Bulky waste collection

The annual bulky waste and scrap metal clean-up is a free annual service for all MidCoast residents who currently receive a domestic waste and recycling collection service, and is a great way to dispose of unwanted household items.

The bulky waste and scrap metal collection for 2021 is complete. We will update this page when dates for 2022 have been finalised.

The collection covers two types of waste, to be presented neatly in two separate piles:

• Scrap metal - all scrap metal collected will be recycled.
• A separate pile is for general bulky waste - everything you place in this general waste pile will be sent to landfill, so if an item can be re-used by someone else, try finding it a new home instead.

See below for more information on items that will, and won't be collected as part of the bulky waste collection and for guidelines on preparing your waste to avoid being fined.

Items that will be collected

Your total pile must be no larger than two cubic metres, and presented neatly on the kerb separated as follows:

Scrap metal and white goods (all metal items will be recycled):

• Fridges* and washing machines*
• Microwaves*
• Metal push lawn mowers and wheelbarrows
• Empty paint tins (lids removed)
• Stoves
• Clothes dryers*
• Barbecues
• Pushbikes
• Hot water systems (less than 260 litres)
• Metal furniture

* Doors must be removed from household appliances and whitegoods, and individual items must not exceed 30kg in weight

General bulky waste and eWaste

(all general bulky waste will be landfilled, so please try rehoming any re-usable items instead)

• Eskies
• Furniture / chairs
• Bric-a-brac
• Lounges (that comply with size limit)
• Floor coverings
• Vacuum cleaners and small appliances
• Pottery and ceramics
• Tables Foam mattresses (no springs)
• e-Waste such as computers, TVs, VCRs, stereos, copiers, faxes and mobile phones

Items that will not be collected

Please do not place any of the following items out with your piles of waste for collection - one unacceptable item in your pile may mean the entire pile is rejected.

• Wire-spring mattresses and bed bases (however, 2 wire spring mattresses or 1 mattress and bed base - per household - can be dropped off for free at your nearest Waste Management Centre during the clean-up period in your region)
• Oil heaters
• Commercial, trade, industrial or shop waste, eg plumbing fixtures, water tanks and tiling
• Tyres, wrecked motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts and engines
• Building and demolition materials, concrete, bricks and panes of glass
• Household hazardous waste, eg paint, spray paint, asbestos, solvents, chemicals, cleaners and unwanted medicines
• Lengths of material longer than 1.8m (excluding lounges etc)
• Small machinery containing fuel or oil
• Liquids of any sort including fuel and oil
• Batteries and gas bottles
• Recyclables collected in the yellow lidded bin, household garbage, and food scraps
• Garden organics, timber, grass clippings, soil and stones
• Treated timber, tree stumps and heavy branches
• Hot water systems larger than 260 litres
• Glass, windows or sliding doors that contain glass
• Fencing wire

Please note - Waste items that are not accepted in the bulky waste clean-up can be disposed of at your local waste management facility (fees may apply).

Free all year round: Household quantities of paint, oil, gas bottles, batteries, smoke detectors, fluoro globes, electronic waste and fire extinguishers can be disposed of for free at your local CRC at any time.

Check here to find your closest waste management facility and its hours of operation.

Guidelines for preparing your waste

Before you start putting items out for collection, please note the following:

Can it be re-used? All general waste we collect during the clean-up is buried in our landfills so if anything is suitable for re-use please try to find it a new home. Think about your neighbours and friends, or try an online service such as Gumtree or Buy Swap and Sell.

Is it sorted? Your waste must be separated into two separate piles - one for scrap metal and whitegoods, and one for general waste

Will it fit into a trailer? Your total load (ie both piles) must fit into a standard (7’x4’) level box trailer (2 cubic metres)... if not, it won’t be picked up

Is it manageable? Individual items must not exceed 30kg

Is it secure? To avoid windblown littering, loose items must be tied securely into bundles with rope or string (not wire), or contained in sturdy boxes (no plastic bags)

Is it in the way? Your waste must be placed neatly on the kerb or roadside where your bins are normally collected, and should not obstruct the footpath or roadway

Is it on time? Make sure your waste is out on the dates specified for your zone, as our trucks will not return at a later date to collect it - refer to the schedule to determine when yours should go out

Is it illegal? Don’t put your waste out earlier than shown on the schedule – this will be considered illegal dumping and you could be fined. And don't leave items out after the collection has finished in your zone - our contractor has the right to reject any material they consider unacceptable, and it is your responsibility to remove them within 24 hours (penalties apply)

What is accepted? See the above tabs for an outline of what will be accepted and what will not. Contractors will not sort through your piles, so one unacceptable item may mean your entire pile is not collected.

Need more info? Call our Customer Service Team on 1300 290 763.