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.

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: Kerbside before 6am on the day of collection, leave them out until 6pm the same day. Positioned on the footpath next to the kerb, handle towards the house Placed at least 50cm apart Not overfilled and the lid fully closes Not overloaded (maximum weight is 70 kilograms) Not contaminated with unaccepted items - view Council's acceptable recycling and waste items ( PDF, 0.28 MB ). You can also view our Sort My Waste page to learn more about items that belong in recycling and waste bins. Additional collection of residential waste and recycling bins can be ordered by completing the extra bin collection request form. Please note a fee of $11.50 applies per service.
Damaged or stolen bin (repair / replace)	To request repair or replacement of a damaged or stolen bin: via our online report a problem form * NOTE: place your bin on the kerb before submitting the form (for damaged bins only), or by phone 1300 69 22 47.
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 $11.50 applies per additional service. To request an additional collection service: complete the extra bin collection request
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 (Assisted bin 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.