Resources
Waste & Recycling
We all produce waste on a daily basis - that’s hard to avoid! Here’s some tips on how to best manage all types of household waste, ideas on how to reduce our waste and our carbon footprint.

Get better at everyday waste management
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There are simple steps to reduce the amount of rubbish you send to landfill in the ACT. Disposing of waste properly helps the environment. Avoiding food waste could even save you money. If you can't reduce or reuse, then recycle. Follow simple recycling rules to get your waste sorted. The ACT Government’s A-Z Recycling and Waste Guide has a comprehensive list of recyclable items to help you recycle right.
For other recycling options near you, visit Recycle Mate or Planet Ark Recycling Near You
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Canberra households are eligible for one free bulky waste collection each financial year for hard rubbish that won’t fit in kerbside bins (eg. old furniture and broken appliances). Find out which items are accepted.
E-waste includes any item with a plug, battery or power cord that’s no longer working or unwanted. Items in good condition can be donated to Goodies Junction (Mitchell or Mugga Lane).
You can also dispose of your e-waste for free here:
· Mitchell Resource Management Centre (Mitchell)
· Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre (Symonston)
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The Recyclery (Harrison) – accepts donations of second-hand bicycles in reasonable condition.
Goodies Junction (Mitchell, or Mugga Lane) – accepts reusable goods, including homeware, building & DIY, fashion and textiles, entertainment, electronics, outdoor goods and active gear.
Give Now (Australia wide) – accepts a wide range of goods from books and cars, to electrical and hair, and mobile phones and stamps.
‘Recycling Near You’ with Planet Ark (Australia wide) – cover what goes in your local household recycling bin and recycling/reuse options for clothing, electronics, mattresses, paint, white goods, coffee capsules and more.
GIVIT (Australia wide) – accepts pre-loved, quality items and redirects it from landfill to Australians in need.
Clean, usable items can also be donated to op shops and clothes bins.
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Garden organics like shrubs, trees and grass clippings, leaves and general garden waste can be dropped off at three main facilities in the ACT: at Corkhill Bros (Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre, Symonston) and Canberra Sand and Gravel(West Belconnen Resource Management Centre and Vicars Street, Mitchell).
Organic food waste and kitchen scraps can also be dropped off at the Canberra Environment Centre where it will be fed into our giant ‘Worms Downunder’ worm farm which is full of wriggling composters from Global Worming! Details here.
Articles
Catchup on our latest Enews, with Permaculture legends visiting and loads of enviro-friendly workshops coming up!
The Canberra Environment Centre is bidding farewell Fiona Veikkanen, our Executive Director this July.
Try these neat tips next time you’re out shopping to help reduce waste.
The Canberra Environment Centre and The Recyclery are thrilled to announce that we’ve been successful in applying for a Community Zero Emissions Grant!
There are many ways we can reduce the amount of waste we create at home. Try these neat ideas!
Catchup on our latest Enews, with a job opportunity at The Recyclery and loads of enviro-friendly workshops coming up!
It’s International Compost Awareness Week! In Australia, May is an especially excellent time of year to get composting with an abundance of carbon rich autumn leaves on hand.
Some handy hints for reducing your waste when moving home or decluttering your space.
Canberra Environment Centre attended the ACT Government’s recent Schools Climate Action Conference at the University of Canberra to talk with secondary students.
The Recyclery Community Bike Repair Shed has been so busy as we move in, implement finishing touches, and continue to be blown away by the community’s incredible support!
Reduce how much waste is generated in your work or home office by using these clever tips.
Try these tips for reducing food waste. Your chooks and compost and worms will love you!
Try these tips for waste-free washing when washing your clothes.
Join us to celebrate the official Grand Opening of the Recyclery’s Community Bike Repair Shed!
BMX and Mountain Bike World Champion and two times Olympian CAROLINE BUCHANAN is supporting the Recyclery’s New Community Bike Repair Shed by donating a SIGNED ‘Fasthouse Caroline Buchanan Jersey’.
Construction of the Recyclery’s new Community Bike Repair Shed is well and truly underway and we're *almost* open!
Please help support our fundraising campaign for the Recyclery’s new Bike Repair Shed!
Clothes swap are a fun and social way to refresh your wardrobe with ‘new-to-you’ second hand clothes.
In a world where most things are mass produced to be cheaper than cheap, unique items have special value. They speak of character and celebrate everyone’s unique personality.
Cloth alternatives are cheaper and easier to use than ever and have less impact on the environment than disposable nappies.
While fashion’s impact on the environment depends on how and what its made from, fashion still has a substantial impact on our planet, contributing towards biodiversity loss, the changing climate and ever-increasing pollution levels.
We’re building a new community bike repair shed in North Canberra for The Recyclery so it can continue providing the public with affordable, reliable second-hand bikes and keep building the community’s bike repair skills.
Upcoming Events
Give your clothes, shoes and accessories another chance at life!
Swapping clothes is a practical way to reduce waste and have fun at the same time.
Learn a natural dyeing technique called eco-printing and take home your own eco-printed silk scarf.
Visible mending is a wonderful way to reduce your impact on the planet while exploring and expressing your own creativity. With Canberra artist Michele Grimston.
We’ve joined this year's 'Canberra Day Appeal' with Hands Across Canberra to raise much needed funds to continue fitting out the new bike repair shed.