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WASTE HANDLING GUIDE

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for designers
and builders
of houses,
residential and
commercial buildings
Introduction
The guide gives essential information to architects, > Adequate size, dimensions and finishing materials?
developers and builders for the design and construction of > A high standard of recycling through source
waste handling facilities in new developments. separation?
The guide expands on requirements for waste facilities > The requirements for general household and green
contained in Council’s Development Control Plan (DCP) and waste collections?
development application conditions. > Separate waste storage areas for mixed use buildings
The guide ensures that all waste facilities in new or existing ie. commercial and residential?
developments comply with Council’s collection service and > The Work Health and Safety requirements of waste
waste minimisation policy. collectors?

Basic requirements for waste facilities are:

> adequate size
> integration with building design and site landscaping Garbage Storage and
Holding Bays
> suitable screening from public areas
> appropriate access for collection
> ensuring WHS requirements for waste contractors are
New residential and mixed residential/commercial
met
developments in the North Sydney Council area must be
To avoid subsequent alteration of plans these requirements provided with a garbage storage and/or holding bay facility
should form part of the overall design for the new building. of sufficient size to accommodate all waste from the building.

To ensure your building design meets the requirements, Waste facilities may be:
see the checklist below prior to lodging your development > a combined storage and holding bay located within
application: 2 metres of the street alignment or public access

Does your waste facility design meet > or garbage storage area at any other location on
the site, provided there is a temporary holding bay
> The type of waste and recycling collection service located within 2 metres of the street alignment or
conducted by Council’s waste contractor? public access.
> Reasonable distance and accessibility from the street
frontage for residents and contractors? Garbage and recycling bins must be placed within 1.5 metres
from the entrance of a combined storage and holding bay or
> Public health standards and amenity of the temporary holding bay, with 2 metre direct access from the
surrounding area, such as odour, noise and visibility of street frontage to the bins. Waste contractors should not have
the bins? to climb steps or enter doors to access bins.

1 WASTE HANDLING GUIDE

Design of Facilities
Although developments may vary widely in their individual
requirements, the following minimum requirements should
Villas, Townhouses and Low-Rise
apply: Developments
The standard waste service for North Sydney Council area is Villas, townhouses and low-rise developments are generally
one to two storeys high with two or more dwellings on the
> one 60L garbage bin, collected weekly per rateable
same site.
property
> and one 140L mobile recycling bin, collected weekly Waste facilities may be:
per rateable property. > a combined storage and holding bay located within 2
metres of the street alignment or other public access
Multi-unit buildings may choose to upgrade to 80, 120 or
240 litre capacity mobile bins for the collection of garbage > or a garbage storage area at any other location on
and a 240L mobile bin for the collection of recyclables. A the site, provided there is a temporary holding bay
comprehensive collection service for garden waste and located within 2 metres of the street alignment or
household clean-up material is also provided. Additional other public access.
space must be provided for the storage of household and
The waste facilities must ensure:
green waste clean-up materials.
> stored waste does not create dust, leachate, odour, or
unsightliness
> permanent storage facilities for putrescible waste
Detached Houses must be shaded, ventilated, water-proof, verminproof
and drained to sewer. Note, a building with a
A dedicated waste holding bay area should be provided that
permanent storage facility more than 2 metres from
is accessible within 2 metres of the street alignment. Where
the street alignment must also have a temporary
servicing is from a rear lane, the holding bay may be built into
holding bay.
the fence structure, with direct access from the lane.
> storage bins are conveniently located both for
The area must be able to accommodate a minimum of residents and contractors

> 1 x 140L mobile recycling bin > storage bins can be easily moved from the waste
storage area to the collection vehicle
> and 1 x 60L garbage bin for each dwelling. > storage and collection systems are designed to
minimise noise, especially during collection of waste

2 WASTE HANDLING GUIDE

Example diagrams of holding bay styles for
8
villas, townhouses and low-rise developments 1

730mm

600mm
6

5
4

1000mm
2

1 m
3 0
m

Outdoor storage/holding bay for block of 1-3 units 2

5
0

750mm 800mm
4 5

Outdoor garbage storage/holding bay for block of

4-12 units

Legend
1 face brickwork to match main building 5 front brickwork optional - could have completely
2 lattice upper as visual screen open front
3 concrete floor graded and drained to Sydney Water 6 space allocated for MGB
connection 7 roof over bin bay (optional)
4 ramp or path - no steps 8 anti-vandal tap with hose fitting

