Residents across the Illawarra region are being advised of important changes to their household bin collection services during the Christmas and New Year period. Both Wollongong City Council and Shellharbour City Council have confirmed there will be no kerbside collections on Thursday, 25 December (Christmas Day).
Revised Collection Schedules and Extra Services
Households in both local government areas should place their bins out on their regular collection day following the Christmas public holiday. Council trucks will then collect them over the subsequent days as services catch up.
To help manage the significant increase in waste generated during the festive season, Shellharbour Council is providing an additional recycling bin collection between 29 December and 9 January. This extra yellow-lid bin service will occur on the same day as a resident's regular red (general waste) and green (FOGO) bin collection.
Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer encouraged residents to have a sustainable Christmas by using their green-lid FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) bin for all food scraps, including prawn shells and seafood leftovers. Real Christmas trees can also be disposed of in the FOGO bin.
Recycling Tips and Drop-Off Events
Residents are reminded that recyclables should be placed in the yellow-lid bin loose, not in plastic bags, to ensure they can be properly processed. Both councils are also managing specific facilities during the break.
The Dunmore Recycling and Waste Depot will be closed on Christmas Day but open on all other days, including weekends and public holidays, from 8am to 4pm. The depot typically experiences a major surge in visitors between 10am and 2pm during the holiday period, and patrons are asked to be patient.
In the Wollongong council area, the Wollongong Waste and Resource Recovery Park at Kembla Grange, which includes the Community Recycling Centre (CRC), will also be closed on Christmas Day. The CRC is open every other day and accepts free drop-offs of additional cardboard and other household recyclables.
To further assist, Wollongong City Council has organised special Cardboard and Recycling Drop-off Events at three locations:
- Fred Finch Park, Berkeley: Saturday, 27 December 2025, 7:30am to 12:00pm.
- Rex Jackson Park, Helensburgh: Monday, 29 December 2025, 7:30am to 12:00pm.
- Ray Robinson Oval, Towradgi: Tuesday, 30 December 2025, 7:30am to 12:00pm.
These events accept flattened cardboard, steel and aluminium cans, rigid plastic containers, glass bottles and jars, and milk cartons. Residents must provide proof of address within the Wollongong LGA, such as a driver's licence.
Other Important Service Notes
Shellharbour Council has also announced that its bulk kerbside collection services will be paused and will resume from 7 January.
For those looking to declutter after Christmas or find unique second-hand gifts, Mayor Homer suggested a visit to Reviva Dunmore, the council's reuse and repair centre, to upcycle unwanted items.
By planning ahead and using the available services, Illawarra residents can ensure their holiday period is both festive and tidy, while maximising recycling efforts.
