Frequently Asked Questions

What day are my bins collected?

The City of Ryde is divided into ten waste collection zones. Find out your zone and collection day as well as other important information. Alternatively you can call Customer Service on 9952 8222 Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

I am moving to another house in the City of Ryde. Should I take my bins with me?

Wheelie bins provided to residential properties are owned by our waste contractor and should remain at the property to which they were originally allocated. Please do not take them to other properties.

I am missing my garbage/recycling/green waste bin – how can I get another one?

If you find that you are missing a bin, please report it online or download the Missing Residential Waste Bin PDF form(PDF, 160KB).

My garbage/recycling/green waste bin is damaged, how can I have it repaired or replaced?

To report your bin as damaged you can either contact Customer Service on 9952 8222 or report it online. You will need to advise the type of damage to the bin eg: lid missing, wheel broken. We ask that you please leave your damaged bin on the nature strip from the same day so that our contractor may access it to determine whether it will require repair or replacement.

What items can I place in my domestic bins?

Further information about what is acceptable to place in the domestic wheelie bins allocated to your property can be found on the Weekly Garbage Collection page. If you wish to clarify something which is not mentioned here – please contact Customer Service on 9952 8222.

My bin has not been emptied, why?

If your bin is the only bin in the street which has not been emptied, it could be due to one of the following reasons.

  • Obstructed – Was there a vehicle parked in front of your bin, or was it behind a telegraph pole or other obstruction?
  • Presentation – the bin was facing the wrong way or out of reach of the side arm on the truck.
  • Overfull or too heavy – the maximum weight limit for residential bins is 70kgs. The lid of your bin must be able to close fully.
  • Contaminated – may contain items which are unacceptable for that particular bin.

Please check the lid of your bin for a sticker which will specify the reason why it was not collected, once this has been rectified; contact Customer Service on 9952 8222 to request that the bin be serviced, alternatively, you can also submit your request online.

My bin is not entirely emptied, why?

Sometimes due to the volume of waste in your bin, items may become compacted making it difficult for them to fall out when the bin is lifted over the back of the truck. You can request that the truck return the following business day to take the remaining items once you have loosened the contents of the bin with a broom handle. Please call Customer Service to make a booking on 9952 8222, you can also submit your request online.

Why has only one side of my street been collected?

Depending on the drivers run, they may not do both sides of the street consecutively. The driver may also need to go to the empty the truck before continuing with collection. If your bin has not been serviced by 3pm, please contact Customer Service on 9952 8222 to report a missed service, you can also submit your request online.

Why has my entire street been missed?

At times an entire street may be missed due to driver error; however other common reasons may be road works or contractors working on services such as water, gas, electricity and telephone lines. Drivers also often experience difficulty accessing streets or cul-de-sacs where there is illegal parking or where a turning circle is blocked by parked cars. If your bin has not been serviced by 3pm, please contact Customer Service on 9952 8222 to report a missed service you can also submit your request online.

How does the Pre-Booked Household CleanUp Collection service work?

The Pre-Booked Household CleanUp Collection service allows for the disposal of bulky items which can’t be placed in the regular household garbage, recycling and garden organic bins e.g. old furniture and appliances. Residents are entitled to up to 5 CleanUp collections per calendar year. Residents are required to book their Household CleanUp online or over the phone. Residents are to place their items on the nature strip no earlier than 1 day before their booked CleanUp date. 
Please note: Residents living in unit and apartment (multi-unit) complexes that share a bin service will need to contact their Managing Body (e.g. Strata Manager, Body Corporate or equivalent), who will organise and book Household CleanUp collections on behalf of the multi-unit complexes they manage. This is to lessen the frequency of waste placed out the front of multi-unit complexes throughout Ryde, resulting in cleaner streets. 

For more information about what can be placed out for CleanUp, restrictions and presentation requirements, visit the Pre-Booked Household CleanUp Collection page.

I have items that I want to get rid of that cannot fit in my garbage bin, what can I do?

Book an Pre-Booked Household CleanUp or check with your Managing Body for your complex's next CleanUp date.  

What items can go in my garden waste, recycling or general waste bins and are there alternative ways to dispose of my unwanted items?

Visit our A to Z Waste and Recycling Guide for more information for garden waste, recycling or general waste bins. We also have a Yellow Recycling Bin Guide(PDF, 315KB)  which lists all the items you can place in your yellow-lidded recycling bin or watch a video and learn more about the recycling processes for City of Ryde. 

