Changing to fortnightly collection

When will the changes come into effect?

The fortnightly bin collection will start on February 4 for all residents. The new schedule has been mailed out  to residents with the new updates.

If you haven’t got a bin calendar you can download the latest version here: wrc.sa.gov.au

Why are we changing the kerbside waste collection system?

While recognising environmental benefits associated with reducing waste to landfill, the change is also driven by the associated cost increases to retain the current system.

Councils pay a levy set by the State Government for every tonne of material sent to landfill.

This levy has increased significantly in recent years and can be expected to keep growing, which will drive up waste service fees to the customer.

For reference, the levy for disposing a tonne of waste to landfill 20 years ago was $5. By January 2020 it was $70 per tonne. This year it is $80.50 per tonne.

Green Industries SA explains the levy increases are used as a tool to encourage better recycling and waste sorting habits.

“The levy provides an incentive to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and is critical to ensuring resource recovery activities remain viable. It also provides a financial incentive for industry to seek alternatives for the disposal of waste and to facilitate investment into future technologies, processes and resource recovery systems in South Australia.”

Will waste collection fees reduce?

No. This change is not a reduction in service level.

While the red lid bin collection will reduce to fortnightly collection, the green lid organic bin service will increase to fortnightly collection to support diverting organic waste from your red lid bin to the green lid bin.

The changes may inconvenience some larger households, but reality is if we don’t reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill, the costs of delivering the current service will continue to soar for everyone.

The cost of providing the current service has increased on the back of landfill levy hikes but Council’s Mobile Garbage Bin service charge has not reflected the severity of these increases.

In 2019/20, the service charge for each serviced residential (three bin) property was $310 and $275 for each serviced commercial (two bin) property.

In 2024/25, the service charge is $317 for each serviced residential (three bin) property and $281 for each serviced commercial (two bin) property, equating to a little more than $1 per year increase across that time frame.

Council has also introduced free use of waste transfer stations for residents in the recent financial year.

I have a large household; can I get an extra red lid bin?

Residents with exceptional circumstances can access an additional 140L bin by contacting council to secure an annual permit with council at an additional cost.

This cost is $45 to purchase the bin from Council and $32 February 2025 to June 2025 to have the bin emptied by Clare Valley Waste Services.

My waste collection is now fortnightly, how can I manage?

Sorting of waste is crucial to ensure you maximise the space within your bin, ensuring the correct rubbish is going to your general waste, recycling and organics bin.

Head to the Which Bin website here: https://www.whichbin.sa.gov.au/ to get a better understanding of how you can divert your waste to get the maximum space from your bins.

I have a commercial property, what are my options?

For those commercial properties looking to access skips, larger amounts of waste can be serviced by Clare Valley Waste through their 3 and 4.5 cubic meter skip bins.

You must contact Clare Valley Waste on 0438 884 340 to arrange any additional bin collections - Commercial properties can purchase larger 240L bins from Council at a cost of $50.

Will this change increase illegal dumping?

There is no guarantee for a reduction in illegal dumping, council hopes to mitigate this by offering free service of Council’s transfer stations and extended opening hours.

With no fees on transfer station there is little reason for residents to dump on roadsides or verges.

We may continue to see roadside dumping, but the majority of this is from residents outside of our Council region.

My waste bin will smell and attract insects and vermin if only picked up fortnightly.

In accordance with section 4(3) Control of Refuse, Public and Environmental Health Regulations 1996: ‘Any putrescible waste that is placed in a receptacle must be contained in wrapping or sealed in a disposable container so as to prevent or minimize the discharge of fluids and the emission of offensive odours’.

If bins are kept reasonably clean, food scraps wrapped or bagged and bin lids closed, odors and insects should not be a problem.

Tips to reduce odour include:

• All waste placed in your general waste bin must be wrapped or bagged, including disposable nappies.
• All recycles placed in your recyclable bin must be rinsed and loose prior to placing in the bin.
• Use a kitchen caddy bin with a compostable bag (or wrap in newspaper) organic waste; this includes meat, fruit, vegetable scraps, hair, floor sweepings, tissues and place in organic bin.
• Alternatively, freeze ‘smelly’ food waste (eg fish waste) until the day of bin collection.
• Keep the bin lids closed at all times to keep odors in.
• Store bins away from direct sunlight or from the heat of the day.

Make sure you don’t overfill your bin as it will prevent the lid from closing. Bin lids and other spare parts are available from Council’s Balaklava Office.

I don’t have a recycling or green waste bin what do I do?

Contact Council on 8862 0800 to purchase a wheelie bin, alternatively businesses such as Paramount Browns also sell wheelie bins, but you must get the correct size and lid colour.