Man and woman charged over body found in Melbourne bin

A man and woman have been charged over an alleged murder after a body was found in a wheelie bin in a Melbourne suburb.

A council worker discovered the body of Ashley Phillips as he was emptying a bin at the intersection of Young and Butler streets in Preston about 8am on May 27.

The bin, which does not belong to any residents on the street, was on a nature strip for more than 24 hours before it was collected.

The council worker watched on his TV monitor as the 44-year-old's body dropped into the back of the garbage truck.

Police are yet to describe the condition of the body or release any details about how he may have died.

Mr Phillips was found wearing a t-shirt featuring Korean pop band Big Bang.

Friend Troy Maggs said he was "devastated" by the death of his friend, and he would be "sadly missed".

"He was the nicest, most giving man I know," he said on Facebook.

"I'll always cherish our time together and the memories we shared, you were more then a mate, you were my brother."

Cousin of the allegedly murdered man Kaz Jessie McGinnis said "heart & prayers goes out to his mother."

On Thursday, police charged a 35-year-old Preston man with murder and a 26-year-old Preston woman with being an accessory to murder.

Both are set to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court tomorrow.