How we will support you
See what supports will be available to help you make the change to rubbish collections every 2 weeks.
In 2021, after 3 stages of community consultation, Council adopted our Kerbside Waste Service and Charge Policy. We have been rolling out changes to our kerbside waste service in stages since then. Changing rubbish collections to every 2 weeks is the last stage.
In June, Council will make a final decision about a proposed change to kerbside rubbish bins.
Why collect rubbish every 2 weeks?
It is costing more to send waste to landfill every year, so it is important to reduce what goes into landfill. By moving to fortnightly rubbish collections, we can:
- Keep costs down for ratepayers
- Send less waste to landfill
- Turn more food and garden waste into compost
- Cut climate pollution and emissions
What will happen?
If Council confirms this final stage of change, we’ll increase the size of the standard rubbish bin from 80 litres to 120 litres (red lid).
Different sizes of bins will be available for properties who need them.
We know that fortnightly rubbish collections will be particularly challenging for certain households. To help with the change, eligible households will be able to get a larger rubbish bin (above the 120-litre standard size) at no extra cost.
We will support households to get the right bin size, use their food and garden organics (FOGO) bin more, and remember what week to put their rubbish bin out.
How do we know it will work?
26 Victorian councils have already moved to fortnightly rubbish collections. They are now sending less waste to landfill, creating more compost, and reducing costs and climate pollution.
The other metropolitan councils collecting rubbish fortnightly are:
- Banyule
- Bayside
- Boroondara
- Glen Eira
- Knox
- Manningham
- Monash
- Nillumbik
- Yarra Ranges
Since July 2025, we’ve been running a trial where we collect rubbish every 2 weeks in parts of Hadfield, Brunswick and Brunswick West.
Though some found it challenging, others adjusted quickly to the change.
After 6 months of the trial, we've seen great results.
- More food waste is going into FOGO bins and less in rubbish bins.
- Many households have reduced the amount of rubbish they produce.
- Most households were able to adjust to the change.
Join the conversation
Online survey
- Find the rust-coloured "LOG IN/JOIN" button at the top of the page and click it to start registering.
- Select "LOG IN" if you already have a profile on Conversations Merri-bek OR select "SIGN UP" to create a new profile.
- To create your profile you will need to add: Screen name, email address, password, full name and postcode. Check the boxes that apply and click "CREATE ACCOUNT".
- You can now continue with your submission
We require you to register to complete the form to protect the integrity and fairness of the consultation.
The information you provide also helps us to meet our legislative obligations and improve our processes.
Your personal details will not be used for any other purpose. Find out more about our privacy policy here: https://conversations.merri-bek.vic.gov.au/privacy...
In-person
Talk to us at a pop-up
Monday 16 March 11:00 am to 02:00 pm
Glenroy Hub, Wheatsheaf Road
Wednesday 25 March 10:00 am to 01:00 pm
West Street, Hadfield
Wednesday 25 March 03:00 pm to 06:00 pm
Fawkner Leisure Centre
Friday 27 March 11:00 am to 02:00 pm
Victoria Mall. Coburg
Join a focus group
We will be running focus groups as part of this engagement to understand how different community members could be supported with the proposed change to fortnightly rubbish collections. We are especially keen to hear from:
- Large family households
- Households with young children in nappies
- People with medical needs that increase their household waste
- People who are concerned about how this change might affect them.
You can download a print copy of the focus group expression of interest form and submit it by:
| wasteprojects@merri-bek.vic.gov.au |
More
You can download a print copy of the online survey, complete it and submit it by:
| wasteprojects@merri-bek.vic.gov.au | |
| In writing | Attention Waste Projects Locked bag 10, Brunswick 3056 90 Bell Street, Coburg 3058 |
