A-Z Guide

Household quantities of these items can be safely disposed of during the annual Household Chemical CleanOut collection event.    Find out more and the next collection date.       

EMPTY aerosol cans can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin. All other aerosol cans including paint and automotive aerosols as well as household aerosols can be disposed of for free at the Community Recycling Centre at Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre.  Do not place non-empty aerosols in the red-lid landfill bin, as they may be a safety risk (explosive and flammable) when compressed in collection trucks, processed though sorting machinery and at our landfill site.    

Recycle your clean, residue-free, eligible agricultural drums at Bemboka, Bermagui and Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centres and the Bega Saleyards for free via the drumMUSTER program. drumMUSTER is a national product stewardship program that focuses on the collection and recycling of eligible, empty, and clean agricultural and veterinary (AgVet) chemical containers.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check the opening hours of Waste and Recycling Centres before visiting. The Bega Saleyard collection site is open only on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, between 12:30pm and 4pm, in the old calf shed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To learn how to prepare your drums for recycling, visit Drum preparation — Agsafe. Only clean, eligible drums will be accepted for recycling.    For more information, please visit drumMUSTER program overview | Recycling AgVet chemical containers — Agsafe

BAGMUSTER Responsibly dispose of agricultural plastic bags commonly used for fertilisers, seeds, grain, stock feed and pet food.    What's accepted: * Single-use PP agricultural plastic bags - look for woven texture or the PP5 icon on the bag * 25kg - over 1200kg bulk bags   Location: Bega Valley Saleyards - old calf shed 169 Kerrisons Lane, Bega   Opening times: Open every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 12:30pm – 4:00pm. For loads larger than a ute or trailer load, please make an appointment with Michael Boag on 0427 552 121.   How to prepare your bags: * Empty all contents and shake to remove residue * Remove any non-PP liners, labels and components * Fold or roll for easy transport and handling * Drop eligible bags at the bagMUSTER site during operating hours.   For more information visit Home | bagMUSTER

Aluminium cans and packaging be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free. No need to rinse.   Alternatively, with the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn, you can return eligible, empty beverage containers (including some aluminium cans) to return points and receive a 10-cent refund for each container.  Find your closest Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine here Aluminium is a valuable recyclable material with 100% recovered in the recycling process, and with an over 90% reduction in energy required, when compared to producing the primary product. Recycled Aluminium is sorted, baled and sold for re-processing. 

Aluminium foil can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (loads up to 1m3 only). Please scrunch into a ball (tennis ball size or larger) before placing in your recycling bin to ensure it is recycled properly. Coloured foil from easter eggs and similar is also recyclable, as long as it is scrunched into a ball (tennis ball size or larger). Hairdressers are also able to recycle foil used in their businesses, even if it contains hair products on them. Some 'foil like' products such as chip packs and medicine blister packs contain plastic and/or other mixed materials and cannot go into your yellow-lid bin. They must be disposed of into your red-lid landfill bin.   

Large animal carcasses are only accepted by pre-arrangement at the Central Waste Facility, Wolumla. Contact Council 02 6499 2222 to arrange disposal.   Small animal carcasses can be accepted at any Waste and Recycling Centre, as long as they are well wrapped.  

Animal droppings and waste including cat poo, kitty litter and dog poo must be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin.  It cannot be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin.

Large appliances, including fridges, freezers, air conditioners, washing machines, dryers, ovens, dishwashers etc can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal.  Fridges, freezers and air conditioners contain gas that needs to be properly captured prior to disposal (fees apply). Other non-gassed appliances made primarily from metal can be disposed of as scrap metal for free (at staff discretion).  Broken appliances may be able to be repaired and sold or donated - contact the Bega Valley Repair Cafe to see if your appliance can be saved from landfill. For working machines, sell or giveaway online on GumTree or Facebook Marketplace

Appliances can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal. Appliances made primarily of metal can be accepted for scrap metal for free (at staff discretion - excludes fridges, freezers and air conditioners requiring de-gassing).  Electronic appliances can be recycled as E-Waste (for a small fee) or disposed of as landfill (for a fee). Broken appliances may be able to be repaired and sold or donated - contact the Bega Valley Repair Cafe to see if your appliance can be saved from landfill. 

Artificial flowers and plants cannot be recycled and should be placed into your red-lid recycling bin.  Consider donating them if they are in good condition. They CANNOT be placed in the green-lid FOGO bin.

Asbestos is a deadly material and inhalation of asbestos fibres has been proven to cause asbestosis, mesothelioma and cancer. Because of the dangers associated with the handling of asbestos, its safe removal and disposal is very important. Small quantities of asbestos from clean up around residential properties It is common for householders to discover pieces of asbestos cement around or under their home. Bagged Asbestos can be disposed of at any of our sites that have asbestos bins: Bermagui, Eden or Merimbula  Bags can be pre-purchased at all waste facilities and Councils main office in Bega. There is no limit to the amount of bags purchased or disposed of. Do Not: * Put asbestos in your wheelie bins * Mix asbestos with other types of waste and take to the tip * Conceal asbestos in waste loads taken to the tip * Bury asbestos on your land   Sheet Asbestos should not be broken up to fit in bags.  It can be taken directly to the Central Waste Facility.  All loads must be appropriately wrapped.     Commercial quantities of asbestos from building and demolition sites * In Bega Valley Shire commercial quantities of asbestos, that is >0.25 cubic metres, must be disposed of by appointment. The cost is per tonne and is listed in the fees and chargessection. Council's Disposal of Asbestos form must be submitted prior to disposal. * A Disposal of Asbestos form must be completed prior to making payment.  Payments may be made at the time of disposal. * Disposal of waste is controlled by NSW Environmental Protection Authority guidelines. * All loads of asbestos greater than 100kg or 10m3 for sheet asbestos must be recorded using the EPA’s Integrated Waste Tracking Solution program.  

Cold ash should be bagged and placed in your red-lid landfill bin. Please ensure ash is bagged securely and is completely cold.  Do not place it in your green-lid FOGO bin.

Baby wipes/antibacterial or cleaning wipes should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Wipes are not recyclable or compostable even if marked as such and do not go in recycling or FOGO bins. Never flush wipes - even if they are labelled ‘flushable’. Wipes clog sewer and septic systems.

Baking paper should be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin.  It CANNOT be placed in your green FOGO bin.   Some baking paper can be composted at home if it is marked with a HOME Compostable symbol.

Balloons should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Balloons released into the environment pose a serious risk to marine and other wildlife.  Bega Valley Shire Council does not support the release of balloons into the environment on Council owned property or reserves.

New, used or dirty bamboo and wooden cutlery should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. Bamboo and wooden cutlery cannot be placed in your FOGO bin. Cutlery made of wood or bamboo may be composted at home.

