Other Waste

Hard Waste

Residents are entitled to one hard waste collection per financial year (1 July - 30 June).

Bookings are required and are subject to availability and waiting periods may apply.  Bookings made on-line will receive an email advising of the next available collection in their suburb, and a ‘courtesy’ reminder email on the Friday prior to the collection week. 

Any rubbish that is put out without a booking is considered as illegally dumped rubbish that can attract a fine of $315.

To make a booking:

The maximum amount that can be collected is 2 cubic metres. (2m length x 1m wide x 1m height). This amount equates (approx.) to a small 6ft x 4ft trailer load.

Approved hard waste collection
 

Keep your hard waste safe and tidy

It is your responsibility to ensure that the hard waste outside your property is placed and maintained safely until collected - even if it is moved by other people. Council will NOT be responsible for removal of any items that have been ‘added’ to your pile by persons unknown.

  • Put your waste out the Sunday evening before it is due for collection - no sooner. Our Collection Contractor will not come onto private property to remove rubbish. Fines may be issued for waste placed on the footpath earlier than this date.
  • Leave plenty of room on the footpath for people to walk past
  • Don't leave anything sharp or hazardous on the footpath
  • Remove all doors from fridges and freezers
  • Don't stack your waste too high
  • Lie taller items down (eg wardrobes).
 
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  • Acceptable Items
     Mattresses including foam mattresses Maximum of two, including the base.
     
     Household furniture and goods Dismantled where possible, eg lounge, chairs, beanbags, crockery, gym equipment, pram, toys, baby seat.
     
     Lawnmower Fuel tank must be empty.
     
     Hot water service
     
     White goods Maximum of two, doors removed or taped closed eg fridge, washing machine, stove.
                   
     Electrical goods eg TV, fans, DVD player, toaster, vacuum cleaner, power tools.
     
     Galvanised Iron sheets or roof guttering Maximum of 15 sheets and no longer than 1.5m.
     
     Timber Maximum length 1.5m and bundled, eg floor boards, pergola, fence posts.
     
     Floor coverings Maximum of two rooms, must be rolled and tied into 1.5m length x 30cm diameter, eg carpet, underlay, rugs.
     
     Steel and metals  Ferrous and non-ferrous.  Bundled, dismantled and maximum length 1.5m. Modular rainwater tank no more than three modules. eg free standing swing, small modular rainwater tank, small round rainwater tank, cycle bike, chicken wire.
     
     Mirrors, glass, windows Securely wrapped in cardboard and marked ‘GLASS’.
     
    Note:  E-waste and mattresses are collected separately and may be left for a short time after initial collection by the compactor has taken place.
     
  • Non Acceptable Items

     Hazardous products, toxic substances, explosives, flammables, ammunition.
    eg paint, pesticides, garden fertilisers, cleaning agents, suspected Asbestos items, explosives, ammunition, fuel, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, fibreglass.
     
     Building material from erection, demolition or renovation of a property or shop, eg bricks, concrete, gyprock/plasterboard, cement mix, dirt, rubble, wooden pallets, tiles, toilet bowl and cisterns,
     
     Large rainwater tanks
     
     Car bodies, panels, engines, parts
     
     Tyres
     
     Batteries eg car, scooter, power packs, small AA.
     
     Liquid waste including paint and oil.
     
     Garden waste, tree stumps
     
     Wooden pallets
     
     Domestic waste
     
     Vegetation and garden waste including fruit and vegetables.
     
     Unwrapped or broken glass
     
     Cardboard, bottles, cans eg kerbside recyclable items.
     
     Unsanitary or sharps items eg syringes and medical waste.

  • Alternative drop-off points for some non-collectable items

    Full-service rubbish removal
    1800-GOT-JUNK 
    Phone 1800 468 586

    Metals, gas bottles, clothing, e-waste
    Glen Osmond Recycling Centre
    389 Glen Osmond Rd, Glen Osmond. Phone 8379 9955

    Household furniture, vegetation, metals, timber, e-waste
    Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
    181 Morphett Road, North Plympton. Phone 8295 5790

    Household furniture, asbestos
    Metro Waste Thebarton
    19-25 Murray Street, Thebarton. Phone 8443 8827

    Metals, bottles, e-waste
    Daws Road Recycling Centre
    76 Daws Road, Edwardstown. Phone 8277 5588
     
    Household furniture, vegetation, metals, timber
    Integrated Waste Services (IWS)
    Wingfield Road, Wingfield. Phone 8243 2644
     
    Hazardous wastes. Eg liquid, paint, pesticides, fertilisers.
    Zero Waste Household Hazardous Waste Depot
    Magazine Rd, Dry Creek. Phone 8204 2051

     

E-Waste (Electrical) Recycling

Did you know Australia discards almost 20kg per person per year of electrical and electronic goods and recycles only 5%?