3 WASTE HANDLING GUIDE

Example diagrams of holding bay styles for
villas, townhouses and low-rise developments

townhouse
backyard
townhouse

townhouse

gazetted road
townhouse

townhouse

driveway to lock up garages under block

stairway
townhouse

units

bin storage
mail
boxes

gazetted road

mail bin storage

boxes

Townhouse development with communal bin area fence

within 2 metres of street alignment

gazetted road

Three storey walk up with bin area within 2 metres

of street alignment

WASTE HANDLING GUIDE 4

High-rise Residential, Mixed Residential/
Commercial Buildings
For buildings which are served by a passenger lift, waste facilities
must:
> provide an internal garbage chute leading to a central 1
garbage storage room that has a waste compaction unit
attached. The compaction unit shall be set at a 2:1 ratio
> provide each level of the building with at least one point of
access to the chute. The access point shall be located in a
signposted room, having a floor area not less than 1.5 metres 2 5
square, appropriate to hold as a minimum 1 x 240L mobile 2
recycling bin for the collection of paper and containers such
as glass/plastic bottles, steel/aluminium cans
8
> provide a separate bulky waste storage room for household 5
cleanup material G

In mixed residential/commercial buildings, waste facilities must:

underground carpark

gazetted road
G
> ensure the garbage chute for the commercial area of the 3
building is kept separate from the residential garbage chute
or vice versa
R 7
> provide ventilation, fire control and other services to the 4
garbage chute room in accordance with the Building Code of 7
Australia (BCA) R
4
> provide a commercial garbage storage facility, separate from
the residential section of sufficient size to accommodate
all waste generated from the commercial section. If a
commercial section garbage facility is located within
the building that is more than 2 metres from the street
gate

alignment, then a temporary holding bay must be provided 5 6

that is located within 2 metres of the street alignment.

Otherwise, waste handling facilities shall be provided in

accordance with those required for villas, townhouses and low-
rise developments.

Legend
1 carousel compactor at base of 4 MGBs for recycling 7 doors for council access 2
garbage chute 5 drainage to sewer metres from street alignment
2 access for caretaker only 6 caged area for discarded bulky 8 tap
3 MGBs for garbage items

5 WASTE HANDLING GUIDE

Garbage and Recycling
Container Requirement Commercial Premises
The following table is a guide only for the minimum number All commercial premises are to be provided with a garbage/
of garbage and recycling containers provided for waste recycling storage area for all waste generated from the
storage and recycling in buildings such as villas townhouses, premises. The following chart is a minimum guide:
home units and low-rise developments.
Type of premises Waste generation
The number of containers required for residential, mixed Retail trading
residential/commercial development buildings which have 0.1 - 0.2 cubic metres per/100m2 floor area/
Shops, to 100m2
an internal garbage chute will need to be decided using 2:1 day
compaction ration as stated on page 6. Large supermarkets,
0.1 - 3 cubic metres / 100m2 floor area/day
Family centres
Table 1 Shopping Malls
Dependent of development. Apply
appropriate combination of factors
Number Minimum number of Minimum number of
of units garbage receptacles to be recycling containers to be Greengrocers 0.2 - 0.4 cubic metres/100m2 floor area/day
stored stored Florist/Plant shop 0.9 cubic metres/100m2 floor area/day
1-3 1 x 60L bin per unit 1 x 140L comingled mobile Butcher shop 0.9 cubic metres/100m2 floor area/day
recycling bin per unit Bakery 0.9 cubic metres/100m2 floor area/day
4-12 1 x 60L bin per unit or 2 x 240L comingled mobile 0.9 cubic metres/100m2 area/day. The
1 x 120L mobile bin shared recycling bin store shall be refrigerated so as to ensure
Fish shop
between each 2 units or all wastes are kept at a temperature not
1 x 240L mobile bin shared exceeding 4ºC
between each 4 units Catering
12+ 1 x 120L mobile bin per As a guide, generally a 0.3 - 0.6 cubic /100 meals + up to 0.15 cubic
Restaurants
every 2 units or set of metres for bottle recycling per 100 meals/day
1 x 240L mobile bin per 2 x 240L mobile bins for 0.3 - 0.6 cubic metres /100 meals + up to
every 4 units every 15 units or part Clubs 0.05 cubic metres for bottles per 100 meals/
thereof day
Office Buildings
0.01 - 0.03 cubic metres /100m2 floor area/
General Office Use
day
Industrial Premises Dependent upon industry type
Assembly Rooms
Social, Recreational or
0.6 cubic metres /100m2 floor area/day
Religious
Entertainment 0.12 cubic metres/400 seats per session

