Canberra has two ACT Government resource management centres — commonly called the tip — at Mugga Lane in Symonston and Mitchell in the north. Both are run by REMONDIS on behalf of ACT NoWaste, open 7:30am to 5:00pm seven days a week, and EFTPOS only (no cash). Standard residential fees in 2025-26 range from $16.70 for a sedan boot load to $46.95 for a ute and trailer under 0.5 tonnes, with heavier loads charged at $117.50 per tonne at the weighbridge for ACT residents ($201.50 per tonne for non-ACT residents). Many items drop off free — e-waste, white goods, batteries, green waste at Mugga Lane, and asbestos under 250 kilograms. If you’d rather skip the trip, the queue, and the weighbridge, Dial A Tipperloads a 4.5 cubic metre tipper from $69, Canberra-wide, same day — call 1300 110 638 for a free quote.
What Are the Canberra Resource Management Centres?
The Canberra resource management centres are the two ACT Government-operated tips where you can drop off items that don’t belong in your household wheelie bins. The first is Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre at Mugga Lane, Symonston ACT 2609, in the Tuggeranong area south of the lake. The second is Mitchell Resource Management Centre at Flemington Road, Mitchell ACT 2911, in the Gungahlin area north of the lake.
Both centres are run by REMONDIS Australia on behalf of ACT NoWaste, which sits within the ACT Government City and Environment Directorate. They open 7:30am to 5:00pm, seven days a week, and close only on Good Friday and Christmas Day. The general phone line for both centres is 13 73 73. For commercial asbestos appointments, dial 02 6270 7700 at least two business days ahead.
ACT Government policy targets 75 percent resource recovery by 2025 and 90 percent by 2030, which is exactly why the tips accept so many waste streams for free — sorting your load at home saves you money at the gate.
Mugga Lane vs Mitchell: Which Tip Is Closer?
Your closest tip depends on which side of the lake you live on. Mugga Lane is the southside tip and the natural choice for Woden, Weston Creek, the Inner South, Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, and Tuggeranong suburbs. Mitchell is the northside tip and the better option for Belconnen, the Inner North, Gungahlin, and Hall.
Both centres have weighbridges, so any registered vehicle is welcome. One important rule: Mitchell does not accept trucks over 4.5 tonnes GVM — anything bigger gets referred to Mugga 2 Quarry. If you drive a dual-cab ute with a caged trailer, you can use either tip, but the closest one will save you time on the M1 or Tuggeranong Parkway.
Mugga Lane has more on-site facilities: an active landfill, the transfer station, the Corkhill Brothers green waste recycling area, the Goodies Junction reuse shop, and the asbestos disposal yard. Mitchell has the Resource Recovery Facility and the transfer station, but no landfill and no green waste drop-off. If you’ve got a trailer load of branches, soil, or commercial asbestos, Mugga Lane is the only option.
Canberra Tip Fees 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown
Canberra tip fees in 2025-26 are based on your vehicle size and load weight. For residential loads under 0.5 tonnes, the fee depends on what you’re driving. For commercial loads or anything over 0.5 tonnes, you go across the weighbridge and pay per tonne. All fees are GST inclusive.
Small, Medium and Large Load Fees (Residential Under 0.5t)
ACT residential households (with proof of ACT address) pay the following fees for loads under 0.5 tonnes, effective 1 July 2025. Non-ACT residents pay 0.5t+ loads at the much higher rate of $201.50/tonne (Item 1.2 below).
| Load Type | Fee | What Counts |
|---|---|---|
| Small load (sedan boot, under 0.5 t) | $16.70 | A typical boot-only trip |
| Medium load (utility, wagon, or sedan with single-axle trailer, under 0.5 t) | $33.40 | A ute, station wagon, or single-axle trailer |
| Large load (utility or wagon with trailer, or sedan with caged trailer, under 0.5 t) | $46.95 | A dual-axle trailer or caged trailer |
| Heavy load (0.5 t and over, ACT residential) | $117.50 per tonne | Weighbridge fee, Item 1.1 |
| Heavy load (0.5 t and over, non-ACT residential) | $201.50 per tonne | Weighbridge fee, Item 1.2 |
These figures come from the ACT Government Waste Management and Resource Recovery Fees Disallowable Instrument, effective 1 July 2025. If your load comes in at 0.5 tonnes or more on the weighbridge, you’ll be charged per tonne instead. If the weighbridge is out of service, the small/medium/large load fees above still apply (Part 5 of the schedule).
Heavy and Commercial Loads (0.5t+)
For commercial and trade loads, fees depend on waste type and tonnage, per Part 3 of the fees schedule:
- Commercial/industrial waste under 0.25 tonnes: $51.65 per load (Item 3.1)
- Commercial/industrial waste 0.25 tonnes or more: $203.55 per tonne (Item 3.2)
- Mixed commercial/industrial waste with more than 50% recyclable material(paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, garden waste, bricks, metal, concrete): $385.20 per tonne (Item 6.2)
- Truck landfill fee (any form of truck including trailer) when the weighbridge is offline: $203.55 per load (Item 5.4)
Domestic clean soil and clean concrete or bricks weighing 0.5 tonnes or more are charged at $81.35 per tonne (Items 2.1 and 2.2). If you’ve got a trailer load of construction rubble or a large furniture clearance, the weighbridge fee is unavoidable. Phone 13 73 73 before you load to confirm the fee band for your waste type.
