Yarra Ranges residents are being encouraged to make the most of their annual hard waste and Bundled Branch collection, by disposing of old appliances, bulky items and branches.
Between January and March, every household will have a collection of hard waste, metals and whitegoods and bundled branches.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, encouraged community members to check their collection week and what can be put out for collection.
"Hard waste is the perfect opportunity to get rid of items that can be more difficult to dispose of," Cr Child said.
"You can get rid of appliances and e-waste, metals, bundled branches and bulky items, all in the spot where your wheelie bins are usually collected.
"Collections in the Yarra Valley will start in late-January, while the Dandenong Ranges will have collections closer to March. You should always check yarraranges.vic.gov.au/hardwaste for your collection week so you don't miss out."
Cr Child said that hard waste collections should be the last resort for getting rid of items.
"Though our contractor sorts through collected items for recyclables, like metals, items that are in good, working condition could be donated, given away or sold on a community noticeboard," he said.
"Your unwanted appliance might make someone's day if they got it for free, or could help support one of our many local charities or op-shops."
Bundled branches, mattresses, metals, whitegoods, electronic waste – e.g. computers, televisions, monitors, all other battery and power-operated items and items with an electrical cord will be collected and sent for recycling. All other items will be disposed of in landfill.
Hard waste collections are timed to make the most of the warm weather in the region, when it's safest for contractors to collect large, bulky items, and when it's safest for the heavy collection trucks to navigate local roads, including many unsealed roads.
Items should be put out for collection on the Sunday before their collection week, and not earlier, to reduce the visual and environmental impact of rubbish piles.
