What goes in my bins?

What goes in my bins?

Understanding which items go in each bin will help you sort your waste.

Putting waste in the correct bin helps reduce the amount going to landfill. The less waste going to landfill, the better it is for the environment.

This guide will help you learn what can and can't go in each bin.

You can also find a more detailed list on the A to Z waste guide page.

Rubbish bin

Your rubbish bin should be a last resort for waste that can't go in your recycling or FOGO bin.

Remember there are options for hard to recycle items. These include McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre (The Tip) and the recycling units at the Council Centre.

What goes in my rubbish bin?

Put in Don't put in
✔ Plastic bags ✖ Batteries
✔ Foam packaging, cups and food trays ✖ E-waste
✔ Broken crockery and glassware ✖ Hazardous substances including chemicals, poison & paint
✔ Rags and textiles ✖ Florescent light globes and tubes
✔ Nappies and sanitary products ✖ Gas bottles
✔ Baby wipes and makeup removal wipes ✖ Re-usable items such as household items and clothes

Rubbish Bin Information Sheet(PDF, 868KB)

Recycling bin

Lots of materials can be recycled. Including about 12 per cent of what is currently going into general rubbish bins.

Some quick recycling tips:

  • put items into the recycling bin loose (not in plastic bags or bin liners).
  • scrape out food containers, no need to rinse.
  • containers must be empty, otherwise they will go to landfill.
  • screw lids back on containers after emptying.

There are many other items that can be recycled at The Tip or recycling units at the Council Centre. Including paint, batteries, e-waste, mobile phones, scrap metal and CFL light globes.

Items that are too good to throw away can find their next home at the Resource Work Cooperative (South Hobart Tip Shop). This can be anything from furniture and building materials, to clothing and toys. These items can be dropped off or even picked up for re-sale or recycling.

What goes in my recycling bin?

Put in Don't put in
✔ Hard plastics (bottles, lids, tubs etc.) ✖ Soft plastics (bags, bin liners)
✔ Paper and cardboard ✖ Polystyrene and foam trays, cups or packaging
✔ Glass jars ✖ Disposable coffee cups
✔ Steel and aluminium cans ✖ Clothing or fabric
✔ Milk and juice containers ✖ Milk, juice and long life product cartons
✔ Aluminium foil (balled up to the size of your fist) ✖ Nappies
✔ Aerosol cans ✖ Syringes

Recycling Bin Information Sheet(PDF, 453KB)

A-Z Recycling Sheet(PDF, 30KB)

Chinese Language Recycling Bin Fact Sheet(PDF, 522KB)

FOGO bin

The FOGO service collects the organic material generated in Hobart homes and businesses. We then compost it into nutrient rich soil. This reduces the amount of landfill and the generation of greenhouse gases.

If you need to dispose of large branches and excess waste, you can do so at The Tip.

What goes in my FOGO bin?

Put in Don't put in
✔ Cooked and uncooked food scraps ✖ Plastics and plastic bag and liners without composting certification*
✔ Leftovers ✖ Food packaging
✔ Dairy products ✖ Fruit stickers
✔ Meat and bones ✖ Liquids (for example, cooking oil)
✔ Egg shells ✖ Baby wipes and makeup removal wipes
✔ Coffee grounds and tea leaves ✖ Metals
✔ Soiled paper and cardboard ✖ Treated timber and building materials
✔ Paper towel and tissues ✖ Rocks, concrete and ceramics
✔ Grass clippings ✖ Treated or painted timber, laminates and MDF
✔ Weeds ✖ Textiles
✔ Small branches (no larger than 10cm diameter) ✖ Large branches and stumps
✔ Pet poo and cat litter (organic) ✖ Other animal droppings
✔ Compostable cups, plates and cutlery* ✖ Dead animals
✔ Certified compostable bags* ✖ General waste or recycling
✔ Certified compostable nappies*  

*Compostable bioplastic products that have one of the following certifications can go in your FOGO bin:

  • AS 5810
  • AS 4736
  • ASTM D6400
  • EN13432.

Look for a label on the product or ask your supplier for certification.

Bags and serving-ware (for example, plates and cutlery) made from natural fibres can go in your FOGO bin. This includes wood, paper, bagasse and cardboard.

FOGO Bin Information Sheet(PDF, 304KB)

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