Waste & recycling
When your bins go out, and how Shoalhaven handles recycling and bulky waste. Shoalhaven runs a two-bin kerbside service (collected by Veolia): a red-lid general-waste bin collected weekly, and a yellow-lid recycling bin collected fortnightly (weekly over the December–January holidays). Unlike many councils, Shoalhaven does not currently provide a green-lid food-and-garden-organics (FOGO) bin — the NSW Government has mandated FOGO for all households by July 2030, and the council is working through collection and processing options. To find your collection day, enter your address on the council's bin-day page.
New to these terms? Read them in plain English
- FOGO
- The green bin that takes food scraps as well as garden waste.
- Bulky / hard waste collection
- Pickup or drop-off for large items that don't fit in your bins.
- Community Recycling Centre (CRC)
- A free drop-off for 'problem' waste like paint, batteries and oils.
- General waste (red lid)
- WeeklyChoose 80L, 120L or 240L; a differential charge applies by bin size to encourage waste reduction. Collected by Veolia.
- Recycling (yellow lid)
- FortnightlyIncreases to weekly for ~6 weeks over the December–January holidays. Included in the waste charge.
- Food & garden organics (green lid)
- Not currently providedNo kerbside FOGO/green bin yet. NSW mandates FOGO for all households by July 2030; the council is researching options. For now, garden waste can go in the red bin, to a depot using annual vouchers, or via the green & bulky collection.
- Bulky / hard waste
- Paid on-call green & bulky collection (~$121 per m³)Book first; eligible ratepayers also receive annual household/garden waste disposal vouchers usable for this service or at depots. Book on (02) 4429 5681.
- Problem waste & drop-off
- 10 waste & recycling depots across the LGADepots take household waste, recycling and garden waste; hazardous and household problem waste (chemicals, etc.) must be disposed of via the council's chemicals & hazardous waste guidance.
- Find your bin day
- Enter your address on the council's bin-day pageShows your next red and yellow collection dates. See the link below.
Shoalhaven is one of the NSW councils still on a two-bin (no FOGO) service; this is expected to change before the July 2030 state mandate. Bin frequencies and fees can change — confirm your collection day and current fees on the official Shoalhaven sources below.
Sources — check it yourself
Figures are current as at the dates shown and may change — always confirm with the linked source. See the notice at the bottom of the page for full details and how to report a correction.