When it comes to keeping our gardens tidy, having the right waste disposal system is key. In Australia, many of us rely on garden waste bins, also known as green bins, to help manage our outdoor clutter.
But do you know exactly what should and shouldn’t go in these bins? Let’s break it down so you can make the most of your green bin while helping the environment, starting with answering the question: ‘How many garden waste bins can I have?’
What Belongs in Your Garden Waste Bin
- Grass Clippings
After giving your lawn a trim, those grass clippings can go straight into your garden waste bin. They’re like gold for composting! - Small Garden Prunings
When you’re pruning your shrubs and trees, toss the small clippings into your bin. Just make sure they’re not too big. - Twigs and Small Branches
Those little twigs and branches cluttering up your yard? Yep, they can go in the green bin too. Just keep them within the size limits. - Leaves
Raking up leaves? No problem! They’re perfect for composting, so toss them in your bin. - Flowers and Foliage
Dead flowers and foliage from your garden beds? They’re fair game for the green bin. - Weeds, Ivy, Creepers, and Vines
Got pesky weeds taking over your garden? Don’t worry, you can chuck them in the bin too. Just watch out for seeds! - Untreated Timber/Wood
If you’ve got small bits of untreated timber or wood lying around from DIY projects, they can go in the bin as well.
What to Avoid Putting in Your Garden Waste Bin
- Plastic Bags or General Household Waste
Your garden waste bin is strictly for organic stuff. So, no plastic bags or regular household rubbish, please. - Food Scraps
Even though they’re organic, food scraps shouldn’t go in your green bin unless there’s a specific food waste recycling program in your area. - Vegetable Scraps
The same goes for vegetable scraps. Keep them out of the green bin unless there’s a designated food waste collection. - Soil, Rocks, Gravel
Your green bin isn’t the place for soil or rocks. They’ll mess up the composting process. - Treated or Painted Timber
If your timber or wood has been treated with chemicals or paint, it doesn’t belong in the green bin. Stick to untreated stuff. - Garden Pots or Tools
Non-organic items like garden pots or tools should find a different home. Try recycling or donating them instead. - Building Materials
Got leftover bricks or tiles from a project? They’re a no-go for the green bin. Find another way to dispose of them. - Dead Animals
Unfortunately, your green bin isn’t equipped to handle dead animals. Contact your local council for proper disposal options.
Why Proper Disposal Matters
The stuff you put in your garden waste bin gets taken to composting facilities, where it’s turned into useful things like mulch and compost. By sticking to the guidelines, you help ensure that the composting process goes smoothly and that the end product is top-notch.
Garden Waste Bin Services in Western Australia (WA)
If you’re in WA, chances are your local council provides one green bin per household as part of the waste management system. These bins, usually sporting lime green lids, get emptied fortnightly or weekly, depending on where you live.
And if you’ve got a big garden project on your hands, you can always hire a skip bin from a private waste company for the extra green waste. Keeping your garden waste bin in check is a simple way to do your part for the environment.
By knowing what belongs there and what doesn’t, you can help ensure that your green waste gets turned into something useful instead of ending up in a landfill. So, next time you’re cleaning up your yard, keep these guidelines in mind and give your green bin the care it deserves.
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