This month, a Glen Waverley resident said he saw a garbage truck collecting both recycled and general waste at the same time.

The resident made a complaint about the truck collecting both bins in his street to Monash Council and radio station 3AW.

Last week, he was awaiting an explanation from the council.

"If it's happening as a general principle, I do object to the extra charge we have for recycling and rubbish bins.

"I think it's important the service gives the right service for which they're charging - it's a normal retail selling principle.''

Monash Mayor Paul Klisaris said the "simultaneous'' collection should not have happened.

"Our contractors Cleanaway have assured us that their drivers are fully aware of the system we have in place. "In light of the complaint, we have asked them to investigate this matter further.''

He said the council had received one such complaint this year, and Monash was ranked third in Victoria for its recycling rate (56 per cent - 11 per cent higher than the state average).

"This excellent result has been achieved through the system council has put in place to reduce the volume of waste going to landfill, and the efforts of Monash residents to separate their rubbish, recycling and green waste into the correct bins provided,'' Cr Klisaris said.

He said the Springvale recycling depot, where Monash's recyclable waste was disposed, cleared contaminated waste from the recycled waste.

"Volume levels of recyclables have steadily increased since recycling began in 2000 from around 10,000 tonnes per annum to almost 18,000 tonnes in the past financial year.''