Which bin do I put it in?
The Cairns region is one of the best places to live in the world, but we have problem, a big problem, we’re creating too much waste and allowing too much contamination (that is, the wrong materials) into our recycling and waste bins. This means that we are missing out on our chance to see good things happen to materials/resources that we’re collecting, reducing our waste to landfill and doing all we can to protect our precious environment.
By making sure we’re putting the right thing in the right bin, avoiding and reducing waste materials we can all play our part in making a cleaner and greener future the Cairns region.
A-Z waste guide
There are many options to dispose of unwanted items; it often doesn't have to go in to your waste and recycling bins at all.
Use this A-Z overview to find items and the different possibilities for managing your waste.
Simply search the list below!
| Item | Description | Bin |
|---|---|---|
| Aerosol cans (empty) | Recycle Right into the yellow lid bin - remove the plastic caps and nozzle and dispose these items in your waste bin. |  |
| Aluminium cans | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin. | |
| Aluminium foil (clean) | Recycle Right into your yellow bin - consolidate clean aluminium foil, trays and tubes and scrunch into the size of a tennis ball. | |
| Animal droppings | Securely wrap and place in your waste bin. Use chicken, sheep, cow or horse manure in the garden or compost bin. Dog and cat droppings are not recommended to be used in garden compost bins or worm farms as they can contain harmful bacteria. |  |
| Asbestos (loads < 175 kg) | There are strict conditions associated with the disposal of asbestos. DO NOT place in any kerbside bin or mix with other waste types - disposing of asbestos in this manner is illegal. Domestic loads of asbestos <175kgs can be taken to Portsmith Transfer Station. Conditions apply. |  |
| Baby Wipes (wet wipes, sanitary wipes) - flushable and non flushable | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Balloons | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Balloon helium gas canisters | This material is classed as hazardous waste - 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. | |
| Bottles (Hard Plastic) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin. | |
| Books | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin if unusable. 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. | |
| Bottle tops and caps | Dispose of these items in your waste bin or consider donating to child care facilities for reuse in art and craft projects. Consider opportunities for Specialist Recycling. | |
| Boxes (cardboard) | Recycle Right into the yellow lid bin - squash and flatten first. Clean cardboard only, remove food scraps or oily/soiled sections. | |
| Bubble wrap | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Building materials | 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 ). | |
| 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 boxes | Recycle Right into the yellow lid bin - squash and flatten first. Clean cardboard only, remove food scraps or oily/soiled sections. | |
| Carpet & Carpet underlay | Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. Fees may apply, view the Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). | |
| 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. | |
| Cassette & VHS tapes | Consider specialist recycle programs such as Terracycle Zero Waste Boxes. | |
| Ceiling fans | 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 ). | |
| CD & DVD cases | Dispose in your waste bin if unusable. 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. |
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| Cellophane | Dispose in your waste bin if unusable. | |
| Cereal box inserts | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Cereal boxes | Recycle Right into the yellow lid bin - squash and flatten first. Clean cardboard only, remove food scraps or oily/soiled sections. | |
| Chemicals (domestic) | This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. 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 | Dispose in the waste bin if unusable. If in good condition these items can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. |
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| Chip packets | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Cigarette butts | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| 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. | |
| Cling wrap | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Clothing, fabrics & shoes | Dispose in the waste bin if unusable. 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 | Dispose in the waste bin if unusable. If in good condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. | |
| Coffee cups & lids (disposable) | Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively some disposable coffee cups can be returned to participating stores for recycling as part of the simple cups program. | |
| Coffee grounds | Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively add to your compost, use as a soil conditioner or sprinkle around the garden to keep bugs at bay | |
| Coffee pods | Dispose in your waste bin, alternatively consider specialist recycling programs. | |
| Computers, components, accessories | 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. | |
| Condoms | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Containers (plastic) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse first. Comingled recycling can also be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale or Babinda Transfer Stations. | |
| Corks | Reuse where possible, dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively corks can be recycled via specialist recycling programs such as Terracycle Zero Waste Boxes. | |
| Cosmetic jars (plastic) | Clean plastic jars larger than a credit card size can be Recycled Right into your yellow lid bin. 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. | |
| Cotton wool buds/balls/tips | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Egg cartons | Consider reusing before Recycling Right into your yellow lid bin - squash and flatten first. Clean cardboard only, remove food scraps or oily/soiled sections. | |
| Electrical appliances | Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Station for disposal to landfill. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). - If in reusable condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for resale at the Buy Back Shop | |
| Envelopes (with/without windows) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin. | |
| E-cigarettes (prescription) | Do not dispose of batteries in your kerbside bins. Batteries in kerbside bins cause fires in collection vehicles and at waste processing facilities. - Prescription e-cigarettes can be returned to the pharmacist for safe disposal through Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM Project). - Single-use vapes are not accepted for disposal through the RUM Project. Take single-use vapes to your nearest transfer station for disposal to landfill. |
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| Fats (household) oils and grease | This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. 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 | This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. Fire extinguishers up to 9kgs only can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale or Babinda Transfer Stations. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). | |
| Flares | This material is not accepted at Council Transfer Stations view information on the correct disposal of this material. | |
| Food scraps (fruit, vegetables, meat) | Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively avoid food waste by planning ahead and reusing leftovers, add to your compost or worm farm, or feed to your pets (note some animals cannot tolerate certain types of food - check with your veterinarian first) | |
| Fuel (petrol, diesel) | This material is not accepted at Council Transfer Stations. By appointment only this material may be disposed of via local contractors NQ Resource Recovery/Cleanaway. | |
| 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 ). | |
| Garden/green waste (small) | Small amounts of green waste can be disposed in your waste bin - bin weight must be less than 70kgs and bin lid must be able to close. | |
| Garden/green waste (large) | Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations to be recycled into a mulch material. Fees may apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). Council also offers four free disposal periods for domestic green waste each year. Dates and locations are published on Council's website and My Cairns App. | |
| Gas bottles | This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. 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) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin. Consider reuse and re-purposing around the home first. | |
| Glasses (spectacles) | If damaged dispose in your waste bin. If usable consider donating to those in need view Community Spectacle Recycling Programs. | |
| Hair (human and animal) | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Hand towels (paper) | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Hose - garden hose, piping | If unusable cut into smaller pieces and dispose in your waste bin. If in good condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. | |
| Ice cream containers (clean) | Recycle Right into your yellow bin - rinse. | |
| Jar lids - plastic & metal | Dispose in your waste bin. Consider reuse potential or donation to community groups. | |
| Icy pole sticks | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Ipads, Ipods, Iphones | Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. | |
| Jars (no lids) | Recycle Right into your yellow bin. Consider reuse and re-purposing around the home first. | |
| Juice cartons (no lids) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin. | |
| Junk mail | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove rubber bands. | |
| Kitty litter | Securely wrap and dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Laminated paper | Dispose home/office laminated paper in your waste bin. If laminate can be removed, dispose the plastic sheet in your waste bin and the paper can be Recycled Right into your yellow lid bin. | |
| 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 | Dispose in the waste bin if unusable. 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. |
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| Lolly wrappers | Dispose in your waste bin . | |
| Long life cartons - juice & milk (no lids) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids. | |
| Magazines | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin. | |
| Margarine containers (clean) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse or wipe out. | |
| Mattresses | Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for disposal to landfill. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). | |
| Meat, seafood, shells and bones | Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively avoid food waste by planning ahead and reusing leftovers, add to your compost or worm farm, or feed to your pets (note some animals cannot tolerate certain types of food - check with your veterinarian first). |
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| Meat trays - foam | Dispose in your waste bin. Consider purchasing meat products on recyclable trays. | |
| Meat trays - plastic (clean) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove plastic film, absorbent material and rinse first. | |
| Medications | Check with your local pharmacy or chemist for disposal options. Refer to https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/medicines/ . Be aware Hazardous Wastes can not be disposed of in the general waste bin as they are harmful to human health and the environment. | |