Electrical waste (e-waste) is any item with a battery or an electrical cord.

If you have an electronic product that is still usable, consider donating it to a community group, charity, friend or family member in preference to recycling it.

Electrical appliances are dismantled and the different components are sorted. Many of the materials, including glass, copper, plastics, metals and precious metals, are recovered for further processing and eventual use in the manufacture of new products.

E-Waste

 

 
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  • Unplug n' Drop
    To help improve our recycling of electrical items, the City of Unley has joined with Electronic Recycling Australia in providing 3 convenient locations for residents to drop off unwanted electrical items. These FREE Unplug n’ Drop cages accept small electronic and electrical goods that plugs into a power point, uses a charger or is powered by a battery.

    Please ONLY place your unwanted electronic and electrical goods INSIDE the Unplug n’ Drop cage. Only small appliances are accepted. NO fridges or washing machines.

    Electronic Recycling Australia can deliver not just better environmental outcomes, but better community and social outcomes too. Their successful electronic and electrical recycling operation is an initiative of Minda providing services to people living with a disability through sustainable employment and enriches their lives through greater community participation and contribution.
  • What Can I Unplug N’ Drop?

    Anything that is domestic, plugs into a power point, uses a charger or is powered by battery.

    • TVs – all types
    • Computers
    • Laptops
    • Printers
    • Toasters
    • Phones
    • Batteries – please tape over terminals
    • Printer and toner cartridges
    • MP3 players
    • Microwave ovens
    • Hairdryers
    • Food processors
    • Drills
    • Watches
    • Kids toys
    • Kitchen appliances
    • Cabling
    • Gaming devices
    • Monitors
    • Computer peripherals (mice, keyboards, modems, network devices)
    • Fax machines
    • Cameras (digital and video)
    • Scanners
    • Stereo equipment
    • DVD and video players – including CDs, VHS and cassette tapes.
  • Unplug n' Drop Cage Locations

    Unley Works Depot
    75 King William Road, Unley. Inside the Depot site, and is only available Mon-Fri 8am-4pm.
    ​
    Fullarton Park Community Centre
    411 Fullarton Road, Fullarton. Outside – access from Fullarton Road carpark, and is available 24/7.

    Clarence Park Community Centre
    72-74 East Avenue, Clarence Park. Outside – access from Canterbury Terrace carpark, and is available 24/7.

  • Larger Items
    Residents of Unley Council can also dispose of larger electrical items for free* at:

    Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
    181 Morphett Road, North Plympton. Phone 8295 5077.

    Including refrigerators, dryers and washing machines.

    *Proof of residence is required.

     

Household Hazardous Chemical Waste

Household chemicals can be dangerous if they are not stored or disposed of safely. Not only is it illegal, but if dumped, they can contaminate the ground and water.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection (FREE) Trial

The City of Unley in partnership with Toxfree is trialling a new FREE initiative available to residents of the City of Unley, for the collection and safe disposal of hazardous household chemicals from their home.

Bookings are strictly limited to a maximum of 15 x Collections each month and will be scheduled to occur on the 4th Thursday of each month.  Once filled, the next available collection date will be offered. Residents are entitled to one collection per financial year. (1 July - 30 June).

*This service is for households where quantities of household hazardous waste items exceed more than one or two items.

Household hazardous chemical waste on shelf

 

 
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  • How to Book a Hazardous Waste Collection
    Follow these steps to book a household hazardous waste collection:
     
    1. Review the list of items that will and will not be accepted.
    2. Complete a Chemical Manifest Form to record the items you are proposing to have collected. 
    3. Book online ensuring you attach your completed Manifest Form. You will need to indicate on the Booking Form that you have read, understood, and conform to the conditions and requirements for the safe and secure collection of household hazardous waste from your property.
    4. A heavy-duty storage container (clearly marked with ToxFree label) will be provided to you prior to the collection date – only items in the container will be collected.
    5. You will receive an email advising of the next available collection date, including a ‘courtesy’ reminder email sent to you prior to the collection day.

     

    Book Online
  • What CAN I dispose of through the Household Hazardous Waste Collection?
    • Pesticides (including insecticides, herbicides)
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Interior and exterior paint
    • Acids and alkalis
    • Pool chemicals
    • Solvents (including paint thinners, turpentine) and flammable liquids
    • Coolant
    • Sealants and adhesives
    • Aerosols (including oven cleaner)
    • Waste fuels and vehicle grease
    • LPG gas cylinders (that hold up to 9kg).
  • What CAN’T I dispose of through the Household Hazardous Waste Collection?
    • Fluorescent Tubes and other lamps
    • Smoke Detectors
    • Asbestos
    • Ammunition and Explosives
    • Medical Waste and Sharps
    • Radioactive Materials
    • Tyres
    • E-Waste (electrical appliances).

    Small quantities of engine oil, batteries, fluorescent tubes, globes, mobile phones, e-waste (electrical appliances, tv, toaster, vacuum cleaner etc) can be dropped off at the Unley Works Depot, 75 King William Road, Unley (Monday - Friday, 8am-4pm). Our Civic Centre and Community Centres also accept small batteries and mobile phones.

Other Tips For Disposal

City of Unley Residents
Residents of the City of Unley can drop off small quantities of engine oil, batteries, fluoros, globes and mobile phones at the Works Depot, 75 King William Road, Unley. (Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm). Our Civic Centre and Community Centres also accept small batteries and mobile phones.

Batteries (Car and Truck)
Independent Batteries Distributors, 937 Marion Rd, Mitchell Park. Phone 8296 6311. FREE

Clothing and Textiles
Glen Osmond Recycling Centre. Phone 8379 9955.
Local Charity Opportunity Shops such as St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army.

Flares
It is a legal requirement in South Australia that expired marine distress flares be handed in to a police station equipped to handle marine pyrotechnics. These flares are then collected by SafeWork SA and safely destroyed. Further details are available from the SafeWork SA website.

Light Globes, CFL (compact fluorescent lighting), Halogen and LED (light-emitting-diode)
Any Mitre 10, Banner Hardware or True Value store. FREE

Metals (including lead, aluminium, brass, copper, iron & ferrous)
Glen Osmond Recycling Centre, 389 Glen Osmond Rd, Glen Osmond. Phone 8379 9955

Mobile Phones
These can be recycled through MobileMuster.

Motor Oil and Tyres
Adelaide Waste and Recycle Centre, 181 Morphett Rd, North Plympton. Phone 8295 5077.

Nespresso Coffee Capsule
Take your used coffee capsules to the nearest Nespresso Boutique or participating collection points, visit nespresso.com.

Paint
Unwanted paint can be disposed of for FREE by taking it to Cleanaway, 20 George St, Wingfield Phone 8344 0900. Alternatively, allow paint to harden (dry out), then tap out contents into the waste bin and the container (tin) placed in the yellow-lid recycling bin.

Personal Care and Beauty Packaging
L’Oreal Australia have teamed up with TerraCycle to bring second life to used beauty products through a FREE Beauty Products Recycling Program. For more information on where the nearest drop off location is in your area, visit terracycle.

Pharmaceuticals
All chemists will take unused or unwanted pills and medications, and some will accept and replace sharps containers.

Printer Cartridges
Participating brands can be recycled via the 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark' recycling boxes in participating Australia Post, Officeworks, Harvey Norman, and Dick Smith Electronics stores.

Radioactive Materials
EPA Radiation Protection Branch, Phone 8204 2004

Scrap Hotline
Visit Scrap Hotline

X-ray
Residents can drop off their unwanted x-ray films for recycling in the specially labelled x-ray recycling bins located at:
Unley Community Centre
18 Arthur St, Unley FREE
 
Alternative drop-off points for some non-collectable items

Full-service rubbish removal
1800-GOT-JUNK
Phone 1800 468 586

Metals, gas bottles, clothing, e-waste
Glen Osmond Recycling Centre
389 Glen Osmond Rd, Glen Osmond. Phone 8379 9955

Household furniture, vegetation, metals, timber, e-waste
Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
181 Morphett Road, North Plympton. Phone 8295 5790

Household furniture, asbestos
Metro Waste Thebarton
19-25 Murray Street, Thebarton. Phone 8443 8827

Metals, bottles, e-waste
Daws Road Recycling Centre
76 Daws Road, Edwardstown. Phone 8277 5588

Household furniture, vegetation, metals, timber
Integrated Waste Services (IWS)
Wingfield Road, Wingfield. Phone 8243 2644

Hazardous wastes. Eg liquid, paint, pesticides, fertilisers
Zero Waste Household Hazardous Waste Depot
Magazine Rd, Dry Creek. Phone 8204 2051

Food Waste Recycling

Results from a recent audit show Unley residents have increased the amount of organic material being composted through the green bin system.

