Rubbish bin lids are changing
From Monday, 28 April 2025, we will be changing the colour of rubbish bin lids from yellow to red to align with Victorian standards.
Rubbish bin lids will be changing from yellow to red
What you need to do
From Monday 28 April, on your usual rubbish collection day:
- Leave your rubbish bin out until 6 pm, even if it’s empty.
- If your bin lid isn’t replaced by 6 pm, bring it back in and put it out again on your next rubbish collection day.
The team collecting your rubbish may not be the same team changing your bin lids.
If we miss you
Your bin lid might not be changed if:
- Your rubbish bin wasn't out when we came to replace the lid, or
- Your whole bin needs replacing due to damage or an older style bin
Check your letterbox for a postcard with instructions of what to do next.
Keep placing your bin out until 6 pm on your rubbish collection day until the lid is replaced.
How long it will take
We have over 60,000 bin lids to replace, so this process will take some time.
You don’t need to contact us if your lid hasn’t been changed yet or if your neighbours has been replaced but yours hasn’t—we’ll get to you.
Please only contact us if you haven’t received your new lid by 1 October.
Normal repairs
When rubbish lids are being changed, rubbish bins bodies are checked to see if they are still usable and compatible with the new red lid. If your lid has been changed successfully, it means your bin is considered to be in good working condition.
If you believe your rubbish bin has been assessed incorrectly and is not in good working order, contact us.
Bin replacement noted by contractor
If your bin was assessed and classified as too damaged for the lid to be changed or, your current rubbish bin body is incompatible with the new red lids, you will be provided with a new bin and red lid.
You may receive your new bin and red lid immediately (on the same day the lid change was attempted) or, if this could not be done straight away, a postcard will be left in your letterbox letting you know what to do.
If you did not receive the postcard, please continue to leave your rubbish bin out until 6pm on your collection day until the lid has been changed. Contact us only if you have not received your new lid by 1 October.
Rubbish bin lids will be changing from yellow to red
Why bin lids are changing
In 2020 the Victorian Government introduced the Recycling Victoria: A New Economy Policy to reduce waste and improve recycling across the state.
By 2030, all councils will use the same bin lid colours statewide, including:
- green lid - food and garden organics (FOGO)
- yellow lid - recycling
- red lid - household rubbish
This change means:
- A consistent system across councils.
- Improved understanding of what goes in each bin.
- Reduced landfill waste and increased recycling.
- Old lids will be collected and recycled into new lids for use across Victoria.
For more information, visit the Recycling Victoria policy.
Food and garden service
In 2023, Knox moved to a mandatory food and garden service. Existing green waste bins received lime green lids. Collection shifted to fortnightly for rubbish bins while food and garden bins are collected weekly.
This service has helped Knox recycle 2,600 tonnes of organic material monthly, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 2,200 tonnes each month. Thanks to residents using the new food and garden service, Knox now diverts 74% of kerbside waste from landfill.
Residents can opt out of the food and garden service if they meet specific criteria, like home composting all organic material. Visit our Food and Garden page to learn more.
Recycling bin lid change
Following the change to rubbish bin lids, recycling bin lids will transition from blue to yellow in 2026 or 2027 to meet the new standards.
Glass recycling service
All households will have access to glass recycling by 2030. We are currently planning this service, with more updates to come.
Learn more about waste and recycling changes by visiting the Recycling Victoria: A New Economy Policy page.
Timeline - waste and recycling changes across Knox
- 2020: Recycling Victoria policy released.
- 2023: Food and garden service introduced in Knox.
- 2024: State government developed the Draft Household Waste and Recycling Service Standards and invited community feedback.
- 2025: Rubbish bin lids changing from yellow to red.
- 2026/2027: Recycling bin lids changing from blue to yellow.
- By 2030: Access to glass recycling for residents.
Page updates
This page was last updated on 25 March 2025.