| Milk bottles (no lids) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids. | |
| Milk cartons | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids. | |
| 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) | This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. 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) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse first. | |
| Nappies (cloth) | Dispose in your waste bin, alternatively reuse as cleaning rags. | |
| Nappies (disposable) | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Newspaper | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin. | |
| Oil - motor & cooking (domestic) | This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. 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 | This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. 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. | |
| Pallets - wooden & plastic | Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). | |
| Paper - office, flyers, brochures | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin. | |
| Paper - shredded | Dispose in your waste bin, alternatively add to your compost. | |
| Paper - soiled | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Paper towel | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Pet food tins | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse or wipe out and dispose of the ring pull or lid in your waste bin. | |
| Pizza boxes (clear off scraps) | Recycle Right into the yellow lid bin - squash and flatten first. Clean cardboard only, remove food scraps or oily/soiled sections. | |
| Plant cuttings & pruning | Small amounts of green waste can be disposed in your waste bin - bin weight must be less than 70kgs and bin lid must be able to close. Take large quantities to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations to be recycled into a mulch material - fees and charges apply. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). Council also offers four free disposal periods for domestic green waste each year. Dates and locations are published on Council's website and My Cairns App. | |
| Plant pots - plastic (clean) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove any soil or garden waste. | |
| Plastic - compostable (PLA) | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Plastic bags | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Plastic cups, plates and cutlery - disposable | Dispose in your waste bin. Consider how to reduce this type of material through alternate reusable options. | |
| Plastic strapping | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Plastic wrappers | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Polystyrene | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Poppers & other tetra packs | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids and straws, ensure completely empty of any liquid. | |
| 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. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). |
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| Pool chemicals | This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. 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. | |
| Poo (animal droppings) | Securely wrap and place in your waste bin. Use chicken, sheep, cow or horse manure in the garden or compost bin. Dog and cat droppings are not recommended to be used in garden compost bins or worm farms as they can contain harmful bacteria. | |
| Punnets (clean) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - no food scraps. | |
| Produce stickers (on fruit) | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Ring pull lids - canned foods | Dispose in your waste bin - items smaller than a credit card size cannot be recycled. | |
| Rope | If unusable cut into smaller pieces and dispose in your waste bin. 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 ). | |
| Sanitary items | Dispose in your waste bin | |
| Scrap metal | Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. | |
| Shampoo bottles (no lids) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids & pump mechanism and dispose these into your waste bin. | |
| Shoes (Sports & Active Footwear) | If in poor condition can be disposed of in your waste bin. If in good condition consider donation through local charities. Sports & Active footwear (rubber sole shoes only) can also be recycled through participating local Retailers (as part of the 'Treadlightly recycling program'). Currently participating stores include Athlete’s Foot Cairns, Converse Cairns, Rebel Cairns. | |
| Smoke alarms | Individual or small numbers of ionisation or photoelectric smoke alarms can be safely disposed in your waste bin - remove the battery first and recycle the battery. | |
| Soft drink bottles & cans (no lids) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids. | |
| Soil | This material is not accepted at our Transfer Stations, consider giving away locally | |
| Solvents | This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. 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) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse or wipe out containers, dispose of the ring pull or lid in your waste bin. | |
| Straws - disposable | Dispose in your waste bin. Consider reusable or compostable alternatives if you need to use straws and consider donating purchased, unused straws to child care facilities or schools for reuse in arts and craft projects. | |
| Syringes & needles | Dispose of this item for free at Portsmith and Smithfield - NEVER place sharps into the recycle or waste bin - even if it is in a sharps container. | |
| Tablet, medications, pills | Check with your local pharmacy or chemist for disposal options. Refer to https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/medicines/. Be aware Hazardous Wastes can not be disposed of in the general waste bin as they are harmful to human health and the environment. | |
