Landfill waste on Redlands Coast

On Redlands Coast we collect, transport out, then dispose of our general waste to landfill sites. The waste utility charge covers the cost of this essential service.   

Let's rethink our waste 

Meet our waste truck driver, Steve. Learn about his day and why reducing waste to landfill is essential to mitigate rising costs and create a more sustainable future.

Discover ways to keep food, green waste and recyclables out of landfill on Redlands Coast as part of our waste strategy. 

Where does your waste really go?

Every week, thousands of red-lid bins are collected across Redlands Coast. But have you ever stopped to think about what happens after your bin is emptied?

We don't have an open landfill site in Redland City, so we pay to have trucks take our waste to landfill sites outside of the city.

The reality is that much of what goes into our red-lid bins doesn't need to end up in landfill. In fact, most households could reduce their landfill waste by more than 60% by making a few simple changes.

Landfill is costing more

Your red-lid bin is now the most expensive choice as disposing of waste becomes increasingly expensive. Transport, fuel, limited availability of landfill sites and the Queensland Waste Disposal Levy add millions of dollars each year to Council's waste management costs. The more waste we send to landfill, the more it costs our community. 

Reducing landfill waste helps keep future waste costs down.

Landfill is harming the environment

Landfills don't just take up space. They also create environmental impacts that can last for generations.

Food and garden waste buried in landfill produce greenhouse gases as they break down. Many materials, such as plastic, metal and glass, can remain in landfill for hundreds or even thousands of years.

By keeping reusable, recyclable and compostable materials out of landfill, we can reduce emissions, conserve resources and protect the environment we value.

Landfill isn't the future

South East Queensland is growing, but available landfill space is limited.

Council's waste trucks make more than 5,800 return trips to landfill every year, travelling around 450,000 kilometres, equivalent to driving around the world 11 times.

We can't keep relying on landfill as our primary solution. The future lies in reducing waste, recovering valuable resources and embracing a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled rather than thrown away.

  

So, what can you do?

The good news is that a few simple actions can make a big difference.

1. Get the right bin setup

Having the right bins makes it easier to recycle and compost.

The right bin setup can help your household divert more waste from landfill every week.

2. Compost it

Almost half of what goes into landfill is food or garden waste.

Food and garden waste can become valuable compost instead of landfill.

3. Recycle it

A significant amount of material sent to landfill could be recycled.

Recycling right keeps valuable resources in use and out of landfill.

4. Rethink it

The best waste is the waste that never gets created.

  • Choose reusable items where possible
  • Shop second-hand
  • Repair, borrow or donate before throwing items away
  • Visit RecycleWorld and other local reuse initiatives

Small changes at home can prevent tonnes of waste from ending up in landfill.

  

Small changes make a big difference

Every item kept out of your red-lid bin helps.

By using the right bins and waste and recycling facilities, composting and choosing reusable options, together we can reduce waste to landfill, protect our environment and create a more sustainable future for Redlands Coast.

Let’s keep green waste out of landfill

Justin green waste driver in front of truck
Meet Justin. With more than 30% of what we send to landfill being garden waste, Justin shares his story as to why we need to keep green waste out of landfill.

Let’s keep recycling out of landfill

Beau recycling waste driver inside truck

Meet Beau. With approx. 17% of what we send to landfill being recyclable materials, Beau shares his story as to why we need to keep recycling out of landfill.

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