Bins at units, townhouses and apartments

4-bin service for units, townhouses and apartments

We understand that not all households have space to store 4 bins. That’s why we providie a slightly different service to people living in units, townhouses and apartments across Merri-bek.

We trialled the 4-bin service with over 1,000 households to help shape how we deliver the service to households like yours.

Most people living in units, townhouses and apartments use shared bins

  • Shared bins are clearly signed and stored in a common area where all residents can use them
  • A lower waste charge applies where shared bins are used

Some households need to use a glass recycling drop-off point

  • Residents in certain developments or streets may need to take their glass bottles and jars to a glass recycling drop-off point

  • In April we notified residents who need to use a glass recycling drop-off point by mail

  • Glass recycling drop-off points are clearly signed and were installed in June 2023

There have no changes to your general rubbish bins

Please continue to use the general rubbish bins you currently have, whether they are shared, or you have your own.

Your service varies based on the number of households in your development

  • This applies to most townhouse developments or small unit blocks.

    Mixed recycling

    • You will have your own 240 litre mixed recycling bin that will be collected fortnightly.
    • Additional bins will arrive in March-April so that every household has their own mixed recycling bin.
    • This bin is to be stored on your own property. This will create space for shared glass recycling and food and garden organics bins in communal storage areas.

    Glass recycling

    • You will use a shared glass recycling bin that will be collected monthly.
    • This bin will arrive in April-May.
    • 1 x 120 litre glass recycling bin will be delivered to your development.
    • More shared glass recycling bins can be requested through your Owners Corporation from August.

    Food and garden organics

    • You will use shared food and garden organics bins that will be collected weekly.
    • If you do not already have a shared food and garden organics bin, you will receive one in June.
    • 1 x 240 litre food and garden organics bin will be delivered to your development.

    If you already have your own light green-lidded bin for food and garden waste, you may continue to use this.

  • This applies to larger townhouse developments and medium-sized unit or apartment blocks.

    Mixed recycling

    • You will use shared 240 litre mixed recycling bins that will be collected fortnightly.
    • Additional shared bins will arrive in March-April.
    • If you already have your own yellow-lidded bin for mixed recycling, you will get a larger 240 litre bin for your household to use.

    Glass recycling

    • You will use shared glass recycling bins that will be collected monthly.
    • These bins will arrive in April-May.
    • 2 x 120 litre glass recycling bins will be delivered to your development.
    • More shared glass recycling bins can be requested through your Owners Corporation from August.

    Food and garden organics

    • You will use shared food and garden organics bins that will be collected weekly.
    • If you do not already have a shared food and garden organics bin, you will receive one in June.
    • 1 x 120 litre food and garden organics bin will be delivered for every 4 dwellings in your developmen (up to a maximum of 4 bins).

    If you already have your own light green-lidded bin for food and garden waste, you may continue to use this.

  • This applies to large apartment buildings or precinct developments using shared bins.

    Mixed recycling

    • There will be no changes to your mixed recycling service.
    • You will use shared mixed recycling bins that will continue to be collected weekly.
    • A weekly mixed recycling service will be provided as these types of developments don't have enough space to store extra recycling bins.
    • Glass will no longer go in this bin from 1 July.

    Glass recycling

    • You will use shared glass recycling bins that will be collected monthly.
    • These bins will arrive in April-May.
    • 2 x 120 litre glass recycling bins will be delivered to your development.
    • More shared glass recycling bins can be requested through your Owners Corporation from August.

    Food and garden organics

    • You will use shared food and garden organics bins that will be collected weekly.
    • If you do not already have shared food and garden organics bins, you will receive some in June.
    • 4 x 120 litre food and garden organics bins will be delivered to your development.
    • If you already have your own light green-lidded bin for food and garden waste, you may continue to use this.

Can we change the number and size of our bins?

If you would like to review how many shared bins you have at your property, your Owners Corporation or alternative representative can request a review. 
Download the form to request a review of your bins (doc 372kb)

Please email this form to waste@merri-bek.vic.gov.au. We will organise a site visit to review your property's waste needs.

More information about using the 4-bin service at your building

  • Sign up to our Bin Smart Buildings eNews for regular news and updates on managing waste at units, townhouses and apartments. If you are a landlord, property manager or real estate agent, please share this information with the residents living in the properties you manage that use Council's kerbside waste service.

Subscribe to Bin Smart Buildings

  • For more information on how the new 4-bin service affects your household, please visit our new 4-bin service page on Conversations Merri-bek.
  • To download posters that show what can go in each bin, visit our Conversations Merri-bek site under Bin Posters.
  • Update your knowledge today. Learn how you can reduce your waste and check that you are sorting your waste correctly now.