Information for apartments

The volume of weekly waste and recycling capacity for each unit is the same as single dwellings, however, units share bins due to space constraints and recycling is collected weekly.

Bins are generally allocated at the ratio of:

• 1 x 240L waste bin per 2 units
• 1 x 240L recycling bin per 2 units
• 1 x 240L garden organics bin per 10 units, additional bins provided depending on requirements.

Larger apartment buildings may also be provided 660L or 1100L waste and recycling bins that are collected on a weekly basis. 

Your apartment building may have a blue lid bin, which is just for paper and cardboard.

Check out our What goes in my bin page for more information.

Items that are too large to place into general rubbish bin (e.g. old furniture, mattresses, white goods, etc) can be included in Councils bulk household collection service. Residents should liaise with their building manager to store items in the building’s bulky waste room. Apartment buildings are entitled to two bulk household collections per year on prescheduled dates. Check out our ‘Bulk Household’ page for more information.

Building managers have an important role in ensuring that the collection of waste and recycling from your building is conducted efficiently, responsibly and hygienically. Responsibilities of building management include:

• Keeping bin bays and bin rooms clean, accessible and well-lit
• Managing and removing illegal dumping found on private land
• Monitoring the number of bins required and negotiate any changes to bins or collections with the collection service provider.

A number of resources are available to residents, members of the body corporate, strata managers, site managers and real estate agents to assist with reducing the levels of contamination in shared recycling and garden organic. The following educational material can be provided for free, on request:

• Waste service guides
• Contents stickers for the general waste, recycling, and garden organics bin
• Recycling bin bay signs

For more information about contamination management or requesting the above resources, please contact the Waste Hotline on 1300 551 659.

Council has created a forum that offers a space for building managers and strata committee members to:

• Network, and share advice and support on all matters relating to the safe handling of waste and recycling in multi-unit dwellings
• Stay informed and be notified of Council events, projects and workshops designed to mitigate the key challenges of waste management
• Access information on waste services and the rights and responsibilities of strata, building managers and Council
• Obtain educational resources which promote correct recycling behaviour and practices among residents.

Sign up to the network on the Building Managers and Strata Committee Network page on Collaborate.

As an ongoing effort to improve waste behaviour, the Apartment Recycling Program is offered to all multi-unit dwellings in City of Canada Bay. The education program will be tailored to suit the needs and concerns of individual apartment complexes. To get involved or find more information, please visit our Apartment Recycling Program Collaborate page. 

We have launched the Compost Capers program to help you get started composting at home. With educational videos, fact sheets and even giveaways for apartment buildings. Compost Capers will help you turn your food and garden scraps into a valuable resource that will improve soil and feed your plants. Check out the Compost Capers webpage for more information.