| Tablet, Tablet device | Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. |
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| Takeaway containers - plastic (clean) | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse or wipe out containers, remove lids if smaller than a credit card, no food scraps. | |
| Tea bags | Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively investigate tea bag ingredients and consider using as fertiliser or adding to compost system. | |
| 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 - Treated | Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for disposal to landfill. Fees apply based on volume, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). | |
| Timber - Untreated | If in good condition, this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for reuse/recycling or consider donating to a charity organisation. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). | |
| Tissues | Dispose in your waste bin. | |
| Toilet paper rolls | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove any tissue paper. | |
| Toothbrushes & toothpaste tubes | Dispose in your waste bin, alternatively you can drop off these materials to participating Terracycle Oral Products Recycling centres here in Cairns. | |
| Toys | Dispose in your waste bin if unusable. If in good condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. | |
| Tyres | Take up to 5 tyres per visit (including tyres on rims) to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). | |
| Vegetable scraps including pasta and rice | Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively avoid food waste by planning ahead and reusing leftovers, add to your compost or worm farm, or feed to your pets (note some animals cannot tolerate certain types of food - check with your veterinarian first). | |
| Vape batteries | Do not dispose of batteries in your kerbside bins. Batteries in kerbside bins cause fires in collection vehicles and at waste processing facilities. - Tape the terminals of your batteries with clear tape to prevent the risk of fire. - Take removed vape batteries to your nearest free battery recycling drop off point located in many major retailers. Head to https://bcycle.com.au to find your nearest location. - Vape batteries can also be taken for free to Council Transfer Stations and selected libraries for recycling. Go to our website for further. information: https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/water-waste-roads/waste-and-recycling/facilities/accepted-items. |
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| Vapes (single use) | - Do not dispose of single-use vapes in your kerbside bins. Single-use vapes in kerbside bins cause fires in collection vehicles and at waste processing facilities - Take single-use vapes to your nearest transfer station for disposal to landfill. Fees apply - refer to the Transfer Station fees and charges. |
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| Waxed cardboard/paper | Dispose in your waste bin - waxed paper cannot be recycled. | |
| White goods | Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. | |
| Window glass | Dispose in your waste bin. Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for disposal to landfill. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). | |
| Wine bottles - no lids | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids. | |
| X-ray films | Dispose in your waste bin or send to specialist x-ray film recyclers. | |
| Yoghurt containers (clean) no lids | Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse or wipe out containers, remove lids if smaller than a credit card, no food scraps. | |
Yellow lid bins are for recyclable packaging only. Council’s Recycle Right program helps residents to ‘Keep it Simple’ by only placing four specific types of packaging in yellow lid recycling bins:
- Hard plastic bottles and containers
- Aluminium and steel cans
- Paper and cardboard
- Glass bottles and jars
Did you know that in last year’s kerbside audit Cairns residents placed 14% of incorrect items in their waste bins?
If you are not sure what a specific item is made of, or where it should be disposed of, try these resources:
- Look up an item using the online A-Z of waste tool
- View our six 30-second videos to learn how you can ‘Recycle right’ at home.
Council has also developed three easy to follow guides for Recycling Right at home, school or work.
- Download Council’s Pantry Card ( PDF, 2.96 MB )
- A-Z Of Waste Downloadable Print Version ( PDF, 3.25 MB )
- Download Council's 'How to ensure your bin gets collected' flyer ( PDF, 1.54 MB )
Don’t forget you can collect your free recycle right fridge magnet or pantry card at Council’s Customer Service, Transfer Stations or Cairns Libraries.
View the Bin Collection and services page for further information about your bin day.
Approximately 17% of the material placed in waste bins could have been recycled. Make sure to put the right thing in the right bin.
Your red/green lid bin is for waste only, this is the bin to use for items that cannot be recycled or taken to Council Transfer Stations. Please note green lids are slowly being phased out/replaced.
The following items are accepted in red/green lid waste bins:
- Plastic packaging
- Polystyrene foam
- Disposable nappies
- Broken crockery, Pyrex and glassware
- Worn Fabrics & linen
- broken toys
- general waste
Did you know that certain waste items can be sent for recycling through ‘Specialist Recyclers’ who have drop off locations in the Cairns Region?
Further help with items accepted in waste
- A-Z Of Waste Downloadable Print Version ( PDF, 3.25 MB )
- Download Council’s Pantry Card ( PDF, 2.96 MB )
Further information:
We need to start recycling better in order to make the most of our resources while protecting our precious environment. Let’s make sure to keep it simple when it comes to placing items in our waste and recycling bins. Here’s some tips and tricks for helping reduce waste to landfill and make the most of these resources.