Household batteries can be taken to the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal in the Community Recycling Centre (CRC), to the Mobile CRC and to a Community Recycling Station (CRS) at any Council Library (no lithium batteries can be accepted at the Libraries) where they are sent away for recycling at specialised facilities. Check the table below for more details. They DO NOT go in your recycling, FOGO or rubbish bin - they pose a serious risk of fires in the garbage trucks and at landfill sites. Household batteries contain recyclable materials and can be recycled through specialised battery recycling programs and via the CRC. A national recycling initiative, B-Cycle, has also partnered with big retailers to make battery recycling easier. You can recycle accepted batteries at most Woolworths, Aldi and Coles stores in the Bega Valley for free. Find a B-Cycle location here.   Battery Type Accepted? AAA, AA, C, D, 9V, 6VYes Button batteriesYes, excluding CRS's at LibrariesPower tool batteriesYes, excluding CRS's at LibrariesRemovable and rechargeableYes, excluding CRS's at LibrariesPortable radio batteriesYes, excluding CRS's at Librariese-bike / e- scooterYes, excluding CRS's at LibrariesLead-acid batteries - auto and otherYes, excluding CRS's at LibrariesUninterruptible power supplyYes, excluding CRS's at LibrariesLithium-ion automotive batteriesYes, excluding CRS's at LibrariesMobile phone batteriesYes, if removed from phone. Entire mobiles accepted at CRS's only.Laptop and computer batteriesYes, if removed from computer/laptop. Not accepted at CRS's at LibrariesExit lightingNoElectric vehicle (EV)NoResidential energy storage systems (RESS)NoEmbedded batteries (in devices, not removable)NoDisassembled batteriesNo    

Vehicle batteries can be taken to Merimbula Community Recycling Centre for free disposal.  EV (electric vehicle) batteries are NOT accepted at Waste and Recycling Centres - contact your vehicle manufacturer for appropriate disposal options. Vehicle batteries contain hazardous material and should NOT be placed in your landfill, FOGO or recycling bins. When purchasing a new vehicle battery, you can also ask the supplier to dispose of it for you - these batteries will be appropriately recycled from the supplier.

Glass and plastic beer bottles can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3).  There is no need to rinse them prior to disposal.   Eligible beer bottles can also be taken to Return & Earn stations for a 10c per bottle refund. Find out more information by going to Container Deposit Scheme - Bega Valley Shire Council (nsw.gov.au) or find a location here.  

Bicycles and scooters may be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free disposal.  Those in good condition may be placed into the Reuse Shop for resale, or they will be recycled for scrap metal.

Biodegradable plastic should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  It is not able to be recycled or composted and cannot go in your recycling or FOGO bins. 

Blankets in good condition may be donated to a local charity shop.  Blankets, doonas and towels may be useful for local wildlife carers or animal rescue organisations. Contact Potaroo Palace or the Animal Welfare League NSW - Far South Coast Branch for donation options.  Unwanted blankets should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

These items can be safely disposed of during the Household Chemical Collection days.     The collection dates and information are available on the 'More Information' tab under Household Chemical CleanOut.  

Empty blister packs should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Medicine packets are usually a mixed product (aluminium and plastic) and cannot be recycled via your yellow-lid recycling bin.   

Bones, meat, dairy and seafood can be put into the green-lid FOGO bin.   For residents without a FOGO service these items can be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. Please consider home composting options as bones and seafood can be composted to create your own nutrient rich compost and sending food to landfill creates methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.    

Books can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre to be placed in our Reuse Shop for sale (only books in good condition will be accepted at staff discretion) or recycled for free (loads under 1m3 only).  Also consider donation to charity shops or finding a street library as well. 

Glass and plastic bottles such as milk, beer and juice bottles can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3). No need to rinse. Eligible bottles can also be taken to Return & Earn stations for a 10c per bottle refund. Find out more information by going to Container Deposit Scheme - Bega Valley Shire Council (nsw.gov.au) or find a location here. Broken reusable drink bottles should be placed in the red-lid landfill bin.  

Lids (plastic and metal) larger than a credit card can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin. Lids of the same type of material as their container (plastic or metal) can be placed back on the container and recycled along with the container (squash plastic bottles before replacing lids).  Loose metal and plastic lids smaller than a credit card should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin - they are too small to be recycled through the sorting machinery at recycling facilities. 

Branches up to 50mm in diameter and other garden prunings can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin. Make sure the bin lid can close so that the truck can empty it safely. Garden waste (not food waste) can be taken to the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre, Bermagui Waste and Recycling Centre, Eden Waste and Recycling Centre or Wallagoot Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).    

Plastic bread tags should be placed into your red-lid landfill bin, or can be donated to Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs.  Cardboard bread tags should be placed inside an envelope or paper bag before placing in your yellow-lid recycling bin. 

Bricks and pavers in good condition may be accepted at a Waste and Recycling Centre to be placed in the Reuse Shop for sale (accepted at staff discretion).  If broken or unusable, they will need to be placed in the landfill skip at a Waste and Recycling Centre(fees apply). Large amounts of building waste cannot be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Clean concrete and bricks may be accepted at Eden Waste and Recycling Centre for on-site recycling, fees apply. More information please contact Council on 02 6499 2222 for more information.

Broken mirrors, windows or Pyrex-type glass etc cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).   Broken bottles and glass jars can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin.  

Consider re-use options, or place in your red-lid landfill bin.  Bubble wrap is a soft plastic and cannot be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin.

Usable building materials may be accepted at Waste and Recycling Centres to be placed in a Reuse Shop for sale (accepted at staff discretion).  If unusable, they will need to be placed in the landfill skip at a Waste and Recycling Centre (fees apply). Large amounts of building waste cannot be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. 

Please contact your local Police Station or Firearms dealer for lawful disposal options for firearms and ammunition. Do not place in any ammunition or firearms in your kerbside bins.

‘Can clips’ cannot be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin.  Take them to your local Dan Murphy's store and drop them at the counter so they can be reused and recycled instead. ‘Can clips’ are plastic clips that hold together cans in 4 and six packs. They are made from a rigid plastic that can be reused multiple times before being recycled.

Consider re-use or donation options or place in your red-lid landfill binif unusable. They CANNOT be placed in your greed-lid FOGO bin.  

Aluminium and metal cans can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3).  No need to rinse.  Some eligible containers can be redeemed using the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn for a 10c refund - find your closest Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine here

Can be taken to Merimbula Community Recycling Centre anytime for free disposal.  Vehicle batteries contain hazardous material and should not be placed in your landfill, recycling or FOGO bins.  

Clean cardboard can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3).  Cardboard that is greasy or covered in food should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin (NOT your FOGO bin). Waxed cardboard boxes used for fruit and vegetables cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. Please flatten boxes before placing them in the bin.

Carpet, rugs and underlay can be disposed of at a Waste and Recycling Centre, or may be placed in the Reuse Shop for free if deemed in good, useable condition by staff. 

