Canberra Tip Fees 2026: Complete Guide to Disposal Costs at Mugga Lane, Mitchell and ACT Resource Management Centres — Per Tonne Rates

If you’re planning a clean-out in Canberra, the first question you’ll ask is: how much does it cost to dump rubbish at the tip? We’ve put together this complete guide to Canberra tip fees for 2026, covering every charge at Mugga Lane and Mitchell Resource Management Centres, plus the items you can drop off for free.

At Dial A Tipper, we’ve been helping Canberrans get rid of rubbish for over 10 years. Sometimes a trip to the tip makes sense. Other times, it’s cheaper and easier to get our services to do the heavy lifting — especially when you’ve got a big load, heavy items, or no ute. Give us a call on 1300 716 716 and we’ll sort it out for you from $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load, or request a free quote online.

What Are the Current Tip Fees in Canberra for 2026?

Canberra tip fees in 2026 are set by the ACT Government through the Waste Management and Resource Recovery (Fees) Determination, and are charged by vehicle/load size rather than exact weight: a small load (up to a sedan boot) costs $16.70, a medium load (sedan with trailer, ute, or wagon) costs $33.40, and a large load (ute or wagon with trailer, or sedan with caged trailer) costs $46.95. Loads of 0.5 tonne or more are charged at $117.50 per tonne. Mattresses cost $49.45 each, and standard car tyres cost $17.40 (clean, no rim) to $25.50 (dirty or with rim) at both Mitchell and Mugga Lane resource management centres.

The ACT Government sets tip fees through the Waste Management and Resource Recovery (Fees) Determination. These apply at both Mitchell and Mugga Lane Resource Management Centres, operated by REMONDIS on behalf of City Services ACT.

Here’s the full breakdown of what you’ll pay at the gate in 2026:

General Household Waste (Landfill)

Fees are set by vehicle/load size, not exact weight — the gate staff assess which category your load falls into (loads of 0.5 tonne or more are charged per tonne instead):

If you’re dumping a trailer-load of general household junk, you’re likely looking at the medium or large load rate — $33.40 to $46.95 for most single-trailer loads.

Specific Item Fees

Mattresses are charged per item regardless of size — single, double, queen, or king all cost the same $49.45. That’s because mattresses are bulky, hard to compact, and need special processing. If you’ve got multiple mattresses to get rid of, it might make more sense to call us for a mattress removal quoteinstead.

Where Are Canberra’s Resource Management Centres Located?

Canberra has two main resource management centres operated by REMONDIS on behalf of City Services ACT. Mitchell Resource Management Centre on Flemington Road is the northside facility, open 7:30 am – 5:00 pm seven days a week. Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre on Mugga Lane, Symonston is the southside facility and home to Canberra’s landfill, with its disposal yard open weekdays 7:30 am – 12:30 pm only.

Canberra has two main resource management centres where residents can drop off waste and recyclables:

Mitchell Resource Management Centre

• Address: Flemington Road, Mitchell ACT 2911
• Phone: (02) 6207 7230
• Opening hours: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm, 7 days a week
• Closed: Good Friday and Christmas Day

Mitchell is the northside facility and handles both a transfer station and recycling drop-off. It’s the busier of the two centres on weekdays.

Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre

• Address: Mugga Lane, Symonston ACT 2904
• Phone: (02) 6207 7230
• Disposal yard hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Reuse shop (Goodies Junction): 7:30 am – 4:45 pm daily
• Closed: Good Friday and Christmas Day

Mugga Lane is the southside facility and home to Canberra’s actual landfill. The disposal yard is only open weekday mornings for general waste drop-off, though Goodies Junction and recycling areas are open longer.

Hume Recycling Centre

The Materials Recycling Facility at Hume is where Canberra’s kerbside recycling gets sorted. It’s not a public drop-off point for household waste, but it’s worth knowing about — a new state-of-the-art facility operated by Veolia is being built there to increase the ACT’s recycling capacity.

What Items Can You Drop Off for Free in Canberra?

Both Mitchell and Mugga Lane resource management centres accept a long list of items completely free of charge, including e-waste (TVs, computers, monitors), whitegoods (fridges, washing machines), batteries, paint (up to 100 litres per visit), gas bottles (up to 9 kg), hazardous household waste, fluorescent tubes, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and clean recyclables. Green garden waste is also free at Mugga Lane through Corkhill Bros.

Here’s the good news: a long list of items can be dropped off at either resource management centre completely free of charge:

• E-waste — TVs, computers, monitors, printers, keyboards, cables
• Whitegoods — fridges, freezers, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers
• Hazardous household waste — chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, solvents
• Paint — up to 100 litres per visit (household quantities)
• Gas bottles — maximum 9 kg bottles (BBQ-size)
• Batteries — household, car, and lithium batteries
• Fluorescent tubes and globes
• Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers
• Clean recyclables — paper, cardboard, glass, steel/aluminium cans, rigid plastics

You can also drop off green garden waste for free at Mugga Lane through Corkhill Bros — branches, grass clippings, leaves, and other organic garden material.