6 WASTE HANDLING GUIDE

Construction Materials
and Finish
Walls Ceilings
Walls of all garbage stores shall be of solid masonry Where provided within a fully enclosed garbage store room,
construction, and shall be cement rendered to a height of the ceiling is to be constructed of a rigid smooth faced non
1800mm or the height of any wall, whichever is the lesser. absorbent material which may include plaster board, fibrous
Alternatively walls of garbage store may be tiled with glazed cement, cement render, smooth finish off form concrete or
tiles fixed in accordance with the requirements of Australian other approved material with washable, gloss paint of a light
Standard AS 3958, and the top edge of any such tile section colour.
shall be treated in such a way as not to form a ledge upon
which dust or grease can accumulate. The intersection of the The intersection of walls and ceilings are to be tight joined,
wall to the floor shall be coved. sealed and dust proof. Drop in panel ceilings are not
permitted.
Walls of temporary holding bays need to be integrated with
the development and streetscape and adequately conceal
containers from being viewed from public places and the road.
Doors and Gates
Waste storage rooms and garbage bays shall be provided
Floors with close fitting doors or gates so as to prevent the entry of
trespassers, vermin or other animals into the area. The waste
Floors are to be constructed of materials which are storage area must not be located behind lockable security
impervious, non slip, non abrasive, resistant to chemicals, grilles/roller garage doors/gates etc, unless an additional
capable of withstanding heavy duty operation, coursing lockable door is located next to the grill/garage roller door
of steam, hot water, soap and detergent; and include etc, so that waste collectors can access the waste storage area
ceramic tiles of approved size and type properly affixed with other than through any security/roller systems. Doors/gates
impermeable cement render or similar topping over concrete, to waste storage rooms must provide a minimum clearance of
or approved material. 900mm.

The floor finish is to be smooth and even with no protrusions The waste storage room should allow sufficient area and door
that would prevent easy cleaning. It should be graded and openings for manoeuvring of containers.
drained, with the approval of the Sydney Water, to the sewer.

The intersection of the floor with the walls and any exposed Window Openings
pipes are to be coved.
Window openings shall be sufficiently protected so as to
Service access to waste storage areas must be continuous prevent the entry of animals or other vermin into the store.
paving and not contain steps or ramps with a grade steeper
than 1 in 8.

WASTE HANDLING GUIDE 7

Storage Racks Grease Arresters
Where required racks may be provided for the storage of
The installation of grease arresters within waste facilities
garbage bins and recyclable materials. They may be fixed
is permitted, provided that the area dedicated to access
or free standing, with the lower shelf 300mm above floor
hatchways is additional to the floor area requirement for the
level. Racks are to be constructed in galvanised piping, solid
garbage bays and store rooms.
flat iron, or solid flat steel, compressed fibre cement or other
approved material that are capable of easy cleaning.

Identification
Ventilation The storage area or holding bay must be adequately
signposted, with a description of storage facilities within the
Fully enclosed waste facilities must be ventilated by natural
area.
or artificial means complying with AS 1668.

Water Supply Lighting

Lighting in the waste facility room should be in accordance
Facilities must be provided to allow for the wash down of the
with AS 1680.
garbage store areas and also for the disinfection of containers
on site. Wash down water from either the floor or containers
must be disposed of in the sewer. Mobile Garbage Bins (MGBs)
It is an offence to discharge wash down water to the Bin Type 80L MGB 120L MGB 240L MGB
stormwater drainage system.
Height 935mm 960mm 1080mm
Residential Premises Depth 510mm 555mm 735mm
A cold water hose cock must be located within the waste Width 445mm 485mm 580mm
facility or nearby.

Commercial Premises
Hot and cold water hose cocks must be located within the
waste facility or nearby.

Mobile Garbage Bin

WASTE HANDLING GUIDE 8

Chutes Compactors
Chutes are only suitable for transfer of garbage, and are Compactors are used to compress the waste into smaller
unsuitable for the transfer of recyclables. Firstly, the drop collection containers. The compaction ratio is typically set at
generally results in the damage, or even destruction, of the 2:1. As a result of the 2:1 compaction ratio, the requirement
recyclable material - particularly glass. Secondly, cardboard for storage bins is halved. Higher ratios are not used as they
can become stuck in the chute and cause a fire hazard. may result in heavier collection containers, endangering
Other recyclables, such as paper and plastics are also highly workers or damaging bins. Best practice compaction systems
flammable. Having large quantities of recyclables stored at compact directly into a 240 litre mobile bin, reducing the
the bottom of a long shaft could constitute a fire hazard. need to manually load the compacted waste into the bins.

Chutes should be designed to reduce noise and fire risks Compactors require regular maintenance. In particular,
associated with their use. They should be cylindrical in systems fed from a chute can be prone to blockages or failure
section, with a diameter of 500mm or greater. of the “electronic eye”, which can result in overflowing or
backing up of the chute.
A service room (or compartment) must be provided on each
floor of the development to allow access to the garbage Rotational bag carousel
chute. Chutes must not open onto any habitable or public
space. Hopper doors are to be fitted with door closers and
with compactor
have an effective self-sealing system.

Chutes must terminate in a garbage and recycling room and

discharge directly into a container or waste compactor to
avoid spillage and overflow.

Chutes must be completely enclosed in a fire shaft

constructed of approved material and fitted with sprinklers in
accordance with the BCA. See manufacturer’s instructions for
exact specifications.

level 4

level 3

hand loading door

level 2

level 1

basement Rotational MGB carousel with compactor

WASTE HANDLING GUIDE 9

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WASTE HANDLING GUIDE

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North Sydney Council

200 Miller St, North Sydney
Ph: 9936 8100
Fax: 9936 8177
Email: [email protected]
www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au