Metal car parts and vehicles can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free, for scrap metal recycling (at staff discretion).  EV's (electric vehicles) and EV batteries are NOT accepted at Waste and Recycling Centres - contact your vehicle manufacturer for appropriate disposal options.

Cat waste and kitty litter should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. It cannot be placed in your FOGO bin.

Unusable DVDs and CDs should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  If in good condition, consider donating or selling them. Some may be accepted at Waste and Recycling Centres to be placed in the ReUse Shop, at staff discretion. 

Cellophane or foil-coated wrapping paper should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin, or reuse if in good condition. It is not recyclable.

Ceramics in good condition can be donated to charity shops or taken to a Reuse Shop at a Waste and Recycling Centre(accepted at staff discretion). They are NOT recyclable in yellow-lid recycling bins.  Broken ceramics, pyrex or drinking glasses cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).

Certified compostable FOGO caddy liners can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin.  Only caddy liners with the certified commercial compostable 'seedling' logo and the Australian Standard AS4736-2006 on it can be composted safely through the FOGO commercial composting process.  Liners only certified for HOME composting (showing only the 'compost bin' symbol and the standard AS5810-2010) are NOT to be placed in your FOGO bin.

Soft plastics like chip packets are not recyclable and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.    Woolworths has introduced a Soft Plastics Recycling Trial to our local Woolworths stores at Bega, Bermagui, Merimbula and Tura Beach (October 2025).  Drop off CLEAN plastic bags, chip packets, confectionary packaging, cereal liners and bread bags for recycling in the collection bag at the front of each store. Find out more information at this link

Baubles, tinsel, bon bons, lights and other Christmas decorations cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Consider reuse or donate to a charity-shop if in excellent condition.

Living Christmas trees (green or dried) can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin as long as the trunk and branches are LESS than 50 mm in diameter.  Please break them up before placing in the bin (your bin lid must close to be collected by the truck).  REMEMBER: remove all your ornaments, tinsel and christmas lights before disposing of them - these do not belong in your FOGO bin.

Plastic Christmas trees should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin if no longer usable. Consider donating or placing in a Reuse Shop at a Waste and Recycling Centre if in good condition.   

Place in your red-lid landfill bin. Please make sure they are completely out first!

VENM (virgin excavated natural material) may be accepted at the Central Waste Facility only, for free disposal (commercial customers only). Conditions apply, you must submit waste classification report prior to arrival. Call Council for more information on 02 6499 2222.  Clean fill taken to Waste and Recycling Centres will be considered general waste and disposal will incur a fee.

Household quantities of these items can be safely disposed of during the annual Household Chemical CleanOut collection event.   Empty plastic containers can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin.

Soft plastics like cling/glad wrap should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Alternatively, send them back in the post for recycling via the Terracycle GLAD® Food Care Free Recycling Program - all brands of cling film, sandwich and ziplock bags are accepted. 

Unusable items should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Textiles and footwear cannot be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin. Donate items in excellent condition to local charity shops or consider selling or giving away.  You could also consider alternatives like Upparel for recycling  

Coat hangers of any kind should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin when no longer usable.  Consider donating or giving away if still in good condition. Metal coat hangers may be recycled for scrap metal at any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (at staff discretion).

Coffee bags should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Most bags are made from finely woven plastics and cannot be composted. If your brand of coffee bags is made from a plant-based material or certified compostable, they may be composted safely at home. Alternatively, cut the bag and place the coffee grinds in your green-lid FOGO bin before disposing of the bag in your red-lid landfill bin. 

Coffee cups and lids (disposable) should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. Disposable coffee cups and lids cannot be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin. Most are a composite of cardboard and a plastic liner which cannot be separated for recycling.  You can follow the journey of a disposable coffee cup in our interactive story The Cuppa here   

Compostable coffee cups and lids CANNOT be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin and should be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin.  Certified HOME compostable cups and lids can be composted at home, but cannot be placed in your FOGO bin.  Compostable coffee cups are not recyclable and cannot be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin.

Used or fresh coffee grounds can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin, or composted at home.  Coffee filter paper should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin, or composted at home. 

Please dispose of them in your red-lid landfill bin, or recycle them via brand recycling programs (below). Coffee pods are not recyclable in your yellow-lid recycle bin, though you can empty the coffee from them into your green-lid FOGO bin or compost bin prior to disposal. Check out the following links for brand-specific FREE recycling programs: * Coffee Pod Recycling | Recycle Capsules | Nespresso Australia * NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Capsule Free Recycling Program | TerraCycle · TerraCycle * Lavazza Capsules Free Recycling Program · TerraCycle * L'OR, Moccona, illy and Campos Free Recycling Program | TerraCycle · TerraCycle * Roast and Return Aluminium Coffee Capsule Free Recycling Program · TerraCycle * Seven Miles Coffee Pods Free Recycling Program · TerraCycle  

Compostable packaging and mailers should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.    Compostable packaging cannot be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin due to chemicals contained in them not breaking down in the composting process.  Certified HOME compostable packaging and mailers may be composted at home, but cannot be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin. 

Compostable containers should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Compostable containers cannot be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin due to chemicals contained in them not breaking down in the composting process.  Certified HOME compostable packaging may be composted at home, but cannot be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin. 

Computers and accessories like monitors, hard drives and cables are considered electronic (E)- Waste and can be taken to Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre to be recycled (fees apply).  E Waste is transported to specialised recyclers and precious metals are recovered for use in other electronics, reducing the reliance on mining for these metals.   

Clean concrete and bricks may be accepted at Eden Waste and Recycling Centre for on-site recycling, fees apply.  More information please contact Council on 02 6499 2222. 

Used cooking oil can be taken to Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre to be disposed of for free in the Community Recycling Centre (CRC).  Household quantities only (20 litres max), commercial customers cannot access this service. 

Cork is not recyclable and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Cork may be composted at home. Some Dan Murphy's stores accept corks for recycling through the ReCork program. This is not currently offered at the Bega Dan Murphy's store.  

Cosmetics and cosmetic containers are not recyclable and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. 

Metal cutlery can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free disposal into either the ReUse Shop (if in good condition, at staff discretion) or for scrap metal recycling.

Plastic cutlery is not recyclable and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Defibrillator electrode pads can be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin, as they do not contain any batteries or hazardous material. Defibrillator batteries can be disposed of for free at the Community Recycling Centre at the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre or the Mobile CRC when it is at a Waste and Recycling Centre near you.  Do not place lithium batteries in your household bins -  they can cause fires in the collections vehicles and at our landfill site.

Demolition rubble can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (loads under 3m3) as general waste (fees apply).  Loads over 3m3 are considered commercial - commercial customers can take loads over 3m3 to the Central Waste Facility for disposal (fees apply).

