Unsure how to dispose of your Christmas tree? Or how to stop gift packaging from taking over your bins?
We've put together some handy festive season tips on how to plan ahead and better manage your recycling and waste over the holidays.
Please note, the Monash Recycling and Waste Centre is closed from 12pm on 12 December. It is also closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Top tips
Packaging
Monash residents can recycle excess cardboard packaging and rigid, white polystyrene for free at the Monash Recycling and Waste Centre. You can see the full range of what can be accepted and pricing at Monash Recycling & Waste Centre accepted items and fees.
Christmas trees
If your Christmas tree is real, cut it into small pieces and place in your food and garden waste (green lid) bin. Take larger real trees to the Recycling Centre (fees may apply).
Food waste
Refrigerate or freeze leftovers (or give to guests to take home).
To help minimise food waste smells, freeze food scraps in an airtight container. The night before bin collection, empty the scraps in your food and garden waste (green lid) bin. You can also sprinkle bi-carb soda on your food waste to absorb smells.
Wrapping and decorations
Wrap items in creative ways, such as with recycled wrapping or fabric.
Glitter is a microplastic. Any cardboard or paper with glitter must go in the landfill (red lid) bin. They cannot go in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.
Use reusable and recyclable Christmas decorations, or decorations using natural materials.
Wooden items and timber are often treated with paint or chemicals which contaminate the compost created from the food and garden waste bin. If it's not natural wood (like sticks or small branches from your garden), put it in your landfill (red lid) bin.
Plates, cups and cutlery
Keep your celebration low-waste by avoiding single-use items. Instead use reusable and washable plates, cutlery and glasses.
If you do use single-use plates, cups and cutlery, please place them in your landfill (red lid) bin.
Even if they're labelled compostable, do not place them in your food and garden waste (green lid) bins. These can go in home compost systems, but they cannot break down fast enough in the kerbside food and garden waste composting process.
