Sustainability
2 min read
By Pedro Carreira
Updated 25 June 2026
The average contamination rate for commercial commingled recycling bins in Melbourne is 12-18%, compared to 6-10% for residential kerbside.
The main contaminants are food waste, soft plastics, and non-recyclable packaging. Reducing contamination lowers your costs through fewer contamination fees and lower disposal costs.
Bundle Waste provides free contamination signage and staff training guides.
Key Numbers
- Commercial commingled contamination (Melbourne): 12–18%
- Residential kerbside contamination: 6–10%
- Industry contamination target: under 5%
- Metro landfill levy (2025–26): $169.79/tonne
What You Need to Know
Contamination is the silent tax on commercial recycling. At 12–18% for Melbourne commingled bins — roughly double the 6–10% seen on residential kerbside — a single wrong item can down-grade an entire load to landfill, where it attracts the $169.79/tonne levy you were trying to avoid.
- Food waste — the most common contaminant; route it to a dedicated organics bin instead.
- Soft plastics (bags, wrap) — not accepted in commingled; keep them out entirely.
- Non-recyclable packaging — polystyrene and laminated cartons belong in general waste.
- Liquids and food residue — empty and rinse containers so paper and cardboard stay clean.
Driving contamination toward the under-5% target is the practical core of Recycling Victoria — A New Economy and its resource-recovery goals. Bundle Waste audits your bins free of charge, supplies contamination signage and staff-training guides, compares a network of providers, and is paid only from the savings we find.
Related Resources
Related Questions
What can and cannot go in a commingled recycling bin?+
Yes: clean paper, cardboard, glass bottles/jars, aluminium/steel cans, hard plastic containers (#1-#5, #7). No: soft plastics (bags, wrap, cling film), food waste, nappies, polystyrene, textiles, e-waste, batteries, ceramics, or medical waste. When in doubt, it goes in general waste — putting non-recyclables in recycling contaminates the entire load and can cost $50-200 in contamination fees. Print a simple yes/no poster for your bin area.
How much does recycling collection cost compared to general waste?+
Recycling collection is typically 20–40% cheaper than general waste in Melbourne. A 240L recycling bin costs $25–45/month vs $35–65 for general waste. The difference is driven by the $169.79/tonne Victorian landfill levy applied to general waste but not recyclables. Businesses recycling over 50% of their waste can save $100–300/month.
How much does pallet collection and recycling cost in Melbourne?+
Pallet collection in Melbourne typically costs $0–5 per CHEP pallet (returned through the CHEP system at no cost), while plain timber pallets cost $2–8 each for collection or earn $1–3 credit if in good condition. Businesses generating 20+ pallets/week should negotiate a scheduled collection at $50–120/pickup.
What are the cheapest waste disposal options in Melbourne?+
Cheapest options: source-separated recycling ($0–80/tonne vs $180–280 for general waste), clean fill ($30–60/tonne), green waste composting ($60–100/tonne). Cardboard can earn rebates of $20–50/tonne at high volumes. Most expensive: hazardous waste ($500–2,000+/tonne) and clinical waste ($800–2,500/tonne).
What is the cost of contamination in recycling bins?+
Contamination costs Melbourne businesses $50–200 per incident in penalty fees. If contamination exceeds 10–15%, providers may reclassify recycling as general waste, increasing costs 40–100%. Staff training can reduce contamination by up to 70%.
See exactly what you are overpaying
Bundle Waste reviews your current waste invoices and benchmarks them against a network of Melbourne providers — free, with a written report in 5 business days. You will see what you pay now, where the hidden charges are, and the rate we can negotiate. You only pay from the savings we find: no savings, no fee.
Get my free waste audit →
Updated 25 June 2026
