Georges River Council - Refuse, Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Resell, Recycle

Refuse, Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Resell, Recycle

Whilst recycling is important, refusing and reducing what we consume is the first step we should take to sustainably manage waste. This reduces the consumption of water, energy, fuel and natural resources needed to make new materials and eventually recycle.

Upcoming Event

Georges River Council's Household Chemical CleanOut scheduled for Sunday 16 March 2025 has been cancelled due to the recent fire at the St Mary’s Waste Service facility.

More information: Household Chemial CleanOut.

E-Waste Drop Off

E-Waste Drop Off is an event which allows residents of the Georges River area to drop off their unwanted e-waste for free.
Additional non E-Waste items are now also accepted for recycling at E-Waste events.

Date: Sunday 11 May 2025
Location: Mortdale Depot - Depot Road, Mortdale.
Time: 9.00am - 3.30pm.
More information: E-waste Drop Off

More examples of how to use the Waste Hierarchy.

Refuse
Refusing packaging at the source puts pressure on manufactures to produce more sustainable alternatives.
- Refuse packaging where possible choosing loose items.
- Refuse single use produce bags and shopping bags.
- Refuse over packaged items with multiple layers of packaging.
- Refuse fast fashion and move towards sustainable fashion.
Reduce
Reducing the amount of soft plastics and packaged products is more cost effective and reduces the amount of waste going to landfill.
- Use reusable shopping bags.
- Use reusable produce bags.
- Choose packaging that is compostable.
- Use a shopping list and menu planner to avoid food waste.
- Compost food scraps, reducing the amount of food waste going to landfill.
Repair
Many items we place out for Kerbside Clean Up collections can be repaired.

The Bower is an environmental charity offering programs and services to create a circular economy.
- Repair Cafes for furniture and electronics.
- Bike repairs.
- Sewing and mending basics.
Reuse
Many items we place out for Kerbside Clean Up or dispose of can be reused. Here are some examples of how to reuse items.
- Reverse Garbage is a creative reuse centre offering Workshops and DIY projects and a Reuse shop selling products that can be reused.
- Eco Styles an online platform for clothing swaps.
- The Bower Reuse Data Base tool helping to locate other organisations that can reuse household items.
Resell
Many items we place out for Kerbside Clean Up or dispose of can be resold.
- Gumtree.
- Facebook market place.
- Charities and Op Shops.
Recycle
If you have exhausted all the above options and have materials to recycle, the following options are available:
- E-Waste including televisions, set top boxes, computers and more.
- Household Chemical CleanOut including paints, chemicals, gas bottles and more.
- Batteries, CDS, DVDS and mobile phones - can be recycled for free at:
  - Georges River Council Civic Centre – Corner of Dora and Macmahon Streets, Hurstville.
  - Clive James Library – Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave Street, Kogarah.
  - Hurstville Library - Corner of Queen and Dora Streets, Hurstville.
- Return and Earn container deposit scheme.
- Recycle Mate app.
- A-Z Recycling.

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