If you’ve got reusable items in good condition — furniture, clothing, books, homewares, toys — donate them to Goodies Junction at either Mitchell or Mugga Lane for free. Goodies Junction is run by Vinnies and sells second-hand goods at affordable prices, keeping items out of landfill.

How Do Mattress Disposal Fees Work at Canberra Tips?

Mattress disposal at Canberra tips costs $49.45 per item at both Mitchell and Mugga Lane, regardless of size — single, double, queen, and king all attract the same fee. Clearing three old mattresses would cost $148.35 in tip fees alone, which is why Dial A Tipper’s mattress removal service across Canberra often works out cheaper when you factor in transport and your time.

Mattresses are one of the most common items people ask about. At $49.45 per mattress, getting rid of a few old beds can add up fast. Here’s what you need to know:

• The fee applies per item — single, double, queen, king, and king-single are all $49.45
• The fee covers mattresses only. Ensemble bases and bed frames are charged as general waste
• You can drop mattresses at either Mitchell or Mugga Lane

If you’ve got more than one or two mattresses, the costs stack up quickly. For example, clearing out three old mattresses from a house would cost you $148.35 in tip fees alone — and you’d still need a vehicle big enough to transport them.

That’s where we come in. Our mattress removal service handles pickup and disposal, and we can often do it for less than the combined cost of tip fees plus your time and fuel. Give us a bell on 1300 716 716 for a quick quote.

What Do Tyres Cost to Dispose of in Canberra?

Standard car tyres cost $17.40 each (clean, no rim) or $25.50 each (dirty or with rim) to dispose of at Canberra tips — so four clean tyres costs $69.60. Larger 4WD, truck, and commercial vehicle tyres attract higher rates at the gate. Tyres must be removed from rims before drop-off (or pay the higher rate), though many tyre shops include disposal in their fitting fee.

Disposing of standard car tyres at the tip costs $17.40 each if clean and without a rim, or $25.50 each if dirty or still on the rim. Larger tyres — 4WD, truck, or commercial vehicle tyres — cost more, and the exact rate depends on size. You’ll need to check at the gate for those.

A few things to keep in mind:

• The fee is per tyre, not per set — four clean tyres means $69.60
• Tyres must be removed from rims before drop-off
• Tyre shops often include disposal in their fitting fee — check before hauling old tyres to the tip yourself

When Is the Best Time to Visit Canberra’s Tips?

The best time to visit Canberra’s resource management centres is mid-week mornings (Tuesday to Thursday), which have the shortest wait times. Weekend mornings at both Mitchell and Mugga Lane are the busiest. Note that Mugga Lane’s disposal yard for general waste is only open Monday to Friday 7:30 am – 12:30 pm — for weekend landfill waste, head to Mitchell which is open 7:30 am – 5:00 pm seven days.

Timing your tip run can save you a lot of frustration. Here’s what we’ve learned from years of working with these facilities:

Avoid weekends. Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest times at both centres. Expect queues, especially at Mitchell.

Mid-week mornings are quietest. Tuesday to Thursday mornings tend to have the shortest wait times.

Mugga Lane disposal yard closes early. The general waste disposal yard is only open Monday to Friday, 7:30 am – 12:30 pm. On weekends, you can visit Goodies Junction and recycling areas, but you can’t dump landfill waste.

Public holidays. Both centres are closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. They’re open every other public holiday, though hours may be reduced.

What Is Goodies Junction and How Does It Work?

Goodies Junction is the Vinnies-operated reuse shop at both Mitchell and Mugga Lane resource management centres, replacing the former Green Shed in mid-2024. You can donate reusable items (furniture, clothing, books, homewares) for free and shop for second-hand bargains. Goodies Junction is open 7:30 am – 4:45 pm, 7 days a week, including most public holidays.

Goodies Junction is the reuse shop at both Mitchell and Mugga Lane, run by Vinnies since mid-2024 (replacing the former Green Shed).

Donating: Drop off reusable items for free — furniture, clothing, books, homewares, toys, and sporting goods. Items need to be in decent condition.

Shopping: Second-hand goods at affordable prices — a great way to find bargains on furniture, vintage items, and household goods.

Hours: 7:30 am – 4:45 pm, 7 days a week (including public holidays, except Good Friday and Christmas Day).

Locations:

• Mitchell Resource Management Centre, Flemington Road
• Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre, Mugga Lane, Symonston

Can You Use the Free Bulky Waste Collection Instead of Tipping?

