Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy
Hilltops Council in consultation with the community developed a Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy which outlines a clear direction for the minimisation, management and education around waste and recycling for the Hilltops Local Government Area.
Overview of changes to kerbside waste collection
Hilltops Council is committed to delivering efficient, sustainable, and community-focused waste services.
Following extensive consultation with residents, businesses, and stakeholders across the Hilltops Local Government Area (LGA) – which included community workshops, written submissions, and our 2025 Waste Management Survey – we gained valuable insights into the community’s priorities and expectations.
From 1 July 2025, a number of improvements to waste services have been implemented, reflecting the preferences expressed throughout the consultation process. While these changes are now in effect, the introduction of the new three-bin service for Koorawatha and the green bin service for Boorowa is expected to commence on 1 October 2025, due to delays in bin supply.
Please see below an overview of these changes and applicable dates:
Boorowa (please scroll down to Kerbside Collection Services to see map and calendar):
- All collections will be on Wednesday.
- General waste (red lid) will be collected every Wednesday.
- Recycling (yellow lid) will be collected fortnightly on a Wednesday.
- From 1 October, green waste (green lid) will be collected fortnightly on the alternate Wednesday to recycling.
- Green waste collection is starting later than planned because the supply of bins has been delayed. Council will give Boorowa residents a $10 rebate because of the delay, which will be shown as a separate line on your 2025-2026 rates notice.
- Domestic green waste can still be dropped off for free at the Boorowa waste facility for Boorowa resident/ratepayers with depot tags.
Galong (please scroll down to Kerbside Collection Services to see map and calendar):
- From 1 July, a three-bin system will be used.
- General waste (red lid) will be collected every Monday.
- Any 240L general waste bins will be replaced with 140L bins when they are damaged or due for replacement.
- Recycling (yellow lid) will be collected fortnightly on a Thursday.
- Green waste (green lid) will be collected fortnightly on the Friday on the alternate week to recycling.
Koorawatha (please scroll down to Kerbside Collection Services to see map and calendar):
- A three-bin kerbside waste collection will start from 1 October.
- Pick up was meant to start on July 1, but because the bins are late, it will now start in October. To make up for this, Council will give Koorawatha customers a $148.95 rebate which is 25% of the total cost of the service. This will appear as a separate line on your rates notice.
- Bins will be delivered to customers from mid-July. A letter will be sent showing the pick up days before the service starts on 1 October.
- General waste (red lid) and recycling (yellow lid) will be collected one week.
- General waste (red lid) and green waste (green lid) will be collected the other week.
- Household garbage can be taken to the Koorawatha waste facility until the kerbside collection service begins. The waste facility is not proposed to be closed so will still be available for any excess household waste you cannot fit in your new wheelie bins.
- Council does not have full details about all the houses in Koorawatha. Please contact Council if:
-
- Your land is in the Koorawatha Village zone (maybe screenshot of where this is on rates notice?) but there is no dwelling (house) on the property. You will not be charged for bin pick up, just the vacant land waste charge which is $164.72 in 2025/2026; or
- You have more than one Koorawatha Village property but only one dwelling (house) between them. You will only need to pay for one waste charge which will be the domestic collection charge for your dwelling property.
Young (please scroll down to Kerbside Collection Services to see map and calendar):
- Recycling collection is fortnightly from 30 June.
- General waste (red lid) and recycling (yellow lid) will be collected one week.
- General waste (red lid) and green waste (green lid) will be collected the other week.
- All your bins are collected on the same day of the week based on your zone as shown on the map.
All impacted residents will be receiving a letter outlining these changes and the new collection days (including a map and calendar).
We apologise for any confusion caused as we transition to improved waste services for our residents and thank you for your continued cooperation and support as we work together to improve waste outcomes, meet environmental and financial sustainability goals, and deliver services that meet the needs of our community—now and into the future.
Kerbside Collection Services (including changes implemented from 1 July 2025)
The collection services available depends on where you live in the Hilltops area.
Harden & Young Residential Areas have a three-bin service (garbage, recycling and greenwaste);
Boorowa has a two-bin service (garbage & recycling) with a third bin (greenwaste) being introduced from Wednesday 1 October 2025;
Galong village currently has a garbage service with new recycling and green waste collections and a change in general waste collection frequency from fortnightly to weekly; and
A new three-bin kerbside collection service will be introduced to Koorawatha from Wednesday 1 October 2025.
Other village and rural areas do not have a collection service at this time.
Collection Calendars (click on your town for PDF)
Young is divided into multiple zones for collection. Please see a map of the zones here – PDF Click to download
Waste collection calendars for Young Zones are below:
Young Zone 1A – PDF Click to download
Young Zone 1B – PDF Click to download
Young Zone 2A – PDF Click to download
Young Zone 2B – PDF Click to download
Young Zone 3A – PDF Click to download
Young Zone 3B – PDF Click to download
Young Zone 4A – PDF Click to download
Young Zone 4B – PDF Click to download
Galong – PDF Click to download
Harden Murrumburrah – PDF Click to download
Boorowa – PDF Click to download
Koorawatha – PDF Click to download
Koorawatha Collection Map – PDF Click to download
If any of your bins have not been emptied, one of the following may have occurred:
- The incorrect bin being left out;
- The bin was too heavy for the truck to lift;
- The bin was not facing the right direction (wheels away from the kerb);
- The bin was obstructed;
- Contamination of the bin with the incorrect waste item; or
- Other service issue as detailed.
