on your property that you no longer need or use, you can cancel your bin online.
Only property owners or real estate agents can make these requests. Tenants should contact their landlord or agent.
When cancelling a bin service, leave the empty bin out after collection. We'll collect it within 5 days.
For information on the fees and charges for cancelling your bin, visit the bin fees page.
To understand how cancelling a bin service will affect your rates as a property owner, visit our About your rates page.
E-waste
E-waste is anything that has a power cord, plug or batteries. Do not put e-waste in rubbish or recycling bins.
To find out more about e-waste visit our e-waste page.
Need help?
Contact us and we will get back to you.
Or call our Customer Service team on 9298 8000.
