Bins and collections

Tips on managing your kerbside bins.

• Avoid your bin being missed, check your bin collection day 
• Remember to put your bin out the night before as trucks start collecting from 6am
• Place bins 1.5m apart 
• Place bins kerbside with the handle closest to your property
• Ensure bins are easily accessible by the collection truck and not obstructed by vehicles
• Make sure bins are not overflowing and lids can be closed 
• Remove your bin from kerbside after collection 
• Report a problem if your bin is damaged or needs replacement

What Does the Waste Utility Charge Cover?

The waste utility charge [PDF, 223.82KB] on your rates notice covers much more than just kerbside bin collections. It funds a wide range of essential waste and recycling services that help keep our community clean, green, and sustainable. This includes the management of approximately 120,000 tonnes of waste, recyclables and garden organics each year, supporting:

• Waste, Recycling and Green Waste Collection kerbside collections

Council’s waste collection contractor lifts approximately 3.2 million waste bins, 1.6 million recycling bins, and more than 700,000 green waste bins annually. This massive effort is powered by a fleet of dedicated 15 waste, 5 recycling, and 3 green waste trucks, operated by a team of skilled drivers working five days a week, 52 weeks a year—including public holidays like Christmas when they fall on a weekday. Collections also extend to island communities with more than 600 vehicle barge trips completed every year. This operation consumes more than 630,000 litres of diesel each year generating 1,731 tonnes of CO2e.

• Landfill Costs and State Waste Levy Contributions

Around 57,000 tonnes of waste is sent to landfill each year, costing ratepayers an estimated $6.5 million in 2024-25. This includes the Queensland Government’s advanced payment offset and waste levy payments, which rises $10 per tonne each year through to 2031. By 2031 the waste levy alone will add an extra $8.6 million to Council’s operating budget or around $150 to every households annual rates bill based on current household waste behaviours.

• Operation of Recycling and Waste Centres

Council runs eight recycling and waste centres—two on the mainland and six on the islands—serving over 473,000 visitors each year. These centres operate 9.5 hours a day, 363 days a year and manage around 53,000 tonnes of domestic waste across 18 different waste streams, with over 70% of this material recycled. Waste streams managed at the Recycling and Waste Centres include general waste (landfill), co-mingled recycling, green waste, timber, bricks and concrete, scrap metal, cardboard, oils, batteries, e-waste, hazardous materials, asbestos, paint, and more. Over 35 contractor staff help operate these vital facilities. Redland City Council residents do not pay fees for non-commercial use of our Recycling and Waste Centres. To gain free access, you will need to provide proof of residency (i.e. ID which has photo and address). Commercial fees apply for non-residents or if disposing of commercial waste.

• Green waste management

Almost 31,000 tonnes of green waste is expected to be collected, transported and processed in 2025-26 – 9,200 tonnes collected from homes and 21,800 from Recycling and Waste Centres. This process keeps green waste out of landfill and turns this valuable material back into garden mulch and soil. However, there has been significant cost increases to process green waste as composters in South-East Queensland modernise their facilities to meet stricter environmental standards set by the Queensland Government.  

• Kerbside Recycling Programs

More than 9,600 tonnes of kerbside recyclables are collected from Redlands Coast households every year and are taken to a Material Recovery Facility. This important program not only keeps recyclables out of landfill, but it also supports the circular economy as well as the supply chain as these materials are re-processed and turned back into other food and product packaging. However about 15% of materials placed in household yellow-lid bins is waste that should have been put into red-lid waste bins – this issue puts increasing cost pressures on recycling services.

• Community Support Services

Council provides a range of services to assist eligible residents and community groups, including bulky waste collections, in-home bin services for those unable to move their bins, and waste disposal subsidies for local organisations.

• Waste Collection from Parks and Council Facilities

Council maintains waste and recycling services across public parks and facilities on Redlands Coast. More than 68,000 public place bins and other council facility bins are collected every year, to keep public spaces clean and welcoming. 

• Bin Servicing, Maintenance and Repairs

Each year, Council handles over 15,000 customer requests for repairs, replacements, and exchanges of almost 158,000 bins, ensuring your household waste services stay reliable and functional.

• Community Education and Clean-Up Programs

​​​​​​​Council invests in community engagement and education initiatives to encourage waste reduction and better recycling. These include support for events like Clean Up Australia Day and sponsorship of the Eco Marines school program. Council is also leveraging external funding such as $483,000 in funds from the Queensland Government for the ‘Lets Get it Sorted Redlands Coast’ education and behaviour change initiative.  

• Specialist Recycling and Sustainability Initiatives

​​​​​​​Council also runs targeted programs beyond kerbside and waste centre services. These include hard-to-recycle drop-off stations at IndigiScapes, a compost bin subsidy program, and other initiatives that help reduce landfill and promote sustainable practices.

• Administrative Support

​​​​​​​Behind the scenes, administrative teams ensure the effective coordination and management of all these essential services.

Your Contribution Matters

By paying the waste utility charge [PDF, 223.82KB]​​​​​​​, you're helping to reduce landfill, increase recycling, and support a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Redlands Coast for everyone.

Commercial premises

Collection services for general waste, recycled waste and green waste is available to commercial premises, on request. Please contact Redland City Council to discuss your requirements.