Verge Valet FAQs | City of Fremantle
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Verge Valet FAQs

Two City officers standing next to bulk waste verge collection

Fremantle residents can now pre-book their bulk waste verge collection with Verge Valet™ either online or over the phone by calling 1300 MY FREO (1300 693 736). 

The new service offers more flexibility for residents, convenient booking times and improved resource recovery. 

We invite you to explore the list of frequently asked questions below to help you better understand the new changes. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

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How do I book a bulk waste verge collection?

How do I book?

You can now pre-book your bulk waste verge collection either online at vergevalet.com.au or over the phone by calling 1300 MY FREO (1300 693 736)

It is recommended to book your collection as early as possible as available collection dates will be removed from the booking portal once taken.  

Presenting the waste on your verge:

There is a maximum of three cubic metres. You will be required to place this out into sections to make it easier for the contractor to separate the recyclables.

Can I cancel my collection after booking?

You can change, cancel, or postpone your booking up to one business day before your collection date. 

How many collections can I book per year?

The current entitlement of one free collection, per financial year, will be maintained.  

Residents can utilise the Fremantle Recycling Centre’s free entry passes for bulk waste, which has now been increased to six as of 1 July 2023.

You can also purchase additional bulk waste verge collections through the vergevalet.com.au website. 

What items are accepted for the pre-booked bulk waste collection?

Accepted items: Non-accepted items:
  • Air conditioners  
  • Barbecues (not gas bottles)  
  • Bicycles  
  • Bulk polystyrene  
  • Bulky toys  
  • E-waste (TVs, computers, accessories)  
  • Fencing (timber and steel only)  
  • Floor coverings (linoleum, carpet)  
  • Fridges/freezers  (doors removed)
  • Garden hoses  
  • Household furniture (no glass)  
  • Mattress/es  
  • Mattress bases  
  • Scrap metal  
  • Plant pots  
  • Small electrical goods  
  • Timber (not garden waste; max. 1.5m length)  
  • White goods (doors removed)  
  • Wire/strapping  
  • No asbestos products  
  • No batteries  
  • No building materials (brick, rubble, concrete, tiles, pavers, sand etc.)  
  • No tree prunings or garden organics.
  • No car oil or fuel  
  • No food  
  • No glass panels (tabletops, mirrors or windowpanes)  
  • No hazardous materials (flammable, toxic or corrosive liquids)  
  • No paint  
  • No dirt, soil, sand or mulch  
  • No tyres  
  • No vehicles, car bodies, or car parts  
  • Not more than 3m3 per collection booked  

Please note: Bulk waste items that are not accepted in the bulk collection may be taken to the Fremantle Recycling Centre, for example: gas bottles or chemicals for the Household Hazardous Waste facility.  

What community consultation was undertaken to change to the prebooked bulk waste verge collection service?

A better practice bulk verge collection service is an action in the City’s council-endorsed Waste Plan 2020-25. A pre-booked bulk verge collection service is considered a best practice model.

Survey

A survey was conducted between March to April 2021, with 237 submissions received:

  • 135 surveys were received through an opt-in survey advertised through social media.
  • 87 surveys were received through a sample of 1000 properties that were sent letters advising them of the survey.
  • 15 surveys were received through a paper copy of the survey offered at the Meeting Place, Fremantle Recycling Centre, Fremantle Containers for Change and the Fremantle Library.

Community Q&A session

The survey was followed by a community question and answer session where different models were presented.

Responses from the survey and Q&A highlighted issues with the scheduled service, such as illegal dumping, encouraging wastefulness, amenity, disturbances by trawlers, and not working for inner City residences.

Positives about the scheduled service were; efficient collections encourage neighbourhood reuse and prompt people to have a cleanout.

Overall, 55% of respondents felt that alternatives should be considered, with 32% mentioning a prebooked option.

Business Case

Key values highlighted in the survey and community Q&A session were presented in a business case to management in March 2022:

  • appreciated the opportunity to reuse from the verge though untidiness was an issue, and
  • more frequent collections were desired though there is an awareness that waste avoidance and diversion from landfill is best practice.

Council decision

In February 2023, Council opted for the pre-booked method of collecting bulk waste from residential properties. 

Is the garden organics verge collection service changing to a pre-booked service?

No. The bulk green organics verge collection service will remain the same. Scheduled collections will occur twice yearly (for properties outside of the Fremantle CBD area).

Residents can dispose of additional green waste in their lime green-lidded FOGO bin or utilise the Fremantle Recycling Centre for free (one trailer load per day).  

What is the difference between the new pre-booked service and the previous scheduled collection.

The pre-booked service allows you to book a bulk waste collection at a time convenient to you, year-round. You won’t have to wait for one annual scheduled collection.

You can place the same items on the kerb for collection.

Because residents receive more education before booking, there will be more recovery of items and less going to landfill. Streets will be tidier and a prebooked service reduces instances of illegal dumping.

Residents within the CBD area will now receive the service too. 

Will the pre-booked service reduce recycling or re-use of items?

No. Verge bulk waste collections are intended for items that are at their end of life.  

If you have items that can still be used, please consider your local Facebook Buy Nothing group, online selling sites like GumtreeGarage Sale It, and Facebook Marketplace, or a charity donation/collection instead. The Fremantle Recycling Centre’s Reuse Shop also accepts good quality items.  

Where possible, the materials in the bulk waste are separated and reprocessed e.g., whitegoods, metals, and e-waste.  

What happens if my property does not have a verge e.g., CBD or multi-unit development, battle-axe properties?

If you have no suitable verge or location to place bulk waste, alternative drop off locations within your property boundary will be considered. This will be determined case by case. Please liaise with your Strata, Property Manager or Council of Owners for initial advice on the most suitable on site collection location. 

Please contact the City on info@fremantle.wa.gov.au  

Will this affect any other services like my passes to the Fremantle Recycling Centre?

No. There are no changes to the bin collection service or the garden organic bulk verge collection.

Who do I contact for more information?

Please contact the City of Fremantle on info@fremantle.wa.gov.au or phone 1300 MY FREO (1300 693 736).