General waste bins are collected weekly, and recycling bins are collected every fortnight on the same day as your general waste collection day. Bins could be picked up anytime from 5am onwards, so please put your bins out by 5am on the scheduled day, or there is no guarantee it will be collected - or better still put them out the night before.
Residential Recycling Service
Service provided: Co-mingled
All items should be emptied, rinsed and with lids removed. Place recyclables in the bin loose - Bagged recyclables end up in landfill.
Only recycle the main 5:
- Glass bottles and jars
- Paper - Not shredded
- Cardboard - Flattened
- Plastic bottles and containers
- Steel and aluminium cans
Never place food, nappies, batteries or syringes in your recycling bin.
Domestic recycling bin size options:
- 140L blue bin
- 240L blue bin
- 360L blue bin
Collection: Fortnightly on same day as general waste bin collection.
Recycling Bin Requirements
The occupier of the property must ensure that waste and recycling bins are:
- On the kerbside by 5am on the scheduled day of collection - preferably out the night before your collection day. Download the 2024-25 collection calendar.
- Kept clean and sorted correctly
- Placed on the street verge approximately half a metre (0.5m) from the kerb with the lid opening closest to the road.
- One metre (1m) apart to ensure the truck has room to collect each bin.
- Positioned away from any over-hanging obstructions so they do not interfere with the use of roads, footpaths, cycle ways, etc.
- Returned inside the property once emptied.
Since recycling in Esperance is hand sorted, the Shire has a "3 Strikes Policy". Contaminated recycling bins (blue bins containing non-recyclable products like nappies and soft plastics) will not be collected. If this occurs three times, the recycling service is removed from the property.
The loss of or damage to a bin is the property owner’s responsibility. If your bin needs repairing or replacing, please complete the online form.
Commercial Recycling Service
The Shire of Esperance provides a weekly or fortnightly recycling collection service for businesses, schools and organisations that wish to participate.
Service provided: Co-mingled (glass is exempt)
Commercial Recycling Bin size options:
- 4.5m3 bulk recycling bin
- 3m3 bulk recycling bin
- 1.5m3 bulk recycling bin
- 360L blue bin
- 240L blue bin
Collection: Tuesday or Thursday mornings
Please complete the Change of Commercial Bins Request Form if you require a new, replacement, or change of bin.
NOTE: A fortnightly collection is available for businesses only where it coincides with the residential collection.
Town Recycling Stations
The recycling stations are available for use by all residents who live outside the current recycling collection area as well as tourists.
The Recycling Stations are located in the below locations:
- Bunnings carpark, corner of Norseman Road and Arthur Street
- Visitor Centre carpark, corner of Kemp and Dempster Streets
Please report misuse to the Shire on (08) 9071 0666.
Rural Recycling Stations
Rural recycling stations are located in the towns of:
- Scaddan
- Grass Patch
- Salmon Gums
- Cascade
- Condingup
- Coomalbidgup
Containers for Change
Containers for Change is a state-wide container deposit scheme that let's you cash in eligible drink containers for 10 cents each.
In WA, we use more than 1.3 billion eligible drink containers each year - enough drink containers to circumnavigate WA six times every year.
When it comes to recycling, Western Australians now have the chance to make real change and earn cash while we do it. You can return containers to the Esperance Depot on 19 Effie Turner Drive. Visit here for more information on opening hours.
By recycling through Containers for Change, you help to:
- Reduce litter and landfill
- Increase recycling
- Create jobs
- Provide opportunities for social enterprise and benefits for community organisations
Fundraising - Containers for Change provides exciting and easy opportunities for groups and charities to raise much-needed funds. Turn your containers into change! Visit here to read more about how the program works and how to sign up.
This program is a State Government initiative and not coordinated by the Shire of Esperance. Please visit the Containers for Change website for any further information or with any concerns.
Wylie Bay Facility Tours
A guided visit to the MRF recycling shed highlights to visitors what happens to our recyclables after the truck empties the bin from home. You will see how the materials are sorted by hand and then baled, ready for transport to Perth. Bookings essential. For further information click here or email shire@esperance.wa.gov.au.