How Do I Get Rid of Green Waste? (4 Honest Options)

We get asked this one all the time — especially after a big weekend in the garden. The green bin’s already full, there’s a pile of branches by the fence, and you’re not sure what to do next.

Here’s the short version: you’ve got four real options for getting rid of green waste. Which one’s right depends on how much you’ve got, whether you have a trailer, and how much time you want to spend on it.

We’ll walk through each one honestly — including when a skip bin is not the answer.

Option 1: Council Green Waste Bin (Free, Best for Small Regular Amounts)

If your green waste is manageable — lawn clippings, small prunings, weeds from the garden bed — your council’s green bin is the right first call.

Most councils across Penrith, the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, and Blacktown provide a 240-litre green waste bin, usually collected fortnightly. In some areas it’s rolled into a FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) service. Either way, it handles the ongoing stuff for free.

Where it works:

• Regular mowing clippings and soft prunings
• Small amounts that fit in the bin between collections
• No urgency — you’re fine waiting a fortnight

Where it doesn’t:

• After a serious garden clean-up where you’ve got more than a bin’s worth
• Thick woody branches (check what your specific council accepts — some are fussier than others)
• When you need it gone this week, not in ten days

Check your local council’s website for collection schedules and accepted materials. Penrith, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, and Blacktown all run green waste services — but what they’ll take and how often varies more than you’d think.

Option 2: Home Composting or Mulching (Free, Needs Effort)

If you’ve got the right gear, turning green waste into something useful beats paying for disposal.

Mulching — Feed branches and prunings through a garden chipper. The chips go straight onto garden beds or around trees. Suppresses weeds, holds moisture, and you end up with a genuinely useful product. Chipper hire usually runs around $80–$120 a day from your local hire place.

Composting — Soft green waste (grass clippings, soft prunings, plant scraps) composts well when mixed with dry carbon material — leaves, cardboard, straw. Takes a few months but you end up with something your garden actually wants.

Honest catch: it takes time and effort. If you’ve got a large block with established garden beds, mulching pays off well over time. If you’re dealing with a one-off clean-up and don’t usually garden, hiring a chipper for the day probably doesn’t make sense.

One more thing worth checking before you hire a chipper: some councils now collect kitchen and garden organics in a combined FOGO bin, which accepts more than a standard green bin. Confirm what your council collects — you might already be covered for the soft material.

Option 3: Trailer Run to the Tip (Cheapest for One-Off Medium Loads)

If you’ve got a trailer (or can borrow one), taking your green waste to a waste management centre yourself is often the cheapest option for a medium-sized load.

Green waste is generally charged at a lower rate than general waste at tips because it can be composted rather than going to landfill. Most centres weigh your load and charge by the tonne — still not free, but usually the most economical choice if you can move the material yourself.

What you’ll need:

• A trailer big enough for the load
• A couple of hours (including queuing — Saturday mornings can be slow)
• Card or cash for weigh fees

Where it falls short:

• Multiple trips — the time and fuel start stacking up
• You’ll need to load everything yourself
• Not an option without a tow vehicle

Your local council’s website will list the nearest waste management centres, hours, and what they accept. Most centres in the Penrith, Blue Mountains, and Hawkesbury areas accept green waste — worth checking before you go, especially for woody material or large volumes.

Option 4: Skip Bin Hire (Best for Medium to Large Volumes)

If you’re doing a proper clean-up — clearing an overgrown block, removing established hedges, dealing with the aftermath of a storm, or prepping a site for landscaping — a skip bin is usually the most practical option.

You order the bin, we deliver it, you fill it in your own time, and we collect it. No trailer required, no tip queues, no multiple runs. Standard hire is 4 days, with extensions at $20 per day if you need a bit longer.

When a skip bin makes sense:

• Large volume of branches, clippings, shrubs, or ground cover
• Post-storm cleanup with serious material to move
• Landscaping projects removing established garden
• No trailer, no tow vehicle, or you just want the job done without a weekend project

When it probably doesn’t:

• A council bin’s worth of clippings — that’s exactly what the green bin is for
• You’ve got a trailer and the time — tip run will be cheaper

What we take in green waste bins: Branches, grass clippings, hedge trimmings, plants, leaves. What we can’t take: soil (too heavy per cubic metre), rocks, or general rubbish mixed into a green-waste-only bin. If you’re mixing green waste with renovation material, that’s fine — it goes into a mixed-waste skip, which is priced accordingly. See our full pricing guide for current rates across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

We deliver across Penrith, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Blacktown, and surrounding Western Sydney suburbs.

Which Option Is Actually Right for You?

Here’s a quick way to think about it:

• Small, ongoing amounts: Use your council green waste bin. That’s what it’s for.
• You want to keep it and it has value: Compost or mulch. Takes effort, but it’s free and useful.
• One-off medium load, you have a trailer: Tip run. Usually the cheapest option if you can do the work yourself.
• Large volume, no trailer, or you just want it sorted: Skip bin. You’re paying for convenience — and when the volume’s right, it’s worth it.

Still not sure? Give us a call and describe what you’ve got. We’ll tell you honestly whether a skip makes sense or whether one of the other options is a better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put soil in with green waste?

No. Soil goes into a separate heavy-waste category — it’s too dense to mix with green garden waste in a standard skip bin. If you’re removing plants along with soil, let us know when you book and we’ll sort out the right bin type.

What happens to green waste after Ezi-Bin collects it?

Green waste collected in Western Sydney typically goes to a licensed recycling facility where it’s processed into compost or mulch product. It doesn’t go to landfill — which is part of why green waste disposal is usually priced lower than general waste.

Can I put a palm tree in a skip bin?

Palm fronds, yes. Palm trunks are heavy and bulky — if you’re removing a whole palm, let us know when you book so we can size the bin correctly. Better to know upfront than have the bin overflow.

How long do I get to keep the skip bin?

Our standard hire period is 4 days. If you need longer, extensions are $20 per day — just call us before your scheduled collection date and we’ll sort it out.

What’s the difference between a FOGO bin and a green waste bin?

FOGO stands for Food Organics and Garden Organics — some councils have combined both into one bin. A standard green waste bin usually takes garden waste only. Your council’s waste page is the best place to check what service runs in your area.

Is it cheaper to hire a skip or take a trailer to the tip for green waste?

For small to medium loads, a trailer trip is usually cheaper. For large volumes — say, 4+ cubic metres of green waste — a skip bin often works out more cost-effective once you factor in multiple trips, fuel, and your time. If you’re not sure, give us a call and we’ll give you an honest answer.

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Ezi-Bin provides skip bin hire across Penrith, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Blacktown, and surrounding Western Sydney suburbs. Book online at ezibin.com.au.