Goulburn Mulwaree Council is trailing up to 20 'Return and Earn' wire baskets in busy areas across Goulburn, Marulan and Tarago.
Starting March 2026, the six-month trial aims to reduce litter, keep waste out of landfill and encourage more recycling across the community.
The baskets will be installed on selected public place bins, making it easier for people to dispose of their eligible bottles, cans and cartons responsibly. Members of the community are then free to collect them for a 10c refund through Return and Earn.
These baskets are a simple reminder to recycle when out and about - helping keep our streets and parks clean.
In 2025, the Goulburn Mulwaree LGA returned an impressive 10,680,163 eligible containers. The installation of these baskets will help divert more recyclables from landfill, reduce litter, and support people collecting refunds for themselves, community groups or charities.
All containers redeemed through Return and Earn are recycled in Australia and turned into new containers and food-grade packaging, supporting a circular economy. Council will monitor the impact on local litter rates to determine the feasibility of a permanent, wider rollout.
For more information, contact Council's Waste Information Line on (02) 4823 4417.
Editorial Release: Return and Earn Bin Basket Trial(PDF, 310KB)
Goulburn Bin Basket Locations
Installation in progress
- Auburn Street x9
- Belmore Park x4
- Visitor Information Centre x1
- Victoria Park x2
- Marsden Weir x1
Marulan Bin Basket Locations
Tarago Bin Basket Locations
Installation in progress
- Public amenities area
- Tarago village
Councillors have approved a trial bulky-waste kerbside collection for the 2026–27 financial year. This trial will cover households in the current 3-bin areas of
Goulburn and Marulan.
Council is working through the finer details, and residents will receive clear information in the new financial year — with plenty of notice so you can get ready.
In the meantime, the May Free Weekend is still on!
So save the date!!!! 
2–3 May 2026
Goulburn Mulwaree residents can drop off the following items free of charge at a Council Waste Centre:
- Up to 2 mattresses or bases
Domestic waste only. Standard fees apply for anything not listed.
The Household Chemical Cleanout is the safe way to dispose of potentially hazardous household chemicals that are not otherwise accepted at Council’s Waste Management Centres. The 2025 events were held in October, the 2026 dates are to be advised.
What can I dispose of at the Household Chemical Cleanout?
Residents can dispose of household quantities, for free, of the following household chemicals and items – up to a maximum of 20 litres or 20 kilograms of a single item:
- Solvents and household cleaners
- Floor care products
- Ammonia-based cleaners
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Poisons
- Pool chemicals
- Hobby chemicals
- Motor fuels
- Fluorescent globes and tubes
- Acids and alkalis
- Smoke detectors
- Paint and paint-related products
- Gas bottles
- Fire extinguishers
- Car and household batteries
- Motor oils and cooking oils
This event is for household problem wastes only. Business-related and commercial quantities of chemicals are not accepted.
The Household Chemical Cleanout is supported by the NSW EPA and the Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CRJO).
Goulburn Mulwaree Councils Community Recycling Centre accepts problem waste during normal operating hours. For the further information, call Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s Waste Info Line on (02) 4823 4417.
What can't I dispose of at the Household Chemical Cleanout?
This event is for household problem wastes only. Business-related and commercial quantities of chemicals are not accepted.
The Household Chemical Cleanout is supported by the NSW EPA and the Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CRJO).
Goulburn Mulwaree Councils Community Recycling Centre accepts problem waste during normal operating hours. For the further information, call Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s Waste Info Line on (02) 4823 4417.
Help keep Goulburn Mulwaree clean by reporting illegal dumping and using the right waste disposal options. The Council is actively working to reduce illegal dumping through increased surveillance, signage, community partnerships, and upgrades to the Waste Management Centre, including a new Resource Shop. Learn how to properly dispose of or recycle your waste, access free services, and find out how to get involved. For more information download the full Illegal Dumping Fact Sheet below.
Click here to access the illegal dumping fact sheet(PDF, 2MB)
Businesses in the Goulburn Mulwaree LGA now have access to tailored support to help them reduce food waste, plastics, and textile waste.
Food businesses in NSW throw away around 30% of their food. That’s a lot of money going into the bin. Now think about all the plastics and textile waste also going to landfill that is costing your business and the planet.
The Bin Trim program is being offered for free to all businesses in the region to help reduce waste and potentially save on disposal costs. This includes an assessment that looks at the types of waste generated by your business and where cost savings could be achieved.
If your business completes a Bin Trim assessment, you may qualify for a rebate to contribute to the cost of purchasing or leasing new equipment that reduces, reuses, or recycle your business waste.
Eligible businesses can apply for a rebate up to a maximum of $50,000 or 50% of the purchase price of equipment.
If you are looking to reduce your waste, reach out to Canberra Region Joint Organisation to find out more or get a FREE Bin Trim waste assessment by emailing
bintrim@crjo.nsw.gov.au. Click
here to find our more.
About the trial
Goulburn Mulwaree Council has launched a free trial recycling service - in partnership with ReSmart (formerly RecycleSmart) - for soft plastics and vapes at the Goulburn Community Recycling Centre, running until 30 June 2026.
This initiative provides residents with a safe and sustainable way to dispose of these materials at no cost. If the trial is successful, Council hopes to make the service permanent.
These expanded recycling options aim to reduce landfill, promote sustainability, and make responsible disposal easier for the community.
Soft plastics
What is accepted as soft plastic?
Soft plastics are any plastics that can be easily scrunched into a ball. This includes items like plastic bags, food wrappers, bread bags and chip packets.
Download ReSmart’s guide on soft plastics recycling here(PDF, 866KB)
What is not accepted as soft plastic?
Biodegradable or compostable plastics, straws, and rigid plastic containers such as ice cream tubs, yoghurt pots, takeaway containers, and shampoo bottles, as well as laminated materials.
Disposing of soft plastics
Before dropping them off, please make sure items are:
- Reasonably clean
- Dry
- Free from food residue
Goulburn Community Recycling Centre 100 Sinclair Street, Goulburn (8:00am - 4:00pm, 7 Days).
Vapes
Vapes must never be placed in household or workplace bins, as they pose a fire risk. Residents can now safely recycle vapes at the Waste Management Centre through this specialised program.
Goulburn Community Recycling Centre 100 Sinclair Street, Goulburn (8:00am - 4:00pm, 7 Days).
Need more information?
If you require further information, please call the Waste Info Line (02) 4823 4417 for assistance. We are here to support you on your recycling journey.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council is trialing textile recycling.
This initiative gives residents the chance to recycle unwanted textiles - including clothing, accessories and linen - that can't be resold, helping to reduce landfill waste and support a more sustainable community.
Following the appointment of a new Waste Education & Projects Officer, Council is taking an active approach to a revitalised waste education program to help residentsreduce contamination in both recycling and food organics and garden organics (FOGO) bins.
The program introduces a fresh, hands-on approach with a strong community presence, supporting residents to feel confident about what goes in each bin. Recent kerbside bin audits show there is still some uncertainty when y comes to choosing the right bin, and this renewed program is designed to make it clearer and more practical for households to get it right.
For more information, view the Editorial Release: Helping Residents Get It Right: Goulburn Mulwaree Council's Revitalised Waste Education Program Underway(PDF, 335KB)