Mattresses, Tyres and Special Items
Mattresses, tyres, and other special items have their own fees, separate from your load fee, per the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Fees Disallowable Instrument effective 1 July 2025:
| Item | Tip Drop-Off Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress or mattress base | $49.45 | Drop-off at Mitchell or Mugga transfer stations (Item 1.8) |
| Bulky waste mattress collection (door-to-door) | $44.90 | Pickup from your home via ACT NoWaste (admin fee, slightly cheaper than tip drop-off) |
| Tyres, clean, no rim (light vehicles) | $17.40 per tyre | Item 1.6; appointment required for 10+ tyres |
| Tyres, dirty or with rim (light vehicles) | $25.50 per tyre | Item 1.7; appointment required for 10+ tyres |
| Tyres, commercial vehicles (>0.25 t total) | $1,159 per tonne | Item 6.3; appointment required for 10+ tyres |
| Domestic clean concrete/bricks (0.5 t+) | $81.35 per tonne | Sorted clean only, Item 2.2 |
| Domestic clean soil (0.5 t+) | $81.35 per tonne | No organics, sorted clean, Item 2.1 |
Mattresses dropped off at the tip cost $49.45 each, but if you can’t transport a mattress yourself, ACT NoWaste will pick it up from your kerb for $44.90 per mattress or base — door-to-door is actually slightly cheaper than tip drop-off for mattresses. If neither option suits, our Canberra mattress disposal service does the lot for you, from kerb to tip.
What Can You Drop Off Free?
Plenty of items drop off free at both tips, and there are also five 24/7 recycling drop-off centres around Canberra where you can leave sorted recyclables at any hour of the day or night.
Mugga Lane Free Drop-Off (Corkhill, Goodies Junction, E-Waste)
Mugga Lane runs three free drop-off streams on site. Corkhill Brothers operates the green waste recycling area — drop off any garden waste, branches, leaves, and grass clippings for free (oversized loads over 200mm diameter cost $120/tonne via the weighbridge, and commercial vehicle fees apply for trucks). The Goodies Junction reuse shop accepts reusable items for resale at discounted prices (think furniture, bikes, and working small appliances). E-waste — TVs, computers, monitors, laptops, mobile phones, printers — is free. White goods (fridges, freezers, washing machines, ovens) are free. Hazardous household waste including batteries, paint, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, and household chemicals is free. Household recyclables (glass bottles and jars, aluminium and steel cans, plastic bottles and containers) are free at Mugga Lane only.
Mitchell Free Drop-Off (E-Waste, Scrap Metal, Asbestos)
Mitchell runs the same free streams for e-waste, white goods, batteries, and hazardous waste, plus scrap metal. Mitchell also accepts small amounts of domestic asbestos for free (under 250 kilograms, double-wrapped, under 80cm x 80cm per package). Crucially, Mitchell does not accept garden waste, commercial asbestos, commercial tyres, contaminated soil, liquid waste, or putrescible food waste — those go to Mugga Lane or Mugga 2 Quarry.
24/7 Recycling Drop-Off Centres
If you’re just dropping off sorted household recycling — glass jars and bottles, aluminium and steel cans, paper, and flattened cardboard — there are five unstaffed drop-off points open 24/7 across Canberra. This free recycling option complements our ACT e-waste recycling guide for anything with a plug, battery, or cord.
- Belconnen: Jolly Street
- Gungahlin: 3 O’Brien Place
- Mitchell: 22-26 Baillieu Circuit
- Phillip: 38 Botany Street
- Tuggeranong: Scollay Street
These are free, no questions asked, and you can pull in at midnight if that’s when you’re passing by. They don’t take general rubbish — just clean, sorted recyclables.
Asbestos Disposal: Free for Households, Appointment for Commercial
Both tips accept small amounts of domestic asbestos for free, but the rules are strict. The asbestos yard at Mugga Lane is open 7:30am to 12:30pm, Monday to Friday only. Material must be double-wrapped and sealed in heavy-duty plastic, with no package larger than 80cm x 80cm, and the total load must be under 250 kilograms (Item 4.1, 4.2 of the fees schedule). Identify the packages to the facility operators at the weighbridge on arrival.
If your load is bigger than 250 kilograms total, or any single package is larger than 80cm x 80cm, it counts as commercial and is charged at $57.50 per load (under 0.25 tonnes) or $228.55 per tonne (0.25 tonnes and over). Commercial asbestos is accepted at Mugga Lane only, by appointment — call 02 6270 7700 at least two business days ahead. You also need to submit the Application to Dispose of Asbestos (Form 013-HSEQ-FO-002) before delivery.