EMPTY aerosol cans can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin.  Full, partially full and empty aerosol cans including paint and automotive aerosols as well as household aerosols can be disposed of for free at the /#/info/1Community Recycling Centre at Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre. Do not place non-empty aerosols in the red-lid landfill bin, as they may be a safety risk (explosive and flammable) when compressed in collection trucks, processed though sorting machinery and at our landfill site.

Roll-on deodorant packaging should be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin. Packaging like this is comprised of more than one type of plastic or glass and cannot be separated easily for recycling at recycling facilities.

Dirt and soil can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (loads under 3m3) as general waste (fees apply). Loads over 3m3 are considered commercial - commercial customers can take loads over 3m3 to the Central Waste Facility for disposal (fees apply).  VENM (virgin excavated natural material) may be accepted at the Central Waste Facilityonly, for free disposal (commercial customers only). Conditions apply, you must submit waste classification report prior to arrival. Call Council for more information on 02 6499 2222.  Clean fill taken to Waste and Recycling Centres will be considered general waste and disposal will incur a fee.

Disposable nappies, including biodegradable and compostable nappies, should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. 

Dog poo and dog poo bags (including biodegradable and compostable), should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Aluminium cans (soft drink, energy drink, beer, water, wine) can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3). No need to rinse. Some eligible containers can be redeemed using the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn for a 10c refund - find your closest Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine here. 

Small (empty) metal drums can be placed in your yellow-lid recycle bin.  Any-sized (empty) metal drums can be recycled for free as scrap metal at any Waste and Recycling Centre. Drums containing tar cannot be recycled as scrap metal and need to be placed in landfill (fees apply).

Dryer lint should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. It cannot be placed in your FOGO bin, due to microplastics and other non-compostable substances.

Electric bicycles and scooters with the battery removed may be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free disposal as scrap metal (at staff discretion).  Batteries can be disposed of at the Merimbula Community Recycling Centre (CRC) at Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre.  DO NOT place batteries in your kerbside bins - they are a significant fire hazard in collections trucks, at recycling facilities and at our landfill.

Egg cartons can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin or composted at home. They cannot be placed in FOGO.

Eggs and eggshells can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin.

E Waste can be taken to Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre for specialised recycling (fees apply). Electronic waste is any small appliance that runs off a power cord or a battery and includes: computers, monitors, keyboards, scanners, printers, phones, mobile phones, TV's, DVD/CD players, game consoles, other household appliances.  If your item is predominantly metal, it may be disposed of for free as scrap metal (at staff discretion).

All envelopes, including those with clear address windows, can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free disposal (loads up to 1m3).

Prescription eye glasses in good condition (not scratched) can be donated to Lions Recycle for Sight Program or be dropped of at SpecSavers stores for recycling in the same program.

Disposable and cloth face masks should be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin.  Please cut the ear loops first to avoid them being a hazard to wildlife if they blow out of your bin.

Feathers (real and artificial) should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin, or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).  Real feathers may also be composted at home.

Feminine hygiene products should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).

Fencing wire, fencing netting and barbed wire (metal) should be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free disposal as scrap metal (at staff discretion).  It cannot be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin, as it can damage and jam sorting machinery at recycling centres. 

Household quantities of these items can be safely disposed of during the annual Household Chemical CleanOut collection event.  Find out more and the next collection date here. Do not pour chemicals and fertilisers down your household drains or into your stormwater drains.

Fire extinguishers can be taken to the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre for free disposal at the Community Recycling Centre (CRC) or to the Mobile CRC, when it is at Bermagui, Wallagoot or Eden Waste and Recycling Centres.  Household quantities only. Do not place fire extinguishers in your kerbside bins.

Unwanted, broken or used fishing gear can be safely recycled at local Rig Recycle locations - Boss Outdoor Merimbula and Tackle World Merimbula. Items accepted include: * Fishing Line * Plastic Spools * Handline Spools * Hooks * Sinkers * Swivels * Lures * Floats Bait packaging, soft plastics, rods, reels, life jackets or flares not accepted.   If unable to take them to a Rig Recycle location, please place them in your red-lid landfill bin, or drop usable items off for free at a ReUse Shop at one of our Waste and Recycling Centres (accepted at staff discretion).

Do not dispose of flares in any kerbside bin or at any Waste and Recycling Centre - they pose a risk of explosion and fire.  Expired marine flares can be taken to a collection day held 3 times per year at boat ramps throughout the shire.  Find the next collection day here   

Bunches of flowers (living or dead) can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin.  REMEMBER: remove all plastic wrapping, ribbons, rubber bands, florist foam, wires, boxes and plastic labels from bunches of flowers before placing in your FOGO bin. These items should be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin. 

Foam meat trays should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centrefor disposal (fees apply).

Aluminium foil can be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (loads up to 1m3 only).  Scrunch aluminium into a tennis-ball size or larger to make sure it doesn't get lost in the sorting process. You do not need to clean your foil before recycling it. Foil from hairdressers can also be recycled, no need to rinse or remove product first. Coloured foil from easter eggs and similar is also recyclable.  Please note that some 'foil like' products such as chip packs and medicine blister packs contain plastic and/or other mixed materials and cannot go into your yellow-lid bin. They must be disposed of into your red-lid landfill bin. 

All food items can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin or composted at home.  Remove all food items from their packaging (including compostable and biodegradable) before putting in the FOGO bin.  If you have excess produce, consider giving it away or contacting a local food pantry to see if they can utilise it or distribute it to people in need 

Fruit-fly infested fruit can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin.  To prevent further spread of Queensland Fruit Fly, place infested fruit in a certified compostable caddy liner and place it in the freezer until frozen first to kill the fruit fly larvae. 

Fruit juice cartons can be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3).  No need to rinse, just make sure they are empty.  Lids smaller than a credit-card size should be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).

All food scraps can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin or may be composted at home.  Remove all food items from their packaging (including compostable and biodegradable) before putting in the FOGO bin. Do not place soft plastic produce bags or ziplock bags in the FOGO bin. 

Broken or unusable furniture can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre and disposed of for a fee.

Furniture in good condition can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre and placed in the ReUse Shop (where applicable - at staff discretion).  Items must be in re-saleable condition to be accepted. 

Household quantities of these items can be safely disposed of for free during the annual Household Chemical CleanOut collection event. Do not pour chemicals down your household drains or into your stormwater.  

Unusable garden hoses or other watering implements should be placed in the red-lid landfill bin. DO NOT place in your green-lid FOGO bin.

Netting like fruit tree netting should be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre (fees apply).

Garden tools in good usable condition can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre and placed in the ReUse Shop for free (at staff discretion).  Items must be in good, re-sellable condition to be accepted. Un-saleable or broken items are considered general waste (fees apply for disposal).

