Now recycling polystyrene at transfer stations

Published on 16 February 2026

Hepburn Shire residents can now recycle their polystyrene at Council’s three transfer stations in Creswick, Daylesford and Trentham.

The recycling trial is set to begin mid-February and will run until June 2026 when factors such as uptake, contamination and cost will be considered.

Mayor, Cr Tony Clark, said that the trial is another way Council is helping residents reduce waste to landfill.

“We’re pleased to be able to offer residents a recycling option for their polystyrene and hope we get great participation. The material can take up a lot of space in kerbside landfill (general rubbish) bins and isn’t accepted in kerbside recycling bins,” he said.

“By expanding our recycling options at transfer stations, we’re reducing our overall waste to landfill and giving residents a circular option for this tricky to recycle item,” he said.

Residents wanting to participate in the trial can recycle up to half a cubic metre (or two 240 L kerbside bins) of clean, expanded polystyrene each time they visit a transfer station.

Coloured polystyrene, peanut packaging, food trays and flat compacted polystyrene are not accepted in this trial.

The collected polystyrene will be hauled to a local processing facility in Geelong by The Mattress Recycling Company who currently also collects and recycles our mattresses. The polystyrene is heat compressed and made into a raw material that can be used to make construction and packaging items.

“Council is committed to expanding its recycling options at transfer stations to reduce waste to landfill and contribute to a circular economy,” said Cr Tony Clark.

More information on the initiative at Transfer stations.