Most people do not think much about rubbish until there is a problem.
A bin room starts to smell. Recycling ends up in the wrong bin. Moving boxes are left behind. Suddenly, something that should be simple becomes frustrating for everyone.
That is because rubbish works differently in a strata community. Instead of one household managing its own waste, people share bin rooms, recycling facilities, waste chutes, collection areas and common property. What one person does can affect many others.
Poor rubbish management can lead to overflowing bins, unpleasant odours, pest problems and additional cleaning costs. It can also make common areas harder to use and create frustration between neighbours.
The good news is that many rubbish-related issues can be avoided through simple habits, clear communication and a shared understanding of how the community’s waste arrangements work.
Australia’s National Waste Policy also recognises that reducing waste and improving resource recovery relies on everyone playing a role, from governments and businesses to communities and households.
Depending on where you live, your community may be known as a strata scheme, owners corporation, body corporate, community titles scheme or unit title scheme.
For simplicity, this article uses the term ‘strata community’ throughout.
While the names may vary, the principles discussed in this article generally apply to communities where residents share common property, facilities and responsibilities.
Most rubbish issues are not caused by people deliberately doing the wrong thing. They usually happen because someone is unsure what goes where or what the process is for larger items.
A few simple habits can help keep waste areas cleaner, safer and easier for everyone to use.
Most strata communities provide separate bins for general rubbish and recycling. Some councils also provide food and garden organics collections.
Using the correct bin helps reduce contamination and improves the likelihood that recyclable materials can actually be recycled.
A single incorrect item can sometimes contaminate an entire recycling bin, meaning recyclable materials may be sent to a landfill instead.
If you are unsure where something belongs, check the bin’s information or visit your local council’s website.
Large delivery boxes can fill shared bins surprisingly quickly.
Flattening cardboard takes very little effort, but it creates more space for other residents and helps reduce overflowing bins. This can be particularly helpful after a move, a renovation, or a busy online shopping period.
If an item does not fit inside the bin, avoid leaving it beside the bin or elsewhere on common property.
In many cases, items left beside bins will not be collected as part of normal waste services. This often means additional cleaning, removal costs or contractor call-outs that could otherwise have been avoided.
Furniture, mattresses, appliances and large moving boxes generally require a different disposal process.
Rather than leaving them in a bin room or common area, keep them within your lot until collection or disposal has been arranged. Many councils provide bulky waste collection services, while some items may be suitable for donation, resale or reuse.
Small actions can help make shared waste facilities more pleasant to use.
Consider:
These habits can help reduce odours, pests and unnecessary cleaning costs.
Every strata community operates differently.
Some buildings have waste chutes. Others use shared bin rooms or individual bins. There may also be specific procedures for recycling, hard rubbish or move-in waste.
Taking a few minutes to understand how your community manages waste can prevent confusion later and help avoid unnecessary problems.
Not all councils collect the same materials.
If you are unsure whether something can be recycled, check your local council’s guidance before placing it in the recycling bin.
This is particularly helpful for batteries, soft plastics, electronic waste and mixed-material packaging.
Most strata communities manage rubbish through a combination of legislation, by-laws or rules, council requirements and building procedures.
These requirements vary between states and territories, which is why understanding your community’s specific arrangements is important.
The Unit Titles Schemes Act 2009 allows a body corporate to establish by-laws about the operation of the scheme and the use of common property. While the legislation does not specifically address rubbish disposal, many communities have their own rules and procedures for managing waste, recycling and shared facilities.
In New South Wales, rubbish and recycling are generally managed through registered strata by-laws, building procedures and local council requirements. Because by-laws can vary between communities, there is no single set of rubbish disposal rules that applies to every strata scheme. Residents should refer to the by-laws registered for their scheme and follow any building-specific procedures for rubbish, recycling, bulky items and the use of common property.
Under Schedule 4 of the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997, residents are responsible for disposing of rubbish in accordance with body corporate requirements and applicable laws. The by-laws also require rubbish to be managed in a way that does not adversely affect the health, hygiene or comfort of other residents. Where no other arrangement has been provided, rubbish bins should be kept clean, covered, and stored either within a lot or in a designated bin area.
