Source: Government of Australia Capital Territory
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Released 20/12/2025
The ACT Government is reminding Canberrans to think sustainably this holiday season and look for opportunities to reduce waste, reuse and recycle where possible.
“More rubbish and recycling is generated during the festive period than at any other time of the year,” said Minister for City and Government Services, Tara Cheyne.
“We encourage everyone to minimise their waste throughout the holidays and consider how items can be reused or recycled. Sometimes there is confusion about what can be recycled in the household recycling bin and it is important Canberrans know what they can and can’t recycle.”
The following items can go in the yellow recycling bin:
- Christmas cards, envelopes and wrapping paper – even with small amounts of glitter and tape
- cardboard packaging and pizza boxes – scrape off any food waste and flatten to save room
- all empty bottles, jars and cans
- empty plastic containers – no need to rinse.
These items cannot go in the recycling bin:
- plastic bags – empty the recycling out loose into the bin
- soft plastics
- Christmas decorations (including tinsel, trees and lights)
- disposable coffee cups and cutlery
- plastic toys
- leftover food or rubbish
- cellophane or foil wrapping
- polystyrene
- electronic waste, Christmas lights or batteries
- nappies or sanitary items
- broken crockery.
If you’re in doubt about which bin to put waste in this festive season you can search the A to Z guide for recycling and waste for local recycling and disposal options: www.act.gov.au/recyclopaedia.
“If you have a full recycling bin over the holidays, you can drop off your excess recycling at the free recycling drop off centres located in Belconnen, Gungahlin, Mitchell, Phillip and Tuggeranong. These centres are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including Christmas Day. They accept steel and aluminium cans, paper, cardboard and plastic food containers,” said Minister Cheyne.
Eligible bottles and cans can be returned for recycling through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) for a 10-cent refund. With the warmer weather, comes more empty drink containers and extended depot opening hours to give you more time to return them. All ACT CDS depots will be open from 8:30am – 6:00pm, every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Any waste that cannot be recycled or disposed of in household bins can be taken to the Mugga Lane resource management centre. The Mugga Lane and Mitchell resource management centres are open every day, except Christmas Day.
Bin collections scheduled for Christmas Day, Thursday 25 December 2025, will be rescheduled to Saturday 27 December 2025.
Impacted suburbs are Aranda, Bruce, Dunlop (south of Ginninderra Drive), Evatt, Florey, Giralang, Hawker, Higgins, Holt, Kaleen, Latham, Lawson, Lyneham (north of Ginninderra Drive), MacGregor, Macnamara, McKellar, Page, Scullin, Strathnairn and Weetangera.
All other collection days, including Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day will be collected as per normal.
“The summer holidays give Canberrans an opportunity to do a festive clean-out. Any unwanted items including clothing, toys and furniture in good condition can be donated to a charity store during business hours, including to Goodies Junction in Mitchell or Mugga Lane,” said Minister Cheyne.
“You can also book a bulky waste collection with all Canberra households eligible for one free service per financial year of up to 2 cubic metres. Canberrans living in an apartment or townhouse with shared waste can contact their body corporate or building manager to make a booking on their behalf.
“I urge the community to correctly dispose of hazardous waste such gas bottles, batteries and items with embedded batteries, as they can cause fires if placed in household bins. Residents can visit the A-Z guide to find out locations to safely dispose of hazardous waste.
“We can all do our part this holiday season to ensure we reduce waste, reuse and recycle where possible.”
– Statement ends –
Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases
