Hobart hard waste collection rules for every council

Got bulky waste to get rid of in Greater Hobart? Your options depend on which council area you live in. Some councils offer free kerbside hard waste collections, while others require you to take larger household items to a waste transfer station.

Even where kerbside collection is available, the rules vary. What you can put out, how much you can get rid of and when collections happen all depend on your council.

Whether you’re clearing out before a move, making space at home or tackling your garage storage, we’ve broken down the hard waste options and what you need to know before you get started.

How hard rubbish collection works across Greater Hobart

Each council manages waste differently. Here’s a quick look at how the main council areas compare:

So, if you’re in Brighton or Sorell, getting rid of bulky waste may be as simple as making use of your council’s kerbside service. In Hobart, Glenorchy, Clarence, or Kingborough, you’ll generally need to take larger items to a waste facility or arrange another disposal option.

Next, we’ll look at each council area in more detail, including what’s available, what it costs and what you need to know before bringing your items kerbside or loading up your trailer.

A closer look at the hard waste rules across Hobart

Now let’s take a closer look at how hard waste works in each council area, including collection limits, accepted items and what you’ll need to arrange yourself. 

Brighton Council

If you live in the Brighton Council area and receive a kerbside rubbish collection, here’s what you need to know:

• Free collections: You can access 2 free green and hard waste collections each year, usually held at the end of April and October.
• Bookings: There’s no need to book.
• Collection limit: Each household can put out up to 2 m³ of green and hard waste combined, or roughly a box trailer load. The two waste types need to be kept in separate piles.
• Item size: Hard waste items must be no longer than 2 metres and light enough for two people to lift.

What can and can’t go out

• Allowed: Furniture, timber, scrap metal, small appliances, bikes, toys and carpet.
• Not allowed: Mattresses, fridges, freezers and vehicle tyres, along with building materials, hazardous waste and regular household rubbish.

Important: Council only allows items to be placed on the nature strip within the designated collection period, so check the Brighton Council website for current collection dates before putting anything out.

There are no catch-up collections if you miss yours, but hard waste can be taken to the Bridgewater Waste Transfer Station instead.

Sorell Council

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Sorell Council also offers two hard waste kerbside collections each year for properties that receive a kerbside rubbish service. The big difference? You’ll need to book your collection before putting anything out.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Free collections: 2 kerbside hard waste collections each year.
• Collection limit: Up to 2 m³ of hard waste.
• Item size: Individual items must be less than 1.5 m long and light enough for two people to safely lift.
• When to put it out: During the weekend before your scheduled collection week, once you've booked.

What can't go out?

• Appliances and vehicle-related items: Fridges, freezers, tyres and batteries.
• Building and hazardous waste: Asbestos, broken glass, building rubble, gas bottles and hazardous materials.
• Regular household rubbish.

Important: Don’t put your waste out early. Unbooked or incorrectly placed waste won’t be collected and could leave you with a littering fine.

Collection dates vary throughout the year, so check the Sorell Council website for the current schedule and book your collection before the cut-off.

City of Hobart

If you live in the City of Hobart, there’s no council kerbside hard waste collection or hard waste voucher scheme.

Instead, bulky household waste can be taken to the McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre in South Hobart.

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Here’s what you need to know before heading to the tip:

• Accepted waste: General mixed waste, along with a range of items that need to be handled separately, including mattresses, fridges, freezers and tyres.
• Disposal fees: This one isn’t free. General waste is charged by weight, with minimum fees applying to smaller loads.
• Recycling: Some recyclable and hard-to-recycle items can be disposed of separately, so it’s worth sorting your load before you go.

Check the City of Hobart website for current fees and accepted items before loading up the car or trailer.

Glenorchy City Council

Glenorchy doesn’t offer a regular free kerbside hard waste collection either. For larger household items, residents can use the Jackson Street Waste Management Centre.

There are a few things worth knowing before you go:

• Disposal fees: Fees apply for most general and bulky waste, including items like furniture and timber.
• Free recycling: There’s a free recycling drop-off area before the facility’s tollbooth for certain recyclable and hard-to-recycle items.
• Sorting your waste: Items accepted for free recycling need to be separated from general waste.

It’s worth checking what you have before throwing everything into one load.

Check Glenorchy City Council’s current waste guide before you go to see where your items belong and what charges may apply.

Clarence City Council

Clarence residents don’t currently have access to a regular council kerbside hard waste collection. If you remember the council offering hard waste services or tip vouchers in the past, it’s worth noting that these are no longer available.

Instead, here's what you need to know about getting rid of bulky waste:

• Where to go: Mornington Park Waste Transfer Station.
• Disposal fees: Fees apply depending on what you're dropping off.

Kingborough Council

Kingborough Council doesn’t offer a regular kerbside hard waste collection, so larger unwanted household items need to be taken to one of the area’s waste facilities or disposed of another way.

Here are your main options:

• Barretta Waste Management Facility: Accepts general and bulky household waste, along with a range of recyclable materials.
• Bruny Island: Kingborough also operates waste facilities on Bruny Island for residents there.

What about disposal fees? Fees vary depending on the type and amount of waste you’re dropping off, and some items need to be separated for recycling or safe disposal.

Clearing out before a move?

Moving has a habit of uncovering just how much stuff you’ve accumulated. And if your council doesn’t offer kerbside hard waste collection, or the next collection date doesn’t line up with moving day, you may need another plan.

Start early, separate anything you can donate, sell or recycle, and check where the rest needs to go before the boxes start piling up. Once you’ve cleared what isn’t coming with you, Upmove can help with everything that is.

You can book Hobart’s best and most affordable removalists to get your furniture, boxes, and belongings safely from your old place to your new one.