If you’ve ever spent a weekend in the garden, trimming hedges, mowing the lawn, or doing a big seasonal clean-up, you’ll know how quickly the piles of clippings, branches, and leaves can stack up. This is what we call green waste, which is organic material that comes straight from nature.
But not everything from your garden goes in the green waste bin, so let’s go over what green waste is, what belongs in your green bin, and the best ways to manage it.
Understanding Green Waste
You might think all rubbish is the same and needs to be tossed out—but that’s not the case! Green waste comes from plants and naturally breaks down over time. When disposed of properly, it returns to the earth as mulch or compost instead of ending up in landfill.
Here’s how green waste is different:
- Green waste includes grass clippings, leaves, small branches, hedge trimmings, and weeds. These can be transformed into compost or mulch to enhance your soil.
- General waste includes plastic, food scraps, treated timber, and regular household rubbish. These don’t break down the same way and shouldn’t be mixed with green waste.
What Can Go in a Green Waste Bin?
Most Tassie councils supply green waste bins for residents to dispose of garden waste properly. But not everything from your backyard should go in there! Understanding which items can be recycled will guarantee proper waste management through recycling rather than disposal in landfill sites.
✅ What You CAN Put in Your Green Bin:
- Grass clippings
- Leaves and flowers
- Small branches and twigs (under 10cm thick)
- Hedge and shrub cuttings
- Weeds (as long as they’re not invasive species)
❌ What DOESN’T Belong in Your Green Bin:
- Large tree stumps or thick branches
- Treated timber or painted wood
- Soil, dirt, and rocks
- Plastic bags, pots, or synthetic materials
- Food scraps (these belong in a compost bin instead)
If you’re ever unsure, check with your local council before throwing something in the bin. Putting the wrong waste in the bin can ruin an entire load, meaning it can’t be turned into compost or mulch. A little effort in sorting makes a huge difference!
Why Recycling Green Waste Matters
When appropriately recycled, green waste turns into mulch and compost that’s great for your garden and the environment.
- Improves soil: Plants grow better because compost and mulch introduce additional nutrients.
- Saves water: Mulch retains moisture, which reduces your need to water frequently.
- Less reliance on fertilisers: Using compost as plant food reduces your dependence on artificial fertilisers.
- Cuts down on landfill waste: Reduces harmful emissions because it avoids waste accumulation.
How to Sort & Dispose of Green Waste Properly
Want to handle your green waste without the hassle? You can keep your garden tidy and manage waste easily with a few simple habits. Here’s how:
1. Make the Most of Your Green Waste Bin
Watch what you put in your bin. Your bin should only contain loose, clean garden waste, without plastic or rubbish. If it fills up too quickly, cut big branches into smaller pieces or use a mulcher machine to break them down.
2. Start Composting at Home
If you’ve got room, composting is a brilliant way to recycle garden waste. Toss in veggie scraps, leaves, and small plant trimmings, and over time, you’ll get rich, healthy soil that your garden will love—all for free!
3. Turn Garden Waste into Mulch
Any leftover leaves, twigs, or bark shouldn’t be discarded because they can become valuable mulch for your garden. Don’t let them go to waste! Mulch prevents the growth of weeds, traps moisture in the soil, and breaks down into the soil to add nutrients with time.
4. Keep Green Waste Out of General Rubbish
We know throwing extra garden waste into your regular bin is tempting, but it’s best not to. Ask a neighbour if they have space in their green bin, otherwise, a green waste removal service is the best option if your green bin is full.
Easy Green Waste Removal with Lawn Squad
Sorting your green waste is essential, but sometimes one bin isn’t enough, especially after a big garden clean-up. Lawn Squad offers fast and hassle-free green waste disposal services, so don’t stress about fitting everything in your bin—let us handle it!