Garden/green waste can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin or taken to Merimbula, Wallagoot, Bermagui or Eden Waste and Recycling Centres for disposal (fees apply). Branches up to 50mm in diameter only can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin. Please make sure your FOGO bin lid can close, so the truck can safely empty your bin. Branches over 50mm in diameter should be taken to a Waste and Recycling Centre that accepts green waste for disposal. Alternatively, you can compost these at home. Not all weeds can go into FOGO or are accepted at our Waste and Recycling Centres - please check our website for information on prohibited plants.

Gas bottles (empty or otherwise) can be taken to the Merimbula Community Recycling Centre (CRC) at the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre for free (household quantities only).  They will be recycled at specialised recyclers where any remaining gas will be be captured and reused, usable bottles will be reconditioned and reused, damaged bottles will be recycled as scrap metal.   

Broken glass of any type including windows, mirrors, pyrex, bakeware, shower screens etc should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).  Broken glass bottles can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin if in large pieces. Smaller pieces should be placed in the red-lid landfill bin.   

Glass jars and bottles can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3). No need to rinse.  Plastic and metal lids larger than a credit card size can also be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin. Smaller lids should be placed in the red-lid landfill bin.  Some eligible containers can be redeemed using the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn for a 10c refund - find your closest Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine.

Glassware in usable condition may be donated to charity shops or accepted in to the ReUse Shops at Waste and Recycling Centres (at staff discretion).  Broken glassware should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).

Golf balls can be donated to junior programs or local charity shops, and can be dropped off to the Golf Ball Recycling box at the Eden Sport and Recreation Club Pro Shop, the Pambula-Merimbula Golf Club Pro Shop and the Tura Beach Country Club Pro Shop by members when they are damaged or no longer needed.  Golf balls dropped into the Golf Ball Recycling box may be sorted for reuse or recycled into outdoor furniture, safety bollards, roads, paving, soft fall surfaces and wastewater and drainage systems.   

Grass clippings can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin or taken to Merimbula, Wallagoot, Bermagui or Eden Waste and Recycling Centres for disposal (fees apply).  Alternatively, you can compost these at home.

Hair should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. It cannot be placed in FOGO.  Alternatively, you can compost this at home.

Hard plastic packaging like plastic bottles and containers can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3). Empty contents, but no need to rinse.  Hard plastic includes bottles like water bottles, shampoo, detergent, body wash, sauce bottles, empty cleaning bottles and rigid plastic containers like biscuit trays, fruit punnets and takeaway containers.  Some eligible containers can be redeemed using the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn for a 10c refund - find your closest Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine.

Hearing aid batteries can be taken to the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre /#/info/1for disposal in the Community Recycling Centre (CRC), to the Mobile CRC, or to a Community Recycling Station (CRS) at any Council Library (no lithium batteries can be accepted at the Libraries), where they are sent away for recycling at specialised facilities.  They CANNOT be placed in your landfill, recycling or FOGO bins. The national B-Cycle battery recycling scheme also has recycling points at most major supermarkets and hardware stores. 

Unwanted hearing aids can be donated and refurbished for those in need.  Return your old hearing aids to the place of purchase or any other place hearing aids are sold to have them donated and refurbished. Rechargeable hearing aids and hearing aid batteries should not be placed in your red-lid landfill bin due to the risk of fire and explosion.

Household insulation in unused condition can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centreand may be placed in the ReUse Shop (no charge, at staff discretion).  Small amounts of used insulation can be placed in your red-lid landfill bin, and small or large amounts can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).

Incontinence products, including biodegradable and compostable products, should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. 

Household quantities of these items can be safely disposed of during the annual Household Chemical CleanOut collection event.  Find out more and the next collection date here. Do not pour insecticides down your household drains or into your stormwater drains.

Irrigation pipe and other plumbing pipe is not recyclable and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).

Plastic and glass jars can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3). No need to rinse.  Plastic and metal lids larger than a credit card size can also be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin. Smaller lids should be placed in the red-lid landfill bin.  Some eligible containers can be redeemed using the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn for a 10c refund - find your closest Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine here

Paper and cardboard-based junk mail can be recycled via your yellow-lid recycling bin.  Magnets cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Kitty litter, including paper-based kitty litter, should be placed in your red landfill bin for disposal. It is not accepted in your green FOGO bin.  

Laminated paper cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Laptops and other e-waste can be taken to Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre for specialised recycling (fees apply).  Electronic waste is anything that runs off a power cord or a battery and includes: computers, monitors, keyboards, scanners, printers, phones, mobile phones, TV's, DVD/CD players, game consoles, any small household appliance.  You can also donate your old laptops (less than 10 years old) to charitable organisation The Reconnect Project, where it is refurbished and passed on to someone in need. Laptop batteries removed from laptops can be disposed of at the Community Recycling Centre at Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre.

Grass clippings can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin or taken to Merimbula, Wallagoot, Bermagui or Eden Waste and Recycling Centres for disposal (fees apply).  Alternatively, you can compost these at home.

Lawn mowers can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free.  Lawn mowers in good condition may be accepted into the ReUse Shop (at staff discretion), or recycled as scrap metal.

Green waste (garden waste) like leaves (dead or green) can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin or taken to Merimbula, Wallagoot, Bermagui or Eden Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).  Branches up to 50mm in diameter can be placed in your FOGO bin.  Please make sure your FOGO bin lid can close, so the truck can safely empty your bin. Alternatively, you can compost these at home.

Lids (plastic and metal) larger than a credit card can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin.  Lids of the same type of material as their container (plastic or metal) can be placed back on the container and recycled along with the container. LOOSE metal and plastic lids smaller than a credit card should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin - they are too small to be recycled through the sorting machinery at recycling facilities. 

Lids (plastic and metal) larger than a credit card can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin.  Lids of the same type of material as their container (plastic or metal) can be placed back on the container and recycled along with the container.  LOOSE metal and plastic lids smaller than a credit card should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin - they are too small to be recycled through the sorting machinery at recycling facilities. 

Fluorescent light globes and tubes can be taken to the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre for free disposal at the Community Recycling Centre (CRC) or to the Mobile CRC, when it is at Bermagui, Wallagoot or Eden Waste and Recycling Centres.  Household quantities only.

Incandescent (older style) light bulbs can be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).

LED light globes should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply). They are not recyclable and are not accepted at the Community Recycling Centres or in your yellow-lid recycling bin.

Magazines (including glossy pages) can be recycled via your yellow-lid recycling bin.  Magnets cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Magnets are not recyclable and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Animal manure and pet droppings should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  They cannot be put in your green-lid FOGO bin. 

Mattresses of any size can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for recycling (fees apply).  1.8 million mattresses are thrown away each year - mattresses are recycled at specialised recyclers, with metal recovered for scrap metal, mattress stuffing and foam is recycled into carpet underlay and wooden bases are chipped into wood chip.

Foam meat trays cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. Plastic trays can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3).

Medical waste is NOT accepted at Councils waste facilities.  Contact local health care providers - Pambula District Hospital, Bega Hospital and Eden Community Health Centre to enquire about disposal options.

Unused and expired medication should be returned to your local pharmacy for recycling through the National Return and Disposal of Unwanted Medicines Program (NatRUM).   

Items made primarily of metal can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for recycling for free (at staff discretion).  Items that may be accepted as scrap metal may include ovens, microwaves, bicycles, roofing metal, metal bed bases, hot water systems, washing machines, dryers, metal vehicle parts/whole vehicles, trampoline frame and springs etc 

Milk cartons (cardboard and plastic) and bottles (glass or plastic) can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3).

Mobile phones and accessories including chargers can be recycled via Mobile Muster by dropping off in a Community Recycling Station (CRS) at any Bega Valley Shire Library.  You can also recycle mobile phones and accessories including chargers at many major supermarkets, a Telstra Store or by using a reply paid option to send it back to Mobile Muster directly.  You can donate your old mobile to charitable organisation The Reconnect Project, where it is refurbished and passed onto someone in need  Mobile batteries removed from mobiles can be disposed of at the Community Recycling Centre at Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre.

Disposable nappies, including biodegradable and compostable nappies, should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Sharps including needles and syringes, diabetic pens, lancets, EpiPens and other injecting devices, should NOT be placed in any kerbside bins and cannot be accepted at any Waste and Recycling Centre.    Used or unused sharps can be disposed of at local health care providers - Pambula District Hospital, Bega Hospital and Eden Community Health Centre.  More information can be found here   If you find sharps on public land, you can  call the Needle Cleanup Hotline on 1800 633 353 or visit The Albion Centre | Partnerships in Health  

Newspaper can be recycled via your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3).

Household quantities (up to 20L) can be taken to Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre, Community Recycling Centre (CRC) for free disposal.

Household quantities (up to 20L) can be taken to Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre, Community Recycling Centre (CRC)for free disposal.  Commercial cooking oil quantities are not accepted at Waste and Recycling Centres or the CRC - contact Cleanaway 13 13 39 for commercial disposal options. 

Empty metal oil drums can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free disposal as scrap metal.  Empty plastic oil containers can be recycled in your yellow-lid recycle bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3).

Residents should place empty oil filters in the red-lid landfill bin for disposal. Please make sure used oil filters are empty of oil prior to disposal. Motor oil (not filters) can be taken to the Community Recycling Centre (CRC) and the Mobile CRC for free disposal.   Commercial quantities should be collected by a specialised collection service - call Cleanaway for local options.  

All seafood including oyster shells can be placed in you green-lid FOGO bin.   For residents without a FOGO service these items can be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Please consider home composting options to create your own nutrient-rich compost. Sending food to landfill creates methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.

Household quantities (up to 20L) can be taken to Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre, Community Recycling Centre (CRC) for free recycling.    Keep the paint in its tin - lids must be able to close securely. Empty paint tins can be disposed of as scrap metal at any Waste and Recycling Centre for free.    Commercial painters can dispose of up to 100L of paint at the yearly Household Chemical CleanOut day.

Paper and cardboard, including newspaper, junk mail, glossy magazines and books, can be recycled via your yellow-lid recycling bin. Remove any plastic packaging and place in your red-lid landfill bin.  You can avoid junk mail waste by placing a 'No Junk Mail' sign on your letter box.

Paper and cardboard that is dirty with food or grease cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. It cannot be placed in FOGO.

Paper towel cannot be recycled (due to the way it is made) and should be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin or composted at home. It cannot be placed in FOGO.

Unusable pens and pencils should be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin. 

Personal hygiene products, including tissues, face masks (please cut the ear loops first), feminine hygiene products, nappies and band-aids, including biodegradable and compostable options, should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  They cannot be placed in FOGO. 

Animal manure and pet droppings should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  They cannot be put in your FOGO bin. 

Clean Pizza Boxes (with no food on them) can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin. Dirty Pizza Boxes (with food stuck to them, or with grease stains) cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. Pizza boxes cannot be placed in your green FOGO bin.

Potted and indoor plants (living or dead) can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin.  REMEMBER: Remove plants from their pots or containers before disposal. Pots should be reused or disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin.

Plastic bags should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  To save space in your bin, collect your soft plastic bags and packaging in a bag, and squeeze it into a tight ball before tying it off and placing into the bin.   Woolworths has introduced a Soft Plastics Recycling Trial to our local Woolworths stores at Bega, Bermagui, Merimbula and Tura Beach (October 2025).  Drop off CLEAN plastic bags, chip packets, confectionary packaging, cereal liners and bread bags for recycling in the collection bag at the front of each store. Find out more information at this link

Lids (plastic and metal) larger than a credit card can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin. Lids of the same type of material as their container (plastic or metal) can be placed back on the container and recycled along with the container.  LOOSE metal and plastic lids smaller than a credit card should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin - they are too small to be recycled through the sorting machinery at recycling facilities. 

Rigid formed plastic like plastic buckets and storage containers cannot be recycled via your yellow-lid recycling bin.  Place them in your red-lid landfill bin instead if they cannot be reused.

Can be put in your recycling bin or taken to any tip for free.

Rigid plastic containers can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3). Empty contents, but no need to rinse.  Rigid plastic containers include items like biscuit trays, fruit punnets, ice cream containers, butter and margarine containers and takeaway containers. If you are unsure, check the packaging for the Australasian Recycling Label.

Some plastic meat trays are recyclable, while some are not. Check the packaging for the Australasian Recycling Label. If unsure, place it in your red-lid landfill bin.

Hard plastic packaging can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3). Empty contents, but no need to rinse.  Hard plastic includes bottles like water bottles, shampoo, detergent, body wash, sauce bottles, empty cleaning bottles and hard plastic containers like biscuit trays, fruit punnets and takeaway containers. If you are unsure, check the packaging for the Australasian Recycling Label.  Some eligible containers can be redeemed using the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn for a 10c refund - find your closest Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine here.  

Soft plastics like soft plastic packaging, plastic mailers, chip packets and cling wrap should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  To save space in your bin, collect your soft plastic bags and packaging in a bag, and squeeze it into a tight ball before tying it off and placing into the bin.   Woolworths has introduced a Soft Plastics Recycling Trial to our local Woolworths stores at Bega, Bermagui, Merimbula and Tura Beach (October 2025).  Drop off CLEAN plastic bags, chip packets, confectionary packaging, cereal liners and bread bags for recycling in the collection bag at the front of each store. Find out more information at this link

Plastic tubes like toothpaste, sunscreen, cosmetics tubes and other liquid/paste tubes are not recyclable in your yellow-lid recycling bin and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Plastic plant pots are NOT recyclable via your yellow-lid recycling bin. If broken or unusable, place in your red-lid landfill bin.  Pots in good condition can be reused, check with your local nursery to see if they may accept them.  Usable pots can also be taken to the Reuse Shop at a Waste and Recycling Centre (accepted at staff discretion).

Plastic plates and cups cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Rigid formed plastic like storage containers or bins cannot be recycled via your yellow-lid recycling bin.  Place them in your red-lid landfill bin if they cannot be reused.

Soft plastics like soft plastic packaging, plastic mailers, chip packets and cling wrap should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  REDcycle is no longer accepting soft plastics for recycling.   

Household quantities of these items can be safely disposed of during the annual Household Chemical CleanOut collection event. Find out more and the next collection date here.

Polystyrene foam should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).

Household quantities of these items can be safely disposed of during the annual Household Chemical CleanOut collection event. Find out more and the next collection date here.

Pottery items in good condition can be donated to charity shops or may be accepted into a Reuse Shop at our Waste and Recycling Centres for free (at staff discretion).  Broken pottery items should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Plastic bags like those containing compost, potting mix and mulch should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).  Soft plastics recycling at local supermarkets (REDcycle) is no longer operating.  To save space in your bin, continue to collect your soft plastic bags and packaging in a bag, and squeeze it into a tight ball before tying it off and placing into the bin.

Power tools (with cords or skins without batteries) that are no longer working should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Power tool batteries should be taken to the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal in the Community Recycling Centre (CRC) or to the Mobile CRC when it is at Bermagui, Wallagoot or Eden Waste and Recycling Centres.  Batteries CANNOT be placed in your landfill, recycling or FOGO bins. The national B-Cycle battery recycling scheme also has recycling points at tool and hardware stores. Find your nearest location here.

Prescription eye glasses in good condition (not scratched) can be donated to Lions Recycle for Sight Program or be dropped of at SpecSavers stores for recycling in the same program.

Printer cartridges (and home printer toner cartridges) can be taken to any Community Recycling Station at a Council Library for recycling.  Only these brands are accepted:   Commercial cartridges are not accepted at the Libraries.   

Electronic (E) Waste like printers, scanners or photocopiers can be taken to Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre for specialised recycling. There is a small fee for disposal.  Electronic waste is anything that has a power cord or a battery and includes: computers, monitors, keyboards, scanners, printers, phones, mobile phones, TV's, DVD/CD players, game consoles, or any small household appliance.  If your item is predominantly metal, it can be disposed of for free as scrap metal (at staff discretion).

PVC pipe is not recyclable and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).  Good quality pipe may be placed in a Reuse shop at the Waste and Recycling Centre (at staff discretion).

Pyrex items in good condition can be donated to charity shops or may be accepted into a Reuse Shop at our Waste and Recycling Centres for free (at staff discretion). Broken Pyrex items cannot be recycled due to the hardened glass they are made from, and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Household quantities of these items can be safely disposed of during the annual Household Chemical CleanOutcollection event.  Find out more and the next collection date here.    

Disposable razors are not recyclable due to being a mixed-material product. Please place in your red-lid landfill bin.

Receipts are not recyclable and should go in your red-lid landfill bin. Most receipts are a ‘thermal’ paper coated in a chemical formulation that makes it unsuitable to recycle.  

Unusable rope should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Rope in good condition may be accepted at a Reuse Shop at our Waste and Recycling Centres for free (at staff discretion).

Rubber bands are not recyclable. Please place in your red-lid landfill bin.

All seafood, including oyster shells, can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin.

Woven seed and grain bags are made from plastic, and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  They cannot be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin.

If broken or unusable, place in your red-lid landfill bin. Plastic seedling containers are NOT recyclable via your yellow-lid recycling bin.  Containers in good condition can be reused, check with your local nursery to see if they may accept them. Usable containers can also be taken to a Reuse shop at a Waste and Recycling Centre (at staff discretion).

Hard plastic packaging can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3). Empty contents, but no need to rinse.  Hard plastic includes bottles like water bottles, shampoo, detergent, body wash, sauce bottles, empty cleaning bottles and hard plastic containers like biscuit trays, fruit punnets and takeaway containers.  If you are unsure, check the packaging for the Australasian Recycling Label. Some eligible containers can be redeemed using the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn for a 10c refund - find your closest Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine. 

Sharps should NOT be placed in any kerbside bins and cannot be accepted at any Waste and Recycling Centre.  Used or unused sharps can be disposed of at local health care providers - Pambula District Hospital, Bega Hospital and Eden Community Health Centre.  More information can be found here 

Unusable items should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. Footwear cannot be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin.  Donate items in excellent condition to local charity shops or consider selling or giving away. 

Shredded paper can’t be processed at the recycling facility due to the small size of the paper pieces.  It should be placed in your red landfill bin, or can be used at home in your home compost bin or worm farm.  

Smoke detectors can be taken to the Community Recycling Centre (CRC) at Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre, the Mobile CRC or a Community Recycling Station at any Council Library for free disposal. Smoke detectors can also be disposed of for free at the annual Household Chemical Cleanout event.

Plastic soft drink bottles can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3). No need to rinse. Some eligible containers can be redeemed using the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn for a 10c refund - find your closest Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine here. 

Soft plastics like soft plastic packaging, plastic mailers, chip packets and cling wrap should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.    Woolworths has introduced a Soft Plastics Recycling Trial to our local Woolworths stores at Bega, Bermagui, Merimbula and Tura Beach (October 2025).  Drop off CLEAN plastic bags, chip packets, confectionary packaging, cereal liners and bread bags for recycling in the collection bag at the front of each store. Find out more information at this link

Small amounts of soil around the roots of plants can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin, otherwise, soil should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.  VENM (virgin excavated natural material) may be accepted at the Central Waste Facility only, for free disposal (commercial customers only). Conditions apply, you must submit waste classification report prior to arrival. Call Council for more information on 02 6499 2222.  Soil taken to Waste and Recycling Centres will be considered general waste and disposal will incur a fee.

Household Solar Panels can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free, for scrap metal recycling (accepted at staff discretion). 

Sporting equipment can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees may apply - items predominantely metal can be disposed of for free as scrap metal at staff discretion). Items in good condition may be placed in the Reuse shop at no charge (at staff discretion). Small items can be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Steel can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3).  Items predominately made from steel and other metals are recycled as scrap metal. 

Steel and other metal cans can be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3). No need to clean, but please make sure they are empty before disposing of them.

Paper and plastic straws are not recyclable and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Reusable metal and glass straws can be purchased cheaply to help you avoid these single-use items.

Styrofoam is not recyclable and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).

Sharps should NOT be placed in any kerbside bins and CANNOT be accepted at any Waste and Recycling Centre.  Used or unused sharps can be disposed of at local health care providers - Pambula District Hospital, Bega Hospital and Eden Community Health Centre. More information can be found here. 