Every Canberra household is entitled to one free bulky waste collection per financial year through City Services ACT, covering up to 2 cubic metres of furniture, mattresses, appliances, and household goods. Building waste, hazardous materials, car parts, tyres, and green waste are not accepted. If you have used your free collection or have more than 2 cubic metres, Dial A Tipper from $69 per load is the practical alternative.

Every Canberra household is entitled to one free bulky waste collection per financial year, covering up to 2 cubic metres of items. This is a great option if you’ve got large items that don’t fit in your bins.

You can book through the City Services website. Here’s what’s accepted:

• Furniture (couches, tables, chairs, bookshelves)
• Household appliances (not whitegoods — those go free at the tip anyway)
• Mattresses
• Small amounts of bundled carpet or timber

What’s not accepted:

• Building and construction waste
• Hazardous materials
• Car parts or tyres
• Green waste

The catch? One collection per year, 2 cubic metres max, and you need to book in advance. If you’ve already used your free collection, or you’ve got more than 2 cubic metres, you’ll need another option. That’s when it makes sense to get a quote from Dial A Tipper instead.

How Does Dial A Tipper Compare to Doing Your Own Tip Run?

For small loads with your own ute, a DIY tip run to Mitchell or Mugga Lane costs $16.70–$33.40 plus fuel. But for loads over 1 cubic metre, or when you factor in vehicle hire ($80–$150), multiple trips, and your time, Dial A Tipper from $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load — including labour, transport, and disposal — is often cheaper and always easier for Canberra households.

Let’s be honest — sometimes doing your own tip run is the way to go. If you’ve got a ute, a small amount of rubbish, and a free Saturday morning, it’s cheap as chips to drive to Mitchell and pay $16.70 or $33.40.

But here’s when calling us makes more sense:

You don’t have a vehicle. Not everyone owns a ute or trailer. Hiring one costs $80–$150, plus fuel and tip fees.

You’ve got heavy items. Old fridges, mattresses, concrete, or timber are awkward and heavy. We do the lifting.

Multiple trips needed. If your clean-out is bigger than one trailer-load, that’s hours of your weekend gone. Our 4.5 cubic metre tipper loads handle most household clean-outs in one go.

You’re time-poor. A tip run easily eats half a day. We turn up, load everything, and drive away.

Our prices start from $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load — that includes labour, transport, and disposal. No hidden costs. For a lot of Canberra households, it works out cheaper than a DIY tip run once you factor in vehicle hire, fuel, and your time.

Check our rubbish removal cost guide for a full breakdown, or explore our services in Gungahlin, Tuggeranong, and Belconnen.

What About Commercial and Construction Waste Fees?

Commercial and construction waste at Canberra tips is charged per tonne on the weighbridge, with different rates for construction and demolition materials (concrete, bricks, timber, plasterboard). Asbestos must be double-wrapped in 200-micron plastic and pre-arranged with the facility. You need an ABN or business account for commercial drop-offs at Mitchell Resource Management Centre.

If you’re a tradie, business owner, or builder, the fees differ from household rates. Commercial waste at Mitchell includes a transport charge because loads get trucked to the Mugga Lane landfill.

Key points:

• Commercial loads are weighed on the weighbridge and charged per tonne
• Construction and demolition waste (concrete, bricks, timber offcuts, plasterboard) attracts different rates
• Asbestos disposal has strict requirements — it must be double-wrapped in 200-micron plastic and pre-arranged with the facility
• You’ll need an ABN or business account for commercial drop-offs

For commercial rubbish removal, we offer tailored services. Visit our rubbish dump Canberra page or call us on 1300 716 716 to discuss your needs.

What Recycling Drop-Off Options Are Free in Canberra?

Canberra has several 24/7 recycling drop-off centres at Belconnen (Jolly Street), Gungahlin (O’Brien Place), Mitchell (Baillieu Court), Phillip (Botany Street), and Tuggeranong (Scollay Street). These accept paper, cardboard, steel/aluminium cans, rigid plastics, and glass. The ACT Container Deposit Scheme also offers a 10-cent refund per eligible drink container.

Beyond the resource management centres, Canberra has several recycling drop-off centres open 24/7. These accept paper, cardboard, steel/aluminium cans, rigid plastics, and glass bottles and jars (sharps drop-off is also available at all locations except Gungahlin).

Recycling drop-off centres are located at:

• Belconnen — Jolly Street
• Gungahlin — O’Brien Place
• Mitchell — Baillieu Court
• Phillip — Botany Street
• Tuggeranong — Scollay Street

These are free to use — just drive up, drop your recyclables in the right bins, and go.

The ACT Container Deposit Scheme offers a 10-cent refund per eligible drink container — a good way to offset some of your tip fees if you’ve been stockpiling cans and bottles.

How Can You Save Money on Canberra Tip Fees in 2026?

To save money on Canberra tip fees, separate recyclables, e-waste, whitegoods, batteries, paint, and gas bottles before you go — these are all free to drop off. Use your free annual bulky waste collection (2 m³) through City Services ACT, donate reusable items to Goodies Junction at Mitchell or Mugga Lane, drop green waste at Mugga Lane for free through Corkhill Bros, and avoid peak weekend mornings.

Here are our top tips for keeping your disposal costs down:

1. Separate before you go. Pull out recyclables, e-waste, whitegoods, batteries, paint, and gas bottles — these are all free to drop off. Only landfill waste attracts fees.
2. Use your free bulky waste collection. Book it through City Services before the end of the financial year (30 June). Don’t let it go to waste — pun intended.
3. Donate reusable items to Goodies Junction. Furniture, clothing, and household goods in decent condition can be dropped off for free at Mitchell or Mugga Lane.
4. Drop green waste at Mugga Lane for free. Corkhill Bros accepts garden waste at no charge — don’t pay landfill rates for organic material.
5. Compare DIY vs professional removal. For loads over about 1 cubic metre, or when you factor in vehicle hire and time, getting us in can be cheaper. Our rates start from $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load.
6. Avoid peak times. Weekend mornings mean queues. Go mid-week if you can.
7. Don’t mix free items with general waste. If everything’s jumbled together, you’ll be charged the general waste rate for the whole load.

Key Takeaways

• Small loads (up to a sedan boot) cost $16.70 at Canberra tips in 2026
• Medium loads (sedan with trailer, ute, or wagon) cost $33.40; large loads (ute/wagon with trailer, or sedan with caged trailer) cost $46.95
• Loads of 0.5 tonne or more are charged at $117.50 per tonne
• Mattresses are $49.45 each; standard car tyres are $17.40–$25.50 each depending on condition
• E-waste, whitegoods, batteries, paint (up to 100L), gas bottles, and hazardous waste are all free to drop off
• Green garden waste is free at Mugga Lane through Corkhill Bros
• Goodies Junction reuse shops operate at both Mitchell and Mugga Lane, open 7:30 am – 4:45 pm daily
• Mitchell RMC is open 7:30 am – 5:00 pm, 7 days; Mugga Lane disposal yard is open Mon–Fri 7:30 am – 12:30 pm only
• Both centres are closed Good Friday and Christmas Day
• Every Canberra household gets one free bulky waste collection per financial year (up to 2 m³)
• For loads over 1 m³, or when you need heavy lifting done, Dial A Tipper starts from $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to dump a trailer load at the tip in Canberra?

A standard box trailer of general household waste will cost between $33.40 (medium load — sedan with trailer, ute, or wagon) and $46.95 (large load — ute/wagon with trailer, or sedan with caged trailer). Very large or heavy loads (0.5 tonne or more) are charged at $117.50 per tonne instead — gate staff assess which category applies.

Can I dump a mattress at the tip for free in Canberra?

No. Mattress disposal costs $49.45 per item at both Mitchell and Mugga Lane Resource Management Centres. This applies to all sizes — single, double, queen, and king. You can include mattresses in your free bulky waste collection if you haven’t used it yet this financial year.

What items are free to drop off at Canberra tips?

E-waste (TVs, computers), whitegoods, batteries, paint (up to 100L), gas bottles (up to 9 kg), hazardous household waste, fluorescent tubes, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and clean recyclables are all accepted free of charge at both resource management centres.

Is Mugga Lane tip open on weekends?

The Goodies Junction reuse shop and recycling areas at Mugga Lane are open on weekends. However, the disposal yard (general waste/landfill) is only open Monday to Friday, 7:30 am – 12:30 pm. If you need to dump general waste on a weekend, head to Mitchell Resource Management Centre, which is open 7:30 am – 5:00 pm seven days a week.

How many free bulky waste collections do Canberra households get?

One free bulky waste collection per household per financial year (1 July – 30 June). The collection covers up to 2 cubic metres of items including furniture, mattresses, appliances, and household goods. Book through the City Services ACT website.

Is it cheaper to hire Dial A Tipper or go to the tip myself?

For small loads with your own ute or trailer, doing it yourself costs $16.70–$33.40 plus fuel. For larger clean-outs, or if you need to hire a vehicle, factor in $80–$150 for hire, multiple trips, and your time. Dial A Tipper starts from $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load, which includes labour, transport, and disposal — often cheaper and always easier for loads over 1 cubic metre.

Ready to Get Rid of Your Rubbish?

Don’t spend your weekend queuing at the tip. Whether you’ve got a garage full of junk, old mattresses, or a whole-house clean-out, we’re here to help.

Dial A Tipper — Canberra’s trusted rubbish removal service for over 10 years. Licensed, insured, locally operated.

📞 Call 1300 716 716 for a free, no-obligation quote
🚛 Same-day service available across Canberra
💰 From just $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load

Get a free quote | View our services | Check tip fees on City Services ACT