CONTACTS
Residents of Boorowa and Young can contact the JR Richards & Sons Hilltops Waste Hotline on 1800 403 289.
For residents in Harden and Galong, please contact Hilltops Council on 1300 445 586.
GENERAL WASTE
What goes in your general waste bin – PDF Click to download
RECYCLING
What goes in your recycling bin – PDF Click to download
GARDEN ORGANICS
A green waste/garden organics collection service is provided for residents in the Harden and Young residential areas and has a light green lid. Boorowa does not currently receive this service.
What goes in your greenwaste bin – PDF Click to download
LOST, STOLEN AND DAMAGED BINS
If one or more of your bins need replacing, please complete the JR Richards & Sons Bin Request Form if you live in Boorowa or Young or the Hilltops Council Bin Request Form if you live in Harden or Galong.
Either form can be forwarded to Hilltops Council by either post at Locked Bag 5, Young NSW 2586 or emailed to mail@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Alternatively, please contact Hilltops Council on 1300 445 586 and we will be able to assist you.
Waste facilities
Hilltops Council administers several facilities across the area. Some of these are licensed facilities by the NSW Environment Protection Authority, however all operate under guidelines issued under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and Guidelines as issued by the EPA.
Council encourages all residents to reduce, reuse and recycle, and asks that residents follow signage and directions given to ensure that sustainable waste services can continue to be offered to its residents.
Map of Hilltops Council Waste Management Facilities and Waste Transfer Stations here.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO PAY?
Some waste incurs a cost because it goes to landfill, which affects our environment and also costs more for the Council to dispose, please refer to Councils Fees and Charges. Visit our Council Policies & Plans page to view the most up to date Fees and Charges.
VICTORIA ST TRANSFER STATION AND MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITY YOUNG
Victoria St, Young
PH: (02) 6382 2980
Open: Monday to Saturday 8.30am-4.00pm
Sunday and Public Holidays 8.30am – 2.30pm
Closed: Good Friday and Christmas Day
The Victoria St site accepts mixed solid waste, whitegoods, tyres and green waste, as well as facilities for recycling (including scrap metal, paper, plastics, glass, aluminium, e-waste, waste oils, and DrumMuster)
ASBESTOS
The Victoria Street Facility accepts asbestos by appointment only with 48 hours notice required. To make an appointment to dispose of asbestos please call 1300 445 586.
Please note the following:
- Bonded asbestos only. Friable asbestos is unable to be accepted
- Asbestos sheeting must be double wrapped in heavy duty polyethylene (polythene) sheeting (minimum 200 μm thickness.)
- Each bag must be labelled ‘asbestos’
- Only small quantities of asbestos will be accepted (max 10 square meters)
- Large commercial volumes are unable to be accepted. Large volumes are to be disposed at an alternate licenced facility that is licenced to accept asbestos
- Bagged/wrapped asbestos must be portioned to enable easy and safe manoeuvring.
REDHILL RD LANDFILL FACILITY
Redhill Rd, Young
Open: Monday to Saturday 8.00am to 12.00pm, 2.00pm to 4.00pm
(closed 12.00pm-2.00pm)
Closed Sundays and Public Holidays
The Redhill Rd site accepts inert and non-organic materials only, including concrete and rubble, building materials, furniture, plastics and fabrics (mattresses, lounges etc).
No greenwaste, food items, hazardous wastes will be accepted at this site.
BOOROWA WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY
Tip Road, Boorowa
Open: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 1.15pm to 4.00pm
Saturday & Sunday 8.00am to 4.00pm
(closed for lunch 12.30pm to 1.00pm)
Closed: Public Holidays
The Boorowa Waste Management Facility accepts mixed solid waste, whitegoods, tyres and green waste, as well as recycling facilities (including scrap metal, paper, plastics, glass, aluminium, e-waste, waste oils, and DrumMuster)
MURRUMBURRAH WASTE TRANSFER STATION
Araluen Road, Murrumburrah
Open: Wednesday & Friday 9:00am – 3:30pm
Sunday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Closed: Public Holidays
The Murrumburrah Waste Transfer Station accepts mixed solid waste, whitegoods, tyres and green waste, as well as recycling facilities (including scrap metal, paper, plastics, glass, aluminium, e-waste, waste oils, and DrumMuster)
GALONG TRANSFER STATION
Open: 9.30am to 12.30pm Thursday and Saturday
JUGIONG WASTE TRANSFER STATION
Open: 1.30pm-4.30pm Thursday and Saturday
The Galong and Jugiong Transfer Station accept household waste (mixed solid waste) and recycling, including comingled recycling, DrumMuster and waste motor oils)
KOORAWATHA WASTE FACILITY
Koorawatha tip will operate under supervision and will be open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8am to 12:30pm and 1pm to 2:30pm.