Tablets and other e-waste can be taken to Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre for specialised recycling (fees apply).  You can also recycle tablets, iPads and accessories including chargers at any Telstra Store for free.

Hard plastic containers like take-away containers can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3).  Empty contents, but no need to rinse. If you are unsure if your item can be recycled, check the packaging for the Australasian Recycling Label. 

Tea bags should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. Most bags are made from finely woven plastics and cannot be composted.  If your brand of tea bags is made from a plant-based material or certified compostable, they may be composted safely at home. Alternatively, cut the bag and place the tea leaves in your FOGO bin before disposing of the bag in your red-lid landfill bin. 

Tea leaves (not tea bags) can be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin or composted at home.

Electronic (E) waste, including cordless phones, can be taken to Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre for specialised recycling (fees apply). 

Broken terracotta pots should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Take usable pots in good condition to a Reuse shop at a Waste and Recycling Centre, or give away for free.

Tetra packs and poppers can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3).  Please make sure they are empty first, and remove the straw for poppers. Straws should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Building timber can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply, maximum load of 3m3. Loads over 3m3 should be taken to the Central Waste Facility, commercial customers only). Timber in good condition may be accepted into a Reuseshop (at staff discretion). Treated timber and engineered timber (including ply wood, OSB or laminated wood) CANNOT be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin.

Timber and plastic pallets can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply).  Some pallets in excellent condition may be accepted in the Reuseshop at no charge (at staff discretion).

Building timber can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centrefor disposal (fees apply).  Timber in good condition may be accepted into a Reuse shop (at staff discretion).  Treated timber and engineered timber (including ply wood, OSB or laminated wood) CANNOT be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin.

Tissues should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  They are not recyclable or compostable in FOGO.

Toner cartridges from commercial photocopiers and scanners should be disposed of in your red-lid landfill bin. They CANNOT be disposed of at the Community Recycling Stations at Council libraries.  Some suppliers have recycling arrangements, and empty toner cartridges can be sent back for refilling and recycling - check with your supplier.

Plastic and wooden/bamboo toothbrushes should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. They are not recyclable/compostable in FOGO.  Bamboo/wooden toothbrushes may be compostable at home by removing the heads - they also make great seedling labels!

Toothpaste tubes and other liquid/paste tubes are not recyclable and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.

Donate toys in good condition to charity shops or offer on local buy, swap, sell sites.  You can also drop eligible toys (including broken) off at Big W's Toys for Joy program, where toys are donated to the Salvation Army or recycled.  Broken toys, including plastic ones, should be placed your red-lid landfill bin. 

Tupperware and other food storage containers and lunchboxes are not recyclable in your yellow-lid recycling bin.  If broken or unusable, dispose of them in your red-lid landfill bin or at any Waste and Recycling Centre (fees apply). Tupperware branded items can be returned to Tupperware for recycling - find more information here. 

Electronic (E)-Waste can be taken to Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centreto be recycled (fees apply).  E Waste is transported to specialised recyclers and precious metals are recovered for use in other electronics, reducing the reliance on mining for these metals. 

Car, truck and tractor tyres can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for recycling (limit of 5 tyres per customer, fees apply).

Vacuum cleaner dust and bags should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  They cannot go in your green-lid FOGO bin.

Single-use vapes can be taken to the Merimbula Community Recycling Centre at the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre.  They CANNOT be placed in your landfill, recycling or FOGO bins. They contain hazardous material and are a fire risk due to the battery contained in them. If you can remove the battery (from reusable vapes, for example), the battery only can be taken to the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal in the Community Recycling Centre (CRC) or to the Mobile CRC where they are sent away for recycling at specialised facilities. 

Waxed cardboard is not recyclable due to the waxed coating. Place these in your red-lid landfill bin.

Most weeds (but not all, see below) can be placed in your green-lid FOGO binor taken to Merimbula, Wallagoot, Bermagui or Eden Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply). Branches up to 50mm in diameter can be placed in your FOGO bin. Please make sure your FOGO bin lid can close, so the truck can safely empty your bin.    Important - Not all weeds can be disposed of through FOGO.  Any high risk weeds listed within the South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2023–2027 or as a State Priority Weedby DPI are prohibited from being placed in your FOGO bin.  These weeds should not be transported and must be destroyed on-site to prevent their spread (keeping in mind that many invasive species can spread vegetatively from plant parts, not just from seeds!).  Visit Councils website for more information.

Windows can be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fees apply). Items in good condition may be placed in the Reuseshop for no charge (at staff discretion).

Can be put in your recycling bin or taken to any tip for free.  No need to rinse, simply place them straight into your recycle bin.

Glass wine bottles can be put in your yellow-lid recycling bin or taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for free (for loads under 1m3). No need to rinse. 

Cardboard packaging can be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin.  Wine bladders are not recyclable and should be removed from the cardboard and placed in your red-lid landfill bin. 

Baby wipes/wipes should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Wipes are not recyclable or compostable even if marked as such and do not go in recycling or FOGO bins.  Never flush wipes - even if they are labelled ‘flushable’. Wipes clog sewer and septic systems.

Used or dirty bamboo and wooden cutlery should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.  Bamboo and wooden cutlery cannot be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin. Cutlery made of wood or bamboo may be composted at home.

Wooden furniture including cane and rattan outdoor furniture should be taken to any Waste and Recycling Centre for disposal (fee apply). Items in good condition may be accepted in the Reuseshop (at staff discretion).  Wooden, cane and rattan furniture CANNOT be place in your green-lid FOGO bin.

Used or dirty bamboo and wooden skewers should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. Bamboo and wooden skewers cannot be placed in your green-lid FOGO bin. Skewers made of wood or bamboo may be composted at home.

Paper-based wrapping paper can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin. Cellophane, glitter or plastic coated (shiny) wrapping paper cannot be recycled and should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin. Keep wrapping paper to reuse or repurpose where possible, or avoid using it whenever you can - here are some great alternatives -→ 5 eco-friendly alternatives to wrapping paper | Banish Online Store

X-rays contain heavy metals and reactive and flammable material. Do not place them in your red-lid landfill bin or yellow-lid recycling bins. You can mail small quantities for recycling to a specialised recycler - more information can be found here 

Soft plastics like ziplock bags should be placed in your red-lid landfill bin.   Woolworths has introduced a Soft Plastics Recycling Trial to our local Woolworths stores at Bega, Bermagui, Merimbula and Tura Beach (October 2025).  Drop off CLEAN plastic bags, chip packets, confectionary packaging, cereal liners and bread bags for recycling in the collection bag at the front of each store. Find out more information at this link   Alternatively, send them back in the post for recycling via the Terracycle GLAD® Food Care Free Recycling Program - all brands of cling film, sandwich and ziplock bags are accepted.