The City of Ballarat is once again supporting residents with their spring clean-up efforts via the return of Free Green Waste Week and Half Price Mattress Week.
From Saturday 8 November to Sunday 16 November, residents can dispose of domestic green waste free of charge at the Ballarat Transfer Station. Last year, more than 1,800 cubic metres of green waste was dropped off during the initiative.
The Free Green Waste Week initiative is for City of Ballarat residents only, those living outside the municipality will have to pay a fee as per normal Ballarat Transfer Station charges.
Green waste includes prunings, small branches, grass, leaves and flowers.
Each year, approximately 25,000 cubic meters of green waste from Ballarat households is processed and repurposed for agricultural and residential use.
Half Price Mattress Week will run from Saturday 6 to Friday 12 December, allowing residents to dispose of old mattresses for just $16.56, half the usual cost (full cost remain for non-residents). In 2024, 142 mattresses were dropped off during the initiative. These are transported to a Melbourne facility where springs, foam and timber are recovered for recycling.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves, said both initiatives are designed to support residents in maintaining their properties and disposing of waste responsibly.
"Free Green Waste Week is a great opportunity to prepare for the fire season, clear gutters, prune branches and keep lawns tidy," she said.
"Half Price Mattress Week offers an affordable option for disposing of mattresses, which contain recyclable materials. Reducing the cost helps discourage illegal dumping and promotes responsible disposal."
Residents are reminded that green waste must be separated from other materials, and loads must not exceed four cubic metres (approximately the area of a 8x5ft caged trailer).
Items such as food waste, plastic pots, glass, metal, building rubble and soil are not accepted as green waste. Mixed loads will be charged at the standard rates for either General Waste or Rubble.
In addition to green waste, the Ballarat Transfer Station accepts from City of Ballarat residents a range of other items free of charge, including:
- Household kerbside recycling materials
- Paper and cardboard
- Glass and plastic containers (types 1 and 2)
- Triple-rinsed agricultural chemical containers
- Metal, steel, aluminium
- Cooking oil
Conditions apply regarding volume, size, product type, time of year and eligibility.
The Ballarat Transfer Station is located at 119 Gillies Street South, Alfredton. During November, it is open 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on weekends. Please refer to ballarat.vic.gov.au for public holiday closures.
