Free waste drop off

Did you know you can drop off many common household waste & recycling items for FREE at Council's Transfer Stations?

Browse or search the large list of free drop off items below.

Item	Description
Aluminium foil (clean)	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Aluminium cans	Aluminium packaging including soft drink cans, clean pet food tins, foil & pie trays are free to drop off at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Balloon helium gas canisters	Gas bottles up to 9kgs only can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. BOC and Air Liquide bottles are not accepted and should be returned to suppliers
Batteries (household)	Domestic quantities up to 5kgs can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. Free drop off points are also located at Cairns Libraries.
Batteries (car, lead acid batteries)	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Books	If in good condition drop off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations or donate to a charity or other community group
Bottles (Hard Plastic)	Hard Plastic Bottles & Containers can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations or donated to a charity or other community group through the Containers For Change Program. Please remove all lids.
Bottles (Glass)	Glass bottles and jars can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. Please remove all lids.
Boxes (cardboard)	Clean cardboard can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations
Bricks	Take to Portsmith and Smithfield Transfer Stations. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB )
Car parts	Car parts made predominately of metal are free to dispose at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations as scrap metal - all fluids must be drained
Cardboard	Clean cardboard and paper items can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. Offering for domestic customers only.
Cartridges (printer/toner)	Take your used printer cartridges (Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, Konica Minolta, Kyocera, Lexmark, Roland, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba & Dell only) for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Station as a part of the Cartridges for Planet Ark specialist recycling program
CD & DVD cases	If in good condition drop off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations
CD & DVD discs	Dispose in your waste bin if unusable. If in good condition drop off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations or consider donating good condition authentic albums & software to charity groups. Unauthorised music/software discs can be recycled via specialist recycling programs such as Terracycle Zero Waste Boxes. Broken discs can be disposed in your waste bin
Cereal boxes	Clean cardboard can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Chemicals (domestic)	Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment
China / ceramics / crockery	If in good condition these items can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations
Cigarette packets	Remove the outer plastic and inner foil (placing in the waste red lid bin) before placing the cardboard box into your yellow lid bin, clean cardboard can also be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Clothing, fabrics & shoes	If in good condition drop off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations or donate to a charity or other community group
Coat hangers	If in good condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations
Computers, components, accessories	Take up to 15 items for free (per visit) to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations as a part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme
Containers (plastic)	Comingled recycling can also be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale or Babinda Transfer Stations
Cosmetic jars (plastic)	Clean plastic jars larger than a credit card size can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale or Babinda Transfer Stations. Smaller items & those made from ceramic/glass must be disposed in your waste bin. Alternatively beauty products can also be recycled via specialist recycling programs such as Terracycle Zero Waste Boxes.
Egg cartons	Clean cardboard can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations
Electrical appliances	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB )
Envelopes (with/without windows)	Clean paper & cardboard can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Fats (household) oils and grease	Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment & recycling
Fire extinguishers	Fire extinguishers up to 9kgs only can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale or Babinda Transfer Stations. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB )
Garden/green waste	Council offers 4 free green waste events per year, the 9 day events cover 2 weekends held in late February, May, August and November annually. Dates and locations are advertised on the CRC What's On page, Facebook, My Cairns App, and in "Council In Action" in The Cairns Post and Innisfail Advocate prior to each free disposal period. Outside of free green waste offerings, charges apply for disposal. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB )
Furniture	If in reusable condition items can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. If unusable fees and charges may apply. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB )
Gas bottles	Gas bottles up to 9kgs only can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. BOC and Air Liquide bottles are not accepted and should be returned to suppliers.
Glass bottles & jars (no lids)	Clean glass bottles and jars can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Hose - garden hose, piping	If in good condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations
Ice cream containers (clean)	Clean hard plastic containers can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Ipads, Ipods, Iphones	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Juice cartons (no lids)	Clean juice cartons can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Junk mail	Clean paper & cardboard can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Light bulbs & tubes	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. Wrap small quantities of other types and dispose in your waste bin
Linen - Towels, bedding, curtains	If in good condition drop off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations or donate to a charity or other community group
Long life cartons - juice & milk (no lids)	Clean juice cartons can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Magazines	Clean paper & cardboard can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Margarine containers (clean)	Clean hard plastic containers can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Meat trays - plastic (clean)	Clean hard plastic containers can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Milk bottles (no lids)	Clean hard plastic containers can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Milk cartons	Clean paper & cardboard can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Mirror glass	If damaged place smaller quantities in your waste bin or take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for disposal to landfill. Fees apply. If unbroken framed mirror glass/vanity can be accepted free. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB )
Mobile phones & accessories	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling as a part of Mobile Muster. Alternatively find your nearest drop off location at Mobile Muster drop off locations in Cairns
Motor oil (domestic)	Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment & recycling
Motor oil containers (rinsed)	Rinsed oil plastic & metal containers can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Newspaper	Clean paper & cardboard can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Oil - motor & cooking (domestic)	Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment & recycling
Paint & paint containers	Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment & recycling. Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale Transfer Stations are also drop off locations for Paintback scheme
Paper - office, flyers, brochures	Clean paper & cardboard can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Pet food tins	Clean packaging items (aluminium, steel & hard plastic) can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Pizza boxes (clear off scraps)	Clean paper & cardboard can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Plant cuttings & pruning	Council offers 4 free green waste events per year, the 9 day events cover 2 weekends held in late February, May, August and November annually. Dates and locations are advertised on the CRC What's On page, Facebook, My Cairns App, and in "Council In Action" in The Cairns Post and Innisfail Advocate prior to each free disposal period. Outside of free green waste offerings, charges apply for disposal. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB )
Plant pots - plastic (clean)	If in good condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations, also consider donating to a charity organisation. Note, the reusable/recyclable condition of items is determined at the time of entry by the transfer station attendants. Fees may apply for items that do not meet condition criteria
Poppers & other tetra packs	Clean packaging items (poppers & other tetra packs) can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Power cables	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. Alternatively, dispose in your waste bin
Power tools	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for repurposing. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB )
Pool chemicals	Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment
Punnets (clean)	Clean hard plastic containers (such as punnets) can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Rope	If in good condition take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB )
Scrap metal	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Shampoo bottles (no lids)	Clean hard plastic bottles & containers can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Soft drink bottles & cans (no lids)	Clean hard plastic bottles & containers can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Solvents	Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment & recycling
Steel cans & tins (eg food cans)	Clean packaging items (aluminium, steel & hard plastic) can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Tablet, Tablet device	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Takeaway containers - plastic (clean)	Clean hard plastic containers can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Televisions, TV	Take up to 15 items for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations as a part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme
Timber - untreated	If in good condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations or consider donating to a charity organisation. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB )
Toilet paper rolls	Clean cardboard can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale & Babinda Transfer Stations.
Toys	If in good condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations
White goods	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Wine bottles - no lids	Clean glass bottles and jars can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling
Yoghurt containers (clean) no lids	Clean hard plastic containers can be dropped off for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling