Bin collection & services
Bin collections
Waste bins will have either a red or a green lid (green lids are slowly being phased out) and are serviced weekly. Your recycling bin will have a yellow lid and is serviced fortnightly.
To check which day and week your bins are serviced, type in your address below.
Sign-up to the MyCairns App for weekly bin collection reminders.
If you are unable to determine your property's collection day, contact Customer Service on 1300 69 22 47.
Find my bin day
Enter your home address to find out details about your property and facilities near you.
To make sure your bin is collected, there's a few things you need to do:
- position the bin before 6am on the day of collection (6am - 6pm)
- place the bin on the footpath next to the kerb, handle towards the house
- ensure waste and recycling bins are placed at least 50cm apart
- do not overfill bins, the lid must close fully
- do not overload the bin (maximum weight is 70 kilograms)
- no hazardous waste (flares, batteries, gas bottles)
Please note household recyclables, household hazardous waste, and items for the Buy Back Shop can be taken directly to Council's transfer stations for FREE.
To report a missed bin collection visit our report a missed bin collection page.
If your bin has been lost, stolen or damaged you can request a new or replacement bin.
Repair/Replace Bin Request
Waste bins are for general household waste only and recyclable packaging waste must be placed in the yellow lid recycling bin. Please make sure to keep out hot ash, chemicals and solvents, syringes and needles from all bins.
View our A-Z of Waste for a full list of what belongs in what bin.
Download Council’s Pantry Card or pick up your free recycle right fridge magnet or printed resources at Council customer service, Cairns Libraries Branches or transfer stations.
Council provides a range of options to the community when it comes to bin collection services.
| Missed bin collection | To report a missed collection phone Customer Service: by phone 1300 69 22 47 within 24 hours of the missed service. Ensure bin/s are:
Additional collection of residential waste and recycling bins can be ordered by completing the extra bin collection request form. Please note a fee of $10.50 applies per service. |
| Damaged or stolen bin (repair / replace) | To request repair or replacement of a damaged or stolen bin:
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| Additional collection of residential waste and recycling bins | If you did not put your residential 240 litre waste and recycling bins out or you need an extra collection outside of your normal bin day (weekdays only), you can request an additional collection. A fee of only $10.50 applies per additional service. To request an additional collection service:
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| Additional cleansing service | This service can only be requested by the property owner. It is a combined service of an additional general waste bin and recycling bin, usually for a long-term arrangement. Fees apply for the additional cleansing service, charged on the rates notice. To apply, the property owner must contact Customer Service on 1300 69 22 47. |
Infirm service |
Council provides an Infirm Service to residents who are physically incapable of placing their wheelie bins out for collection and have no able-bodied person living with them. The waste collection contractor will enter the resident's property to collect the bins and return them after servicing FREE
of charge. In order to apply, an infirm service application form will need to be completed by a medical professional (GP, occupational therapist, health care professional or nursing agent). There is no additional cost for the infirm service; it is covered under the annual cleansing charge on the property. |
| Home dialysis patients |
Council offers a FREE additional recycling bin to home dialysis patients (for dialysis packaging) at the patient’s residential property. The collection day for the additional bin will remain in line with the already established recycling bin collection day. If there is no kerbside recycling service
available at the residence due to truck accessibility issues (i.e. rural lots) and/or availability of site storage, the free additional recycling bin will not apply. A written letter from the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service is required to apply for this service. |
| Recycling at multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) | MUD properties are entitled to a recycling collection service as part of their Council rates. Recycling service conditions are the same as household collections. If recycling bins can be accommodated on site, Council will work with Body Corporates to arrange for services to be implemented. To receive a service, body corporate and resident managers need to contact Council on 1300 69 22 47 to assess the complex for recycling entitlements, site layout and accessibility for collection vehicles. |
| Business recycling service | Council offers information on waste and recycling in business including details on collection services, co-mingled recyclables, costs and government support. |
Ever wondered what happens to that milk bottle or aluminium can once placed in the recycling bin? Does everything placed in waste bins go straight to landfill, or is organic material recovered and recycled first? Find out more about the journey of waste and recycling here in the Cairns region by viewing our what happens to my waste page. You can also book a tour of our facilities by visiting our waste education page.
Last Updated: 2 April 2024
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