OTHER VILLAGE FACILITIES
Other village landfill/transfer stations are accessible to residents eligible for the service. Village facilities are available for household waste and recycling only. All other waste materials must be disposed of at the appropriate facility in Young, Boorowa or Harden.
Programs
FREE E-WASTE DISPOSAL
Free e-waste disposal is available for TVs and personal computers.
E-waste collection is available at three sites in the Hilltops area;
- Young Victoria St (contact 02 6382 2980)
- Boorowa Landfill (contact 02 6380 2000)
- Murrumburrah Waste Transfer Station (contact 02 6386 2305)
DrumMUSTER
Council is an active and registered participant of the DrumMuster Scheme for the return of used agricultural, farm and veterinary chemical containers. These drums can be delivered to Council’s facilities at:
- Young Victoria St (contact 02 6380 2980)
- Boorowa Landfill (contact 02 6380 2000)
- Galong and Jugiong Waste Transfer Stations (contact 02 6386 2305)
HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL CLEANOUT
The Household Chemical Cleanout event is held once a year, where residents can drop off their unwanted household chemicals free of charge.
Chemicals include:
You can take household quantities of the following household chemical, and items – up to a maximum of 20 litres or 20 kilograms of a single item, except for paint, which residents can drop off up to 100 litres (in 20-litre containers) and household batteries, which residents can drop up to 10 kilograms.
- 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
Business-related and commercial quantities of chemicals are not accepted. Please inquire with a commercial waste operator or visit www.businesrecycling.com.au for commercial waste disposal.
The event is hosted by Council through the support of the NSW EPA.
Rethink your waste
We would like to encourage our residents to RETHINK YOUR WASTE!
The best bin is an empty one where waste is avoided or reused. Think about the RRRRRs:
REFUSE!
REDUCE!
REUSE!
REPAIR!
RECYCLE!
It’s important that we all work together to try and reduce waste, improve recycling and dispose of waste items responsibly.
Recycling & resource recovery
Recycling & resource recovery
Let’s all work together to recycle to reduce waste in our environment.
REFUSE!
Say no to extra packaging, Bring your own bag, basket or box, Say no to ‘junk mail’, Avoid disposable cups and plates (bring your own cup).
REDUCE!
Bring your own cup, Shop local and avoid excess packaging, Buy only what you need. Check out programs like Love Food Hate Waste or for businesses, check out BinTrim (see links below).
REUSE!
Look for items that are reusable, refillable, rechargeable.
Use reusable containers, Donate unwanted items to Charity, Hold Garage Sale (or join the Garage Sale Trail!), Buy preloved items.
REPAIR!
Fix and Repair your items to keep them in your home and out of landfill.
RECYCLE!
Recycle everything you can, Choose items made from recyclable and reusable materials, compost or get a worm farm.
Recycling can be confusing. Not all plastics can be recycled and what’s recyclable in other council areas may not be recyclable here.
Recycling in the Hilltops: Click here for PDF.
What can go in your yellow bin: Click here for PDF.
Please remember to;
- Rinse Containers
- Lose the lids! (take the lids off containers – they usually aren’t the same type of plastic and contaminate a sorted load)
- No plastic bags or soft plastics
- No liquids
A-Z Recycling guide now available here
It can be confusing as to what is recyclable and what is not, please see the above guide for what is recyclable in the Hilltops.
OTHER RESOURCES
There are a lot of great resources available for residents, educators and groups, who want to Rethink their Waste. Some links are provided below.
ABC’s War on Waste http://www.abc.net.au/ourfocus/waronwaste/
ABC Splash War on Waste Education resources http://education.abc.net.au/newsandarticles/blog/-/b/2535555/25-educational-resources-to-help-kids-with-the-war-on-waste
Love Food Hate Waste (http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au/)
National Recycling Week (http://recyclingweek.planetark.org/)
Bin Trim http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/recycling-and-reuse/business-government-recycling/bin-trim
Bournda Environmental Education Centre http://bourndaeec.nsw.edu.au/programs/learning-for-sustainability-programs/cbrjo/
Composting http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/households/composting.htm
REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
Council is a member of two regional groups, working together in a concerted effort on waste management and resource recovery.
South West Slopes Regional Waste Management Group
The South West Slopes Regional Waste Management Group (SWRWMG) is a collective of four (4) local Council areas that manage the transport and disposal of waste at the regional landfill managed by Ecofil Pty Ltd in Jugiong.
CBRJO Waste & Resource Recovery Group
The Canberra Region Joint Organisation explores resource recovery on a larger scale, providing a forum for councils, state agencies and other stakeholders to work together at a regional level to identify shared priorities and deliver regional projects.
Hilltops Council Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy
PDF – Click to download