What Is Green Waste and What Goes into a Green Waste Bin?
Green waste is organic, biodegradable material that typically comes from gardens, landscaping, and outdoor spaces. It's mostly plant waste and can be composted, mulched, or recycled into products such as soil - so it's a much more eco-friendly waste stream than regular rubbish. Green waste skips are ideal for whoever is doing a garden clean-up, back garden maintenance, pruning, or autumn clearance. The following is what you can typically place in a green waste skip:
- Grass clippings
- Leaves and branches
- Hedge and shrub trimmings
- Small logs and tree limbs (within size limits)
- Palm fronds
- Twigs and vines
- Garden plants and weeds(excluding soil)
Some people are surprised to learn that soil, dirt, mulch, or rocks are not permitted in a standard green waste bin. These materials are classified as heavy waste and need a specific type of skip bin, especially if you're dealing with excavation or demolition. Also, treated timber, stumps with dirt attached, or garden waste mixed with general household rubbish can render an entire green bin load contaminated.
At Bin Corp. our green waste bins are transported to processing plants that convert this organic waste into mulch and compost, minimizing landfill and recycling back nutrients to the earth. That is why we are sensitive to what goes in - it keeps the waste stream clean and marketable.
What Is General Waste and What Can You Put in It?
General waste is a more general category that encompasses a combination of household, office, and light building rubbish that cannot be composted or recycled through normal green waste systems. This bin is best used for most clean-ups, renovations, moving days, and decluttering jobs where the rubbish is mixed or non-organic. Here's what is normally permitted in a general waste skip:
- Old furniture (chairs, tables, couches)
- Whitegoods (fridges, ovens, microwaves - with doors removed)
- Toys, books, clothing
- Plastic and glass (non-recyclable)
- Cardboard and packaging
- Light building materials (drywall, timber offcuts, tiles)
- Carpet, lino, or flooring
Do remember, though, that household waste bins are not totally limitless and untrammelled. You cannot include hazardous wastes such as asbestos, paint, batteries, tyres, chemicals, gas bottles, or medical wastes in these bins. These must be dealt with by professionals and cannot be disposed of like common rubbish.
General rubbish typically ends up in sorting facilities where recyclables are extracted before the remainder is sent to landfill. Bin Corp is behind the initiative by educating customers on proper disposal and keeping bins in use as they should - which boosts environmental returns and cost savings to everyone.
Why Choosing the Right Bin Type Matters
Selecting the right skip bin isn't all about size - it's the waste type. Overlapping waste types can mean contamination charges, refused pickup, or even breach local waste disposal regulations. It's for this reason that it's important to assess your rubbish before booking a bin and choose accordingly. If green waste is mixed with normal rubbish, it is no longer able to be composted and can be diverted to landfill - wasting a perfectly recyclable resource. Similarly, tipping heavy items like bricks, tiles, or concrete into a general waste bin can be over weight and result in extra charges or safety problems during transit. On the other hand, if you place an order for a green waste container and also have treated wood or general trash to get rid of, the entire load becomes non-compliant. Not only does it undo the effectiveness of responsible garbage disposal, but it can even cost you more in penalty or re-sorting fees.
With Bin Corp, our clients don't need to deal with this because we cut them off at the pass by asking a few quick questions when booking. What kind of project are you working on? What are you sending to the landfill? How many of each type do you think you will have? Based on your answers, we'll prescribe the proper bin - or a couple of bins - to keep things simple, safe, and regulation-friendly.
Common Scenarios and Which Bin to Use
Let's go through some real-life scenarios so it becomes obvious which bin is right for which task:
Scenario 1: Cleaning the Garden
You are cleaning out a garden full of broken branches, overgrown bushes, lawn clippings, and weeds.
Bin to use: Green waste bin.
Important note: Ensure there are no plastic pots, bags, or dirt included.
Scenario 2: Moving House
You're getting rid of old furniture, damaged items, broken toys, rugs, and miscellaneous junk.
Bin to use: General waste bin.
Note: If you're also clearing the garden, consider a second green waste bin.
Scenario 3: Minor Renovation
You're removing tiles, timber offcuts, and broken plasterboard from a room refresh.
Bin to use: General waste or mixed heavy waste bin (depending on volume and material).
Note: Always separate hazardous items like paint or insulation.
Scenario 4: Landscaping Project
You've dug a garden bed, sliced turf and ground, and have spare bricks and concrete pavers.
Bin to use: A specific soil and rubble bin (not green or general).
Note: Ask us about heavy waste-specific bins with the right weight capacity.
By getting in early and providing your project information, we can tailor a bin solution that saves you dollars, reduces environmental footprint, and avoids last-minute stress.
Our Recommendation: Keep It Simple and Sorted
Here at Bin Corp, we've seen thousands of bin hires - and what is most striking is that good communication and good planning are everything. Whether you're a residential customer, a builder, or commercial manager, the right bin selection makes your job easier to manage from start to finish.
If your waste is predominantly garden and organic, a green waste bin is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly option. For mixed household or non-organic waste, a general waste bin is best. And if your project generates many different kinds of waste, the best option may be reserving two separate bins to keep waste streams clean, sorted, and compliant.
Our team is here to help you make the right choice. We will assist you through your project needs, determine bin size, advise on what can be removed, and deliver at a time that suits you. We also offer fast delivery across Melbourne, as well as same-day drops in most suburbs. By partnering with Bin Corp, you're not just hiring a skip - you're gaining a waste management partner that puts clarity, compliance, and sustainability first.
Choose Right, Dispose Smart
Choosing a green waste skip bin or a general waste skip bin isn't solely about type of rubbish - it's choosing wisely and being informed to achieve your financial gain, project goals, and environmental good. Some careful planning and consultation with the right provider and you can make the hassle of inappropriate disposal obsolete and get your clean-up in and out efficiently. Whether you're landscaping your garden, garaging out, or doing a full-site development, Bin Corp has the skip bin you need. We make it easy to find the right solution, deliver on time, and dispose of waste responsibly.
Contact us today or book your skip bin online to get started - and let's make rubbish removal easier, cleaner, and smarter together.