Hard Waste Collection Trial

Hard Waste Collection Trial - Birchip and Watchem

During September 2026, Council is trialing a Hard Waste Collection service making it easier for residents to dispose of bulky household items safely and conveniently in the townships of Birchip and Watchem.

The trial service is designed to allow township-based residents to place accepted items at kerbside, which will be collected, sorted and appropriately recycled or disposed of by Council and will be particularly helpful for residents who find travelling to one of Council’s five transfer stations a challenge.

Council already services residents with five Waste sites which are open for much of the week, and this trial will assess the viability of a service to help residents dispose of bulkier items, when transport to the tip isn’t possible. 

Only residents who live on streets within the township are eligible for this initial trial.

Where is this happening?

The trial will happen in the townships of Birchip and Watchem. Only residents who live on streets within the township are eligible for this initial trial.

When is this happening?

The Hard Waste Trial at Birchip and Watchem will commence on Wednesday 9 September 2026.

Items will be collected between 8am on Wednesday 9 September and 5pm on Wednesday 16 September 2026.

Residents will be able to place items at kerbside for collection from 8am on Friday 4 September.

What items will be accepted?

During the trial, the following items will be accepted:

• E‑waste (electrical and electronic items and white goods)
• Mattresses (one per household)
• Furniture
• Scrap metal 
  

How to prepare your hard rubbish (sorting):

To improve recycling and keep the collection safe and efficient, please separate items into FOUR distinct piles on the kerbside:

E-waste: TVs, computers, monitors, printers, small electrical appliances, cables (remove loose batteries – see “Not accepted”).

Furniture (general hard waste): Couches, chairs, tables, timber items, rugs (not construction timber).

Mattresses: One per household. Keep separate from other items.

Scrap metal & white goods: Fridges & freezers (remove doors before placing out), washing machines, microwaves, metal bed frames, bikes, BBQs (ensure items are empty).

Kerbside set-out rules (important)

• Place items on the nature strip/kerbside in front of your property – not on the road, not behind fences, and not on private property.
• Keep piles neat and stable. Make sure the footpath (where present) is clear, and pedestrians can safely pass.
• Leave at least 1 Metre between piles so the crew can safely identify and load each waste stream.
• Keep items at least 1 Metre away from power poles, street signs, trees, parked cars, water meters and other obstacles.
• Do not place items where they block driveway access, bins, mailboxes, or intersections/vehicle sight lines.
• Remember the limit: the maximum total volume per household is 3 cubic Metres.
• If it’s windy, secure light items (e.g., tie/bundle where safe) to prevent litter and hazards.
Items NOT accepted (do not place out)
The following items will not be collected. If placed out, they may be left behind and you may need to arrange disposal at your cost:
• Hazardous waste: chemicals, fuels, oils, paint, solvents, pesticides and any liquids.
• Batteries (including lithium), loose fluorescent tubes/globes, and smoke detectors.
• Gas cylinders, fire extinguishers, ammunition or flares.
• Asbestos or suspected asbestos-containing material, sharps/needles, medical waste, medicines.
• Green waste (branches, grass clippings, stumps) and soil/sand/rocks/concrete/bricks/tiles.
• Car parts and tyres.
• Building and renovation waste: plasterboard, insulation, glass sheets, doors/windows, roofing, fencing, long lengths of timber.

Is there a limit on how much I can leave for collection?

• Each household can place up to 3 cubic metres of waste (approx 3m long x 1m wide x 1m high)
• A limit of one mattress per household also applies.

Who can use this service?

This service is available to:

• Occupied residential properties within the Birchip and Watchem town boundaries.
• Residents who can place items on the kerbside outside their property (not on private land).

This service is not available to: 

• Commercial/industrial properties or businesses (please use a private waste contractor).
• Vacant blocks, rural properties outside township boundaries, or materials from building works/renovations.

Why we’re doing this?

This trial aims to:

• Help residents who may have difficulty transporting large items to transfer stations
• Improve recycling and reduce landfill
• Test the feasibility of a permanent hard waste service across Buloke Shire 

Safety and accessibility
For everyone’s safety:
• Remember to keep children and pets away from hard rubbish piles and collection vehicles.
• Do not dismantle appliances or items that could expose sharp edges or hazardous components.
• If you need help moving heavy items to the kerb, please arrange assistance in advance (family, neighbour, support service).
• Collection vehicles operate with a traffic management plan in place. Please follow any signage and crew instructions during collection days.

After your street is serviced
Once your street has been serviced, please remove any leftover items from the kerbside as soon as possible. Items that are not accepted will be left behind.

Have your say!
Because this is a pilot program, your feedback matters. After the collection, please let Council know your thoughts.

Need more information?

Contact Buloke Shire Council:

Phone: 1300 520 520
Email: buloke@buloke.vic.gov.au
Web: www.buloke.vic.gov.au