General Waste Bins: What They’re Really Meant For and How to Avoid Common Mistakes

by Ausko Pte Ltd March 27, 2025

We all use them—those trusty general waste bins scattered throughout our streets and tucked away under our kitchen sinks. But have you ever stopped to think about what they're really meant for? Believe it or not, using these bins correctly plays a crucial role in proper waste disposal and minimising our environmental impact.

In this article, we’ll dive into their purpose, explore what should (and shouldn’t) go into them, and share tips on how to dispose of your waste more responsibly.

What Are General Waste Bins Really For?

In essence, general waste bins are designed to collect non-recyclable and non-hazardous waste. Think food scraps, non-recyclable packaging, and other everyday items that can’t be recycled.

However, it's important to remember that these rubbish bins aren't made of magic. Throwing the wrong things in them can cause problems for waste disposal facilities and ultimately harm the environment.

Types of Waste to Keep Out of General Waste Bins

1. Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste, including flammable liquids, chemicals, and cleaning products, can pose serious risks to people and the environment if thrown into a general waste bin. When mixed in with regular rubbish and sent to landfills, these substances can leach harmful toxins into the soil and groundwater, causing long-term contamination. You can ensure safe, eco-friendly disposal by contacting a licensed toxic industrial waste (TIW) disposal company, which specialises in handling these materials responsibly.

2. Electronic Waste

Old gadgets like smartphones, laptops, and TVs contain materials that can be harmful to both the environment and people. For example, many electronics contain toxic chemicals like mercury and lead, which can leak into the ground if not disposed of properly. Moreover, many electronics have parts that can be recycled.

Fortunately, in Singapore, there are numerous e-waste recycling programmes and dedicated collection points where you can drop off your unwanted electronics for proper recycling.

3. Recyclables

This one might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how often recyclables end up in the wrong bin. Recyclable materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal can become contaminated when mixed with non-recyclable waste like food residue. When this happens, those materials can’t be processed correctly, and they end up in the landfill instead of being recycled.

To make the most out of your recycling efforts, separate recyclables from general waste, ensure they’re clean, and place them in a dedicated recycling bin. Be sure to check and follow local recycling guidelines to ensure you’re sorting your waste correctly.

4. Bulky Items

Bulky items like furniture and appliances cannot be effectively managed in general waste bins, and may even clog up the system and cause problems for waste collectors. Luckily, there are other ways to dispose of them. You can contact the public waste collector (PWC) serving your estate or reach out to any licensed waste collector listed by the NEA.

Also, if the item is still in decent condition, consider donating it or repurposing it. Giving things away instead of throwing them out can help reduce waste while benefitting others.

Dispose Smartly, Live Sustainably

General waste bins are vital to keeping our surroundings clean and organised, but they’re not meant for everything. By keeping hazardous waste, electronics, recyclables, and bulky items out of the bin, you help reduce contamination, support recycling efforts, and protect the environment.

At Ausko, we are dedicated to promoting sustainable waste disposal practices in Singapore. Let us help you manage your waste responsibly so that together we can keep our communities clean and green.