Looking after your bins

Here are some tips to help you reduce smells, and wash and create more space in your landfill, recycling and food and garden waste bins.

• Tips for washing your bins
• Reducing smells from your landfill (red) bin
• Reducing smells from your caddy and food and garden waste (green) bin
• Creating more space in your bins
• How to place your bin

Tips for washing your bins

If your bin is dirty or smelly, you can give it a quick wash with a hose. For a more thorough clean, you can use dish detergent and a broom. It is best to wash your bin on a warm, sunny day so it dries quicker.

For a quick wash:

• Use a garden hose to rinse the inside of the bin. A high-pressure hose can help give it a thorough clean, however a garden hose will work as well.
• Turn the bin upside down to drain the water. Laying the bin on its side first, before spraying with the hose, can make it easier to turn the bin upside down.
• Once the water has drained out, turn the bin upright and let it dry completely before using it again.

For a thorough clean:

• Use a garden hose to spray inside the bin. Wet all sides and fill the bottom of the bin with about 15cm of water.
• Squirt a small amount of dish detergent into the water and using a long-handled broom, mix the water and detergent together until it becomes soapy.
• Use the broom to scrub the inside of the bin. Don’t forget to scrub the bottom of the bin and the lid as well. Dip the broom in the soapy water before cleaning each side; this will help ensure soapy water is used each time.

• Turn the bin upside down to drain the water. Once the water has drained, turn the bin upright and let it dry completely before using it again.

Reducing smells from your landfill (red) bin

• Wrap or bag all rubbish before it goes in your landfill (red) bin.
• When bagging disposable nappies or pet waste, squeeze any air out of the bag before tying it closed. Double bagging can further help to reduce smells.
• Put all food and garden waste in your food and garden waste (green) bin.
• Keep the bin lid closed when it isn’t in use.
• Keep your bin in the shade, out of direct sunlight (where possible).
• Sprinkle bi-carb (baking) soda or a small amount (1-2 handfuls) of cat litter in the bin. This can help to soak up any odour and liquids that can cause your bin to smell.
• Spray lavender or mint around the bin lid.
• Rinse or clean your bin out occasionally, or when it is noticeably dirty or smelly.

Reducing smells from your caddy and food and garden waste (green) bin

Odours and smells from food waste is common, particularly in warmer weather when the food may start to break down in your food and garden waste (green) bin.

See how to reduce smells in your caddy and green waste bin

Creating more space in your bins

Landfill (red) bin

• Check that you are putting all accepted items in your recycling (yellow) bin or food and garden waste (green) bin
• Squeeze any air from bags of rubbish before placing in your bin.
• Find out how you can recycle other items, such as clothing and toys, rather than sending them to landfill.

Recycling (yellow) bin

• Put all items loose in your yellow bin.
• Only put accepted items in your yellow bin. See what can go in your recycling bin
• Flatten cardboard boxes. Large boxes can be torn or cut into smaller pieces (no smaller than A4 size).
• Take cardboard to the Monash Recycling and Waste Centre (free).

Food and garden waste (green) bin

• Only put accepted items in your green bin. See what can go in your food and garden waste bin
• Put all garden clippings loose in the green bin.
• Cut any plants or branches into smaller pieces before putting in your green bin.
• Ensure sticks and branches are under 40cm in length.
• Take grass clippings and garden prunings to the Monash Recycling and Waste Centre (costs apply).