For more on safe asbestos handling in the ACT, see the Worksafe ACT asbestos page.
How to Pay: EFTPOS Only, No Cash at Either Tip
Both tips accept debit or credit card only — no cash. Bring your card or use your phone’s tap-to-pay. If you’re running a business account, you can apply for an ACT NoWaste credit account for $108.15, but most one-off residential drop-offs just need a tap.
Skip the Tip Run — When Full-Service Saves Money
Here’s a question worth asking before you load the ute: is the tip actually cheaper than getting someone to do it for you? A small sedan boot load at the gate costs $16.70, but factor in the half-hour drive to Mugga Lane or Mitchell, the queue at the weighbridge, the loading and unloading time, and the fuel, and a single trip can easily chew up 90 minutes of your weekend. Once you’re at the large-load band ($46.95), the gap shrinks further.
Dial A Tipper charges from $69 for a 4.5 cubic metre tipper load — that holds roughly three to four cubic metres of bulky household waste, a kitchen strip-out, or a garage cleanout. We send a tipper to your driveway, two guys load it for you, and the load is gone before lunch. No trip, no queue, no weighbridge. You can book a same-day collection in Canberra by calling 1300 110 638, and you’ll get a free quote in under a minute. If you need a price comparison, our guide to rubbish removal costs in Canberra breaks down what a tipper costs versus skip bins versus multiple DIY trips, and our cheap rubbish removal Canberra page shows how full-service often beats the tip on price once you add up fuel, time, and queue.
For most people, the tipping point is two cubic metres or more of bulky waste. Below that, the sedan-boot fee and 30 minutes of effort make sense. Above that, full-service usually wins on time, even at a similar price. See our bulky waste collection page for the items we handle most often.
Hours, Closures and What to Bring
Both tips open 7:30am to 5:00pm, seven days a week, and close only on Good Friday and Christmas Day. Public holidays otherwise run on normal hours. Peak queue times are Saturday morning and Sunday after 11am — if you want a quick trip, aim for a weekday before 10am or after 3pm.
What to bring:
- A registered vehicle (no bikes, e-scooters, or pedestrians on the weighbridge)
- Closed-in shoes — no sandals or thongs
- Your debit or credit card (no cash)
- Gloves and protective clothing if you’re handling hazardous or bulky items
- Children and pets must stay in the vehicle
- No mobile phones or headphones in the active waste areas
CCTV is in operation at both centres, and the 15 km/h speed limit is enforced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment to drop off waste?
No appointment is needed for standard household waste, e-waste, white goods, batteries, or any other free drop-off stream. You only need an appointment for commercial asbestos, which is accepted at Mugga Lane only — call 02 6270 7700 at least two business days ahead and submit the asbestos disposal form.
Can I take my ute and trailer to either tip?
Yes, both tips accept utes, station wagons, and any registered vehicle with a trailer. The fee depends on the loaded weight: under 0.5 tonnes is a flat medium or large load fee, and 0.5 tonnes or more goes across the weighbridge. Mitchell has a 4.5 tonne GVM truck limit — anything larger is referred to Mugga 2 Quarry.
What’s the difference between Mugga Lane and Mitchell?
Mugga Lane is the southside tip in Symonston (Tuggeranong area) and is the bigger facility with the active landfill, transfer station, Corkhill Brothers green waste area, Goodies Junction reuse shop, and the asbestos yard. Mitchell is the northside tip with a Resource Recovery Facility and transfer station but no landfill. Mugga Lane accepts garden waste and commercial asbestos; Mitchell does not. Both accept the same household waste, e-waste, white goods, batteries, and small domestic asbestos for free.
Can I drop off green waste for free?
Yes, at Mugga Lane only, via the Corkhill Brothers green waste recycling area. Mitchell does not accept garden waste — it gets referred to Mugga 2 Quarry. The five 24/7 recycling drop-off centres around Canberra also accept paper, cardboard, glass, and cans for free, but not garden waste.
Do I need a Canberra address to use the tips?
The two resource management centres are operated by ACT NoWaste and are intended for ACT residents. There’s no ID check at the gate, but commercial loads and large amounts of waste may attract scrutiny. If you’re a Sydney or regional NSW resident with a similar load, Dial A Tipper covers Sydney metro as well — call 1300 110 638 for a quote. For a detailed look at the common pitfalls (sorting, sizing, restricted items), see our rubbish removal mistakes guide.
Need a hand getting rid of bulky rubbish, green waste, or a full house cleanout? Dial A Tipper is Canberra-born, fully licensed and insured, and has been clearing rubbish across the ACT for over 10 years. We load it, we take it, and we sort and recycle what we can so less goes to landfill. Call 1300 110 638 for a free quote — same-day tipper loads from $69, Canberra-wide. Browse our full services menu, check pricing in our rubbish disposal guide, or request a quote online to lock in a time. For environmentally responsible disposal options, see our eco-friendly waste disposal page.