Ipswich City Council

Green Waste Service

Green-bin Council is offering all Ipswich property owners a great value and convenient green waste collection service, turning your green waste into compost!

Green waste is organic material from your garden such as grass clippings, prunings and leaves. Approximately 37% of the domestic waste stream is green waste, which currently ends up at landfill.

With the new green waste service, residents will receive a specifically designed green waste bin from Ipswich Waste Services. The organic material from this bin will be collected from your home on a fortnightly basis and then mulched and turned into compost at a local composting facility.

This is a great environmental outcome for the City of Ipswich.

Cost of service:

The cost for each green waste service will be $12.50 per quarter. There will be no further charges. Charges will appear on the rates account and the billing will start when the collection service commences. Residents must commit to the service for a minimum of 12 months from service commencement. After this time, the service can be cancelled at any time.

How to apply for a green waste service?

Home owners: If you are interested in applying for a green waste service, please complete the online form or contact Council.

Tenants: Only property owners or managing agents can apply for the green waste service as the charges are billed to the rates. If you are a tenant, please contact the property owner who will need to complete the online form or contact Council on your behalf.

Units/ townhouses: For units or townhouses with a building manager or body corporate, the building manager or body corporate will need to complete the online form or contact Council.

When will the green waste collection service commence?

The target date for service commencement is September 2011.

The service will be offered on a fortnightly basis using 240-litre mobile green bins. Service days will be the same day as the residents normal refuse collection service, and on the alternate week to the recycling service. The green waste bin must be correctly placed at kerbside in the same manner as the refuse and recycling bins.

What can I place in my green bin?

The following materials will be accepted:

prunings and grass clippings
shrubs
weeds
leaves and loose bark

Materials must be placed loose in the bin and NOT in plastic bags or boxes

Non-acceptable items:

NO plastic bags
No kitchen waste, including fruit and vegetable scraps
No animal droppings
No general recycling or rubbish
No stones, concrete or masonry
No large logs, branches and stumps that that may make the bin too heavy to service.

FAQs

I currently rent a property in Ipswich. Can I apply for a green waste bin?

The charges for the green waste service are billed on the council rates. Therefore the property owner or managing agent needs to apply for the green waste service on your behalf.

Can I continue to put green waste in my normal refuse bin?

Although there is nothing stopping you from putting green waste into your refuse bin, it is then classed as general waste and all ends up at landfill. If you opt to sign up for the new green waste service, your green organic material will instead be turned into compost. This is better news for the environment and gives you more space in your refuse bin.

What is the difference between the green waste bin and my refuse and recycling bin?

The green waste bin has been specifically designed for the collection of garden waste. Your green waste bin will have a lime green lid, differentiating it from your existing refuse and recycling bin. Your green waste bin has air vents and a base plate that allows oxygen to move freely though the bin aiding evaporation and assisting in the decomposition process. This design helps to minimize odours and provides an adverse environment for insects. For more information about the green waste bin, click here.

How big is the new green waste bin?

The green waste bin is a 240-litre mobile bin, the same size as your current refuse and recycling bins. The bin will have a dark green body with a lime green lid. The wheels on the base allow the bin to be easily manoeuvred around residential properties.

I am worried that my green waste bin may smell?

The green waste bins are specifically designed for the effective management of green waste using natural aeration. The air vents and base plate located in the bin help to keep air circulating around the green waste material reducing odours. For more information about the green waste bin, click here.

What if I decide I no longer require the green waste collection service?

Once the green waste service commences, you are committed to the service for 12 months. If, after the 12 months have elapsed, you decide you no longer require the green waste service, you can cancel at any time by contacting Council.

If I move house, what will happen to my green waste bin service?

If you move house, please contact Council to have the green waste bin removed and the charges taken off the rates. You can then apply to Council to have another green bin delivered to your new property.

Can I have more than one green waste bin?

Yes, you can contact Council to arrange for an additional green waste bin. However, you will need to ensure that there is enough space for you to store the bin at your property and that there is room at the front of your property for the additional bin to be placed at kerbside for servicing.

You will be charged an additional $12.50 per quarter for any additional green waste bins. The service day will remain fortnightly on the alternate week to your recycling collection day.

What if I have too much garden material for my green waste bin?

If your green waste bin is too full or too heavy, it may not be serviced. You can continue to take green waste to the Riverview Recycling and Refuse Centre, where it will be mulched and used for compost. Alternatively, you can apply for an additional green waste bin.

Why has my green waste bin not been serviced?

Your green waste bin will not be serviced if it is too heavy or has the wrong materials inside. It is essential that only garden materials go into the green waste bin. Items such as plastic bags, boxes, general waste etc will contaminate the green waste making it unsuitable for composting purposes. If green waste bins continue to be contaminated, the bin may be removed from the property.

Why can I not put my kitchen scraps into the green waste bin?

At this stage, the green bins are only for the collection of excess garden materials, and Council has not yet got the procedures in place to manage kitchen organic scraps. This may be a consideration in the future. Please do not place kitchen scraps in your green waste bin.

Last Updated 2 Apr 2012 |

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