Ending ‘Wish-Cycling’
Wish-cycling is the phenomenon of putting anything and everything that could possibly be recycled into the recycling bin in the hope that it will be reused, repurposed and somehow benefit the environment. Unfortunately, wish-cycling results in the contamination of perfectly good recyclable material and can even cause breakdowns at our Materials Recovery Facilities. Contamination takes a number of different forms - yes, it means things like dirty disposable nappies, but it also includes many really common (and often recyclable) items that people are ‘wish-cycling’ like fabrics, clothes, soft plastic packaging, plastic milk lids, electronic items, toys and garden waste.
Top ten Items wish-cycled (incorrectly placed) in kerbside recycling bins in Cairns
- Soft plastic (bags, wrappers, clingwrap, recyclable material in bags)
- Food scraps and garden waste
- Clothing/fabrics/nappies
- Syringes and medical waste
- Bottle lids (and any item smaller than a credit card)
- Toys
- Electrical Items (phones, tvs, whitegoods)
- Batteries
- Pyrex/crockery/glassware
- Polystyrene (foam)
What do the numbers on plastics really mean, are they recyclable?
The number often found on the bottom of plastic containers/bottles is not actually a 'recycling symbol' but rather a plastic or resin identification code. It advises what type of plastic the item is made from but not if it is recyclable.
When it comes to recycling in the Cairns region, make sure to follow our ‘Recycle Right’ tips for identifying recyclable plastics. When it comes to plastics, any hard ‘plastic bottles or container’ packaging items are acceptable in Yellow lid recycling bins.
Examples of acceptable plastic packaging:
- Softdrink, milk, juice, laundry, cleaning and toiletry bottles
- (clean) takeaway, ice cream, butter, deli, yoghurt and food punnets (strawberry etc) plastic containers
This is regardless if the symbol can be found on packaging or not.
Some waste items (like plastic bags and polystyrene can have symbols like ‘please recycle’ even if the only location to offer this is in Northern Hemisphere). Follow your local Waste and Recycling service provider.
For more information on whether an item can be accepted in kerbside recycling visit our online A-Z of waste tool.
Specialist recycling
Just because certain items can’t be recycled in Council recycling bins (or at Council Waste & Recycling Facilities) doesn’t mean they need to end up in landfill. Visit our Specialist Recycling page for opportunities for you to setup your very own ‘hard to recycle’ drop off point.
Make sure to consider repurposing, remaking, reparing your waste materials first, if you can’t place the item in your Yellow Lid Bin or take it to a Transfer Station, you can also consider Specialist Recycling Programs. These may cost you a little more time, effort (and maybe) money, but there are alternatives to landfill for everything we purchase. When you’re left with no other option, consider avoiding/reducing that type of waste all together.
Tips to make recycling easier at home
- Place a collector for recyclable packaging in your kitchen, bathroom & laundry (most of our packaging is disposed of in these rooms)
- Display a Council Pantry Card ( PDF, 2.96 MB ) on your recycling and waste bins to help everyone who uses these bins to know how to Recycle Right
- Display a Council Recycle Right Fridge Magnet in your house
- Separate your materials (before you get to the wheelie bin)
- Don’t forget Council Waste and Recycling Facilities take household recycle for free, take your excess material direct to our facilities
- Council is not the only option for recycling in the region, consider Terracycle for the hard to recycle materials, Charity Container Refund Programs & other specialist recyclers.
Keep recycling out of waste
Did you know that Cairns residents place as much recyclable content in their waste bins as they do in recycling bins? These recyclables end up in landfill. Such a waste! Visit this page to learn more about how you can keep recycling out of waste
Love Food Hate Waste
Love Food Hate Waste Cairns aims to raise awareness of the need to reduce food waste and helps all of us take action to save money and the environment at the same time
Recycle Right
Six easy ways ways Cairns residents can "recycle right" and ensure we are only placing clean and correct recyclable items in our yellow lid recycling bins.
Last Updated: 29 November 2022
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