We still have room for improvement though, currently over 37% of food waste in our blue bins could be going into our organics bins instead of going to landfill.

Food waste that can go in our green bins include vegetables, fruit, tea, bread, cereals, eggshells, grains, meat and dairy products.

Food Waste Recycling

 

 
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  • Composting
    Approximately 35% of the rubbish that each Unley household throws away in their wheelie bins is organic material that can be easily made into compost.
     
    A Guide to Composting
    How compost works in your garden
  • Kitchen Caddy
    kitchen caddy

    Prevent your leftovers and food scraps becoming waste by using the kitchen caddy system.

    The kitchen caddy takes all kinds of food scraps, including bread, meat scraps and bones, egg and oyster shells, cheese, seafood and even tissues, paper towel and hair. The container is sealed to minimise smells or liquids and can sit on your bench top or under the sink. Once the kitchen caddy is full, both the compostable bag and contents can be placed directly into your green organics bin.

    Kitchen caddies with 52 compostable liners can be purchased for $11 from the Unley Civic Centre, 181 Unley Road, during office hours. Additional rolls of compostable liners are also available:
    • Roll of 52 - $4.50 
    • Roll of 75 - $6.50  
    • Roll of 100 - $8.50.
  • Foodwise
    Have leftover food in the fridge? Try the Recipe Finder.

    This FoodWise Recipe Finder is your guide to making the most of common kitchen foods.  FoodWise helps you get the most out of every meal and ingredient in your kitchen. So, get online and check out this great tool.  It will save you time and money and reduce your household waste.

Illegal Dumping

What Is Illegal Dumping?

Illegal dumping is a result of people unlawfully dumping unwanted items such as mattresses, household furniture, electrical goods, building material and tyres in front of houses, alongside roads, on reserves and in creeks without the approval of Council.

It poses a risk to the health and safety of the community as well harming the environment by contaminating land and waterways.

Risks involved with illegal dumping include sharp objects, asbestos, toxic substances, nappies and medical waste. Illegal dump sites can be fire hazards, block storm water drains, can cause accidents due to obstruction for pedestrians, bikes and vehicles as well as being a breeding grounds for vermin.

Illegal dumping can lower property values and also attract other illegal activities.

Many of these illegally dumped items can be collected through Council’s hard waste collection service.

Illegally dumped waste
While some items such as tyres and hazardous waste are not accepted in the hard waste collection service, the City of Unley does provide options to dispose of these in the best way. Residents can recycle e-waste at one of our FREE Unplug n’Drop locations, while hazardous waste can be collected as part of our Household Hazardous Waste Collection (FREE) Trial. Larger items may be able to be disposed of through a Hard Waste Collection and we have a list of disposal and recycling options for trickier items such as tyres and motor oil.

Any rubbish that is put out without a Hard Waste booking is considered as illegally dumped rubbish and can attract a substantial fine.

 

Report Illegal Dumping

Anyone who suspects or witnesses illegal dumping is encouraged to report it immediately to the City of Unley.

 

Abandoned Trolleys

Supermarket retailers continue to work closely with Councils and the community to manage their trolleys, but they need their customers’ help to return their trolleys after use, and report abandoned trolleys, so that they can collect them within 24 hours.

To report an abandoned trolley, please contact the relevant retailer below.

Coles or 1st Choice Liquor:

Download the Coles App from the App Store or Google Play and use the ‘Report an abandoned trolley’ function.
Phone: 1800 TROLLEY (1800 876 553)
Visit Coles

Woolworths or Big W

Download the Trolley Tracker App from the App Store or Google Play to report abandoned trolleys.
Trolley Tracker Hotline: 1800 641 497
Visit Trolley Tracker

Target

You can report an abandoned trolley at any time by calling 1800 163 900.
Reported trolleys will be collected within 24 hours.

Public Litter

The City of Unley provides litter bins in our parks, reserves and on some streets for the general public to dispose of litter. These bins are not to be used for disposing of residential, business or event generated waste.

Our waste contractor is scheduled to empty and maintain all Council owned litter bins. This collection schedule may vary at different locations due to seasonal and is based on the amount of litter generated.


To report an issue with a bin, please contact:

SOLO Waste Hotline

Phone: 8159 5059
Email: adelaideops@solo.com.au
and provide the following information:

  • Exact details of location
  • Nearest cross street
  • Section of park.

Dog Waste Dispensers
Compostable, biodegradable dog waste bags are available through dispensers in our parks and reserves to dog owners to encourage owners to pick up their dogs waste.