The items I placed out for my Household CleanUp collection have not been taken, why?

It is important that when taking advantage of the Pre-Booked Household CleanUp Collection that items are presented in accordance with the requirements listed in the Pre-Booked Household CleanUp Collection page.

Common reasons for items being left behind are:

  • Non-compliance with Household CleanUp requirements 
  • Inadequate bundling and tying of garden waste 
  • Items placed out earlier or later than the confirmed booking date 
  •  Exceeds quantity limitations (1.5 cubic metres per household)

If you find that you have items left behind, consider whether they were compliant. Items left behind which are found to be non-compliant will have an A4 fluoro pink sticker placed on them advising of the non-compliance. 

I live in a unit or apartment complex, how can I book a Household CleanUp?

Residents of multi-unit complexes that share a bin service are required to contact their Managing Body (e.g. Strata Manager or Body Corporate), who will organise a CleanUp collection on behalf of the complexes they manage. The Managing Body will then advise residents of the complex the date of the booked CleanUp, as well as a list of accepted and not accepted items. 

If you live in a multi-unit complex that is not managed please contact Council to organise an alternative method for booking your complex’s Household CleanUp. 

For a step by step guide on how to book your Household CleanUp collection, visit the Pre-Booked Household CleanUp Collection page.

My 140 litre red lid bin is not big enough for my requirements; can I get a bigger/extra bin?

Yes, Council can upgrade the existing 140 litre general waste bin to the larger 240 litre size, or provide you with an additional 140 litre or 240 litre red lid bin for an additional charge. Before choosing this option however, consider the types of waste that you are placing into your red lid bin, is it mostly recyclable? The cost to have an additional yellow lidded bin is significantly less than taking on an additional red lid bin, around one sixth of the price. As there is an additional charge added to the rates for upgrading the size of your bin or requesting additional bins, this form is to be signed by the owner of the property as shown on the rates. To request additional bins, complete the New/Additional/Changes to Residential Waste Service Form(PDF, 130KB).

The current domestic bin allocation is not enough for my requirements; can I have larger or additional bins?

Yes, to order additional bins or upgrade the size of your 140 litre general waste bin, please complete the New/Additional/Changes to Residential Waste Service Form(PDF, 130KB). As there is an additional charge added to the rates for upgrading the size of your bin or requesting additional bins, this form is to be signed by the owner of the property as shown on the rates.

How should I present my bins for collection?

You should:

  • space your bins at least 30cm apart
  • place your bins so that the wheels are facing the house
  • check that the bins are not obstructed by cars, trees or power poles
  • if you live in a cul-de-sac, don't park your car in the turning area on the collection day to ensure that the truck can turn safely
  • place your bins out the night before
  • don't overfill bins or leave extra rubbish next to the bins
  • remove your bins from the kerb as soon as possible after collection.

I have too much waste that it won’t fit into my bin, if I leave bags or boxes next to the bin – will they be taken?

No, all items for collection must fit into your bin and the lid must be able to close fully. Additional bins can be ordered at an additional charge please complete the New/Additional/Changes to Residential Waste Service Form(PDF, 130KB).

What time can waste trucks commence collecting rubbish in the City of Ryde?

Under the terms of our current waste contract, domestic waste collection is permitted to commence within Ryde from 5.00am. Commercial waste collection does not have any time restrictions placed on it and there are multiple contractors working in the City of Ryde area depending on which companies various businesses in the City of Ryde have engaged. 

I have a collection of plastic shopping bags what can I do with them?

The soft plastics recycling program through Redcycle is temporarily paused due to ongoing operational challenges. In the meantime, please place all soft plastic items, such as plastic bags, in your red lid garbage bin until further notice. Do not put these in your yellow lid recycling bin as they cannot be recycled through the kerb side collection. 

What happens to the contents of my green waste?

After your green waste bin has been collected, it is taken to the SITA processing facility where it is processed and turned into mulch sold through Australian Native Landscapes.

What happens to the contents of my yellow bin?

Our contractor takes the contents of your recycling bin to the Visy Recycling facility at Smithfield, where it goes through a process of sorting both by machine and by hand. Paper and Cardboard, Glass, plastics, metals are separated and transported for processing to be turned into high quality recycled products. Throughout the year, we run a series workshops where you can find out more. Visit the Waste Events page for more information.