Brisbane

♻️

Waste and Recycling

Information on Brisbane City Council's waste management, recycling systems, and scheduled bin collections.

Sections

1. Categories of Waste

Brisbane categorizes waste into several types to streamline disposal and recycling:

a. General Waste (Red Lid Bin)

  • What it includes: Non-recyclable household waste such as food scraps, nappies, broken ceramics, and plastic bags.
  • What it excludes: Recyclables, green waste, hazardous materials, and e-waste.

b. Recycling (Yellow Lid Bin)

  • What it includes:
    • Paper and cardboard (e.g., newspapers, magazines, cereal boxes)
    • Glass bottles and jars (rinsed)
    • Plastic containers and bottles (rinsed, with lids removed)
    • Aluminium and steel cans
  • What it excludes: Soft plastics, polystyrene, food waste, and hazardous materials.

c. Green Waste (Optional Green Lid Bin)

  • What it includes:
    • Grass clippings
    • Leaves
    • Branches (under 10 cm in diameter and 50 cm in length)
    • Garden prunings
  • What it excludes: Food scraps, soil, rocks, and treated timber.

d. Bulky Waste

  • Includes large household items like furniture, mattresses, and white goods (e.g., fridges, washing machines). These are collected during scheduled kerbside collection events or can be dropped off at designated facilities.

e. Hazardous Waste

  • Includes chemicals, batteries, paint, gas bottles, and e-waste (e.g., computers, TVs). These must be disposed of at specific drop-off points.

f. Construction and Demolition Waste

  • Includes materials like concrete, bricks, and tiles. These are not collected via regular bins and must be taken to specialized facilities.

2. Associated Costs

  • General Waste and Recycling Bins: The cost of waste collection is included in your rates (property taxes) if you are a homeowner. Tenants typically do not pay directly for this service.
  • Green Waste Bin:
    • Optional service.
    • Costs approximately $23.36 per quarter (as of 2023).
    • A one-time establishment fee of $30 applies.
  • Bulky Waste Disposal: Free during scheduled kerbside collection events. Otherwise, fees apply at waste transfer stations.
  • Hazardous Waste and E-Waste: Free disposal at designated drop-off points for most items.

3. Local Procedures for Proper Waste Disposal

Brisbane City Council has clear guidelines to ensure waste is disposed of correctly:

a. Bin Placement and Usage

  • Place bins on the kerb by 5:30 AM on collection day.
  • Ensure the bin lid is fully closed.
  • Leave at least 30 cm between bins and ensure they are at least 1 metre away from obstacles like parked cars or trees.

b. Recycling Guidelines

  • Rinse all recyclable items to remove food residue.
  • Do not bag recyclables; place them loose in the yellow lid bin.
  • Flatten cardboard boxes to save space.

c. Green Waste

  • Only garden waste is allowed in the green lid bin. Contaminated bins (e.g., with food scraps) will not be collected.

d. Hazardous Waste

  • Drop off hazardous waste at designated facilities (see below for locations).
  • Do not place hazardous waste in any bin.

e. Bulky Waste

  • During kerbside collection events, place items neatly on the kerb no earlier than the weekend before the scheduled collection week.

4. Pickup Scheduling

  • General Waste (Red Lid Bin): Weekly collection.
  • Recycling (Yellow Lid Bin): Fortnightly collection.
  • Green Waste (Green Lid Bin): Fortnightly collection (if subscribed).
  • Kerbside Collection for Bulky Waste: Scheduled annually for each suburb. Check the Brisbane City Council website or contact them for specific dates.

5. Recycling and Waste Disposal Facilities

Brisbane has several waste transfer stations and recycling facilities where residents can drop off items that cannot be collected via regular bins.

a. Waste Transfer Stations

These facilities accept general waste, green waste, recyclables, and some hazardous materials. Locations include:

  1. Chandler Waste Transfer Station
    Address: 728 Tilley Road, Chandler
    Hours: 6:30 AM – 5:45 PM daily

  2. Nudgee Waste Transfer Station
    Address: 1402 Nudgee Road, Nudgee
    Hours: 6:30 AM – 5:45 PM daily

  3. Willawong Waste Transfer Station
    Address: 360 Sherbrooke Road, Willawong
    Hours: 6:30 AM – 5:45 PM daily

  4. Ferny Grove Waste Transfer Station
    Address: Upper Kedron Road, Ferny Grove
    Hours: 6:30 AM – 5:45 PM daily

b. Resource Recovery Centres

These centres focus on recycling and reusing items. They are located at the same addresses as the waste transfer stations.

c. E-Waste Drop-Off Points

Brisbane residents can drop off e-waste for free at designated locations, including the above waste transfer stations.

6. Local Regulations and Considerations

  • Illegal Dumping: Dumping waste in unauthorized areas is illegal and can result in fines of up to $10,000.
  • Bin Contamination: If incorrect items are placed in recycling or green waste bins, the bin may not be collected, and repeated contamination can result in fines.
  • Soft Plastics: These cannot be placed in the yellow lid bin. Instead, they can be dropped off at REDcycle bins located in major supermarkets (e.g., Coles and Woolworths).
  • Composting and Worm Farms: Brisbane City Council encourages residents to compost food scraps at home. Subsidies for compost bins and worm farms are available through the council’s WasteSMART program.

7. Tips for Visitors and New Residents

  • Understand Bin Days: Check your property’s bin collection schedule using the Brisbane City Council’s online tool or by contacting them directly.
  • Participate in Recycling: Brisbane has a strong recycling culture. Familiarize yourself with what can and cannot be recycled.
  • Use Public Bins: When out and about, use the public bins provided in parks and streets. Many public bins are also divided into general waste and recycling.
  • Stay Updated: Regulations and services may change. Visit the Brisbane City Council website for the latest information.

8. Contact Information

For further assistance or inquiries:

By following these guidelines, you can ensure proper waste disposal and contribute to Brisbane’s sustainability efforts. Let me know if you need further clarification or additional details!