FAQs

Recyclable containers such as jars, bottles and cans need to be empty, but do not need to be washed. Make sure they do not contain any liquid or food by tipping out any excess liquid and scraping out food remains before placing them into the recycling bin.

If you prefer to wash your recyclables – try using old dishwashing water instead of fresh water.

There’s no need to peel labels off containers, as they’re removed during the recycling process anyway.

Batteries contain toxic liquids and metals. All types of batteries have the potential to start a fire – especially once they reach waste facilities.

They are dangerous and should not go in your bin!

There are several ways to safely dispose of your batteries:

• Household and car batteries and items with embedded batteries can be dropped off for free at our Community Recycling Centre.
• Drop household batteries off for safe recycling at our Community Recycling Stations, available at selected libraries.
• Most Aldi stores have battery recycling bins for small household batteries – ask at your local store if you need help
• Most battery stores accept used batteries for recycling. Find a location on the Recycling Near You website.

Vapes are now accepted at our Community Recycling Centre as a part of the EPA’s Embedded Batteries Trial.

Leave the lids on the bottles and jars when you recycle them in your yellow bin. Any item smaller than a business card cannot be easily sorted and recycled at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and as such, lids would not be able to be recovered when left loose. By recycling bottles and jars with their lids on there is a better rate of recovery and ability to recycle them.

No, your bin does not need to be empty to be repaired or replaced. Once your booking is made, please ensure your bin is placed on the kerbside immediately for the REMONDIS Harbour Cities Team to complete your request.

If your bin service falls on a Public Holiday, please place your bin at the kerbside the evening before your collection day. All our services remain the same though our drivers may be earlier than usual. This applies for all Public Holidays except Christmas Day, where the bins will be serviced in the two (2) days following.

• Have bins on the kerb before 6:00am on your collection day
• Make sure your bins are presented at least 30cm apart
• Do not overfill your bins. The lid must close properly
• Ensure your bins do not weigh more than 80kgs each
• Place your bins on the kerb (not gutter or road) with opening (Council Logo) facing the road
• Ensure there are no cars, trees or overhead wires blocking access to your bins
• Remove your bins from the kerb on the day of collection, once they have been serviced
• Bins are Council owned and it is illegal to remove bins from a property

You can use the Calendar Feature – Click Here. Or download the Wollongong Waste App

The scrap metal truck will collect scrap metal items the following business day after your Household Cleanup Collection.

• Minimise the amount of time your bins are out (bin collection services start at 6am)
• Where possible, place your bin on flat ground
• Leave reasonable gaps between bins (at least 30cm) to help drivers avoid tipping bins over
• Bring your bin in as soon as you can after collection to reduce the risk of the bin blowing over and breaking, or blocking the road or footpath.

Make sure to:

• Never use bungee cords, bricks or rocks or other heavy items to keep bin lids closed. These can pose significant risks to passers-by and damage the bins, collections trucks and passing vehicles when the bin is lifted
• Avoid overfull bins where possible
• Collect spilled materials if your bin has been blown over, where safe to do so.

If you’re still having trouble, contact Remondis Harbour Cities on 1300 362 360.

Check out the FOGO in Multi Unit Dwellings page for details of how you may be able to FOGO your food and garden waste in your building.