Under Schedule 1 of the Strata Titles Act 1998, a body corporate can make by-laws about how common property and shared facilities are used. While the model by-laws do not contain specific rubbish disposal requirements, many communities have their own rules and procedures for managing rubbish, recycling and bulky items.
Under Schedule 2 of the VIC Owners Corporations Regulations 2018, owners and occupiers must dispose of rubbish and waste in a way that does not adversely affect the health, hygiene or comfort of other residents. Communities may also have their own rules and procedures for managing rubbish, recycling and shared waste facilities.
Legislation provides the overall framework, but many day-to-day expectations are set by your community’s by-laws, rules and procedures.
If you are unsure about rubbish, recycling or bulky items, check your community’s rules or speak with your committee.
Leaving a box beside a bin or placing an item in a hallway might not seem like a big deal, especially if you plan to come back for it later.
In a strata community, however, even temporary items can quickly create problems. They can block access, create trip hazards, attract pests, cause odours and make common areas less enjoyable for everyone who uses them.
Additional cleaning, waste removal and contractor call-outs also come at a cost. Depending on the circumstances, those costs could ultimately contribute to higher costs for owners and the community over time.
In some situations, yes.
How a committee, owners corporation or body corporate responds will depend on the situation, the rules that apply to the community and the legislation in that state or territory.
Sometimes a friendly reminder is enough. In other situations, further action may be considered, particularly where the issue continues or affects safety, access or cleanliness.
The goal is not usually punishment. It resolves the issue, keeps common areas usable, and prevents the same problem from happening again.
Sometimes an item left on common property may be considered abandoned goods rather than rubbish.
Different processes may apply depending on the circumstances.
Most people will eventually come across rubbish that appears to have been left in the wrong place. Here is a simple escalation process to follow:
It is worth checking whether there is a simple explanation. A bulky item may already be awaiting collection or there may be a process in place that is not immediately obvious.
Avoid moving large or unidentified objects yourself. In many situations, it is safer and more practical to report the issue through the appropriate channel.
The appropriate contact will differ between communities.
This could involve a building manager, committee, strata, owners corporation, or body corporate manager or a resident reporting system.
A photo and clear description of the location will often make the issue easier to investigate and resolve.
It may indicate a broader issue rather than the actions of a single individual. Unclear signage, insufficient bin capacity, confusing recycling arrangements or limited bulky waste options can all contribute to ongoing problems.
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When rubbish issues become a regular source of frustration, it is often a sign that something in the process could be improved.
For committees, owners corporations and bodies corporate, the most effective solutions are often simple and practical.
People are far more likely to dispose of rubbish correctly when instructions are clear.
Well-labelled bins, visible signage and simple guidance can help reduce confusion and make waste facilities easier to use.
Regular reminders about recycling requirements, bulky waste collections and community procedures can prevent many common issues.
This can be particularly helpful during move-in periods, after renovations or when collection arrangements change.
A single item left beside a bin can quickly attract more rubbish.
Responding early through reminders, updated signage, or community communication often prevents small issues from becoming larger ongoing problems.
Overflowing bins are not always the result of poor behaviour.
In some communities, waste volumes have simply increased over time. Reviewing bin capacity, recycling facilities and collection frequency can help determine whether existing arrangements still suit the community’s needs.
Large items are one of the most common causes of waste-related complaints.
Providing clear information about collection services, donation options and approved disposal methods removes much of the guesswork and helps reduce items being left in common areas.
Australia’s National Waste Policy encourages reducing waste and making better use of resources wherever possible.
Before disposing of something, consider whether it could be reused, repaired, donated or recycled instead.
Small decisions made by many households can add up to a meaningful difference over time.
Managing rubbish in a strata community is about more than keeping bins tidy.
It is about being considerate of the people who share the same facilities, common areas and responsibilities. When everyone understands how the community’s waste arrangements work, things generally run more smoothly.
Whether you are an owner, resident, or committee member, a few simple habits can help reduce waste issues, improve recycling outcomes, and make shared spaces easier for everyone to enjoy.
However, if repairs are needed, committees should ensure all contractors are licensed and familiar with relevant building codes and legislation. It is best practice to contact your strata manager or building manager immediately to organise repairs and maintenance. Doing this as quickly as possible may help your community avoid excessive property damage and potential flow-on effects like mould.
This article is edited by Lauren Shaw Regional General Manager and Licensee-in-Charge on July 2026.
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