Sort your load
By taking a little extra time to sort your waste and recycling load before you leave home, you can save yourself time and money by easily disposing of the different materials at each of the designated drop-off points at Council's transfer stations.
Many of the accepted items at transfer stations can be dropped off for free.
How to best sort your load
To make your next visit quick and hassle-free, sorting can be as simple as:
- Putting all the household recyclables together
- Flattening any large cardboard boxes
- Putting bricks and rubble together
- Separating timber, metals, electronic waste and green waste materials
To check what items can be dropped off for free visit Council's free waste drop-off page or download Council's waste fees and changes document ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Payment Options:
Cash and EFTPOS payments (Mastercard or Visa only) are accepted at all Transfer Stations and the Buy Back Shop.
Drop-off areas at Council transfer stations
Council transfer stations are divided into five drop-off areas for your different material types.
- Car batteries
- Cardboard and paper
- Fluorescent tubes and lights
- Glass bottles and jars
- Good condition building materials - the reusable 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.
- Fire extinguishers
- Household batteries inc. power tools and mobile phones (5 kg limit)
- Household chemicals (20 L/kg or less)
- Mobile phones
- Oils - motor and cooking (20 L limit)
- Paint and solvents (architectural and decorative) Babinda Transfer Station does not accept this material
- Plastic bottles and containers
- Electrical and audio cables
- Printer cartridges
- Reusable household items (furniture, toys, knick-knacks etc)
- Reuseable clothing and footwear
- Steel and aluminium cans
- Televisions, desktop and laptop computers, game consoles, computer parts and peripherals (up to 15 items per day)
E-Waste Recycling: if it’s got a plug, battery or cord and is unwanted, it’s e-waste
From old phones, computers and household appliances to power tools and toys. e-waste is full of valuable resources we can reuse, as well as some internal materials which can harm the environment.
Don’t place these items in your waste (or recycling) bins, residents are reminded that these can be taken for free to Council waste and recycling facilities for reuse, recycling and possibly resale.
View Council’s accepted items at transfer stations guide for further information.
Many items can be dropped off for free at Council's transfer stations. View the free drop-off page for further information.
Charges apply
- General waste - anything that can't be sorted, reused, recycled and goes to landfill
- Mattresses
- Medical Waste - sharps only (Portsmith and Smithfield Transfer Stations only)
- Polystyrene and soft plastics
- Treated timber
View Council's waste and recycling fees and charges ( PDF, 0.02 MB ) for further information.
Charges apply
- Green waste (grass clippings, weeds, shrub and yard clippings, wood chips, bark, palm fronds, trees and branches)
- Wood (pallets, stumps)
Make sure to take advantage of Council's four free waste drop-off offerings per year.
Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda transfer stations offer four free green waste offerings per year, the dates for 2023 are below:
- 17 – 25 Feb 2024
- 18 – 26 May 2024
- 17 – 25 Aug 2024
- 16 – 24 Nov 2024
Note: this offer is for domestic cars, utilities and/or trailers and light trucks (vehicle weight to GVM four tonnes). Normal rates apply for the disposal of any other waste during this period, including green waste from garden maintenance contractors on behalf of residents.
- Scrap metal (ferrous and non-ferrous)
- Fridges and freezers (maximum two per visit)
- Whitegoods - washing machines, dryers
- Air conditioners
Many items can be dropped off for free at Council transfer stations. View the free drop-off page for further information.
Charges apply
- Bricks
- Tiles
- Gyprock plaster
View Council's waste and recycling fees and charges document ( PDF, 0.12 MB ) for further information.
Council Transfer Station maps
View Council's quick reference maps to confirm drop-off areas for recycling, waste, green waste, metal and concrete materials.
For further information please visit Council's waste transfer station facilities page.
- Address: Lot 1 Dunne Road SMITHFIELD 4878
- Opening hours: 8:30am-5:15pm seven days. Closed Christmas Day and during annual Cairns Ironman event.
- Address: 35 - 51 Lyons Street PORTSMITH 4870
- Opening Hours: 8:30am-5:15pm seven days. Closed Christmas Day.
- Address: Lot 1 Bruce Highway GORDONVALE 4865
- Opening Hours: 8:30am-5:15pm seven days. Closed Christmas Day.
Address: Lot 1 Kruckow Road BABINDA 4861
Opening Hours: 8:30am-5:15pm seven days. Closed Christmas Day.
Last Updated: 22 November 2023
Latest News > All News
Maintenance works on Esplanade viewing platform
Maintenance works on the western viewing platform on the Cairns Esplanade, behind the Reef Eye Ferris Wheel are scheduled to...
Council reaffirms water security is its top priority
Council has reaffirmed that the Cairns Water Security – Stage 1 project (CWSS1) remains its number one advocacy priority and...
Council commits support for Cairns Amateurs
Council has endorsed the transfer of $225,000 in sponsorship to the Cairns Jockey Club Inc to help deliver the next...