Bins out by 6am

Waste bins will have either a red or a green lid (green lids are slowly being phased out) and are serviced weekly. Your recycling bin will have a yellow lid and is serviced fortnightly. Follow these simple steps below to ensure your waste or recycling bins are collected.

Placement

• Place your bin on the nature strip, close to the kerb
• The front of the bin should face the road, and the handles should be closest to your house
• On recycling weeks, ensure both bins are placed
• 50 centimetres apart
• Place your bin away from obstructions such as over-hanging branches, street signs and vehicle

Timing

• Place your bin out for collection by 6am on your scheduled collection day. To confirm your bin day, visit Council's find my bin day page.
• Return your bin to your property within 12 hours of collection
• If you leave your wheelie bin out for longer than allowed, Council can remove your bin and potentially issue infringements

Use

• Place the correct items in the correct bin (visit Council's Recycle Right page for further information).  Further information is also available via Council's A-Z of waste online tool.
• Do not overfill bins
• The bin lid must close fully
• Do not overload the bin (maximum weight is 70 kilograms)

Missed bins, damage and theft

Please report any missed collections, bin damage or theft within 24 hours to Customer Service on 1300 69 22 47
or complete an online missed collection form.

You can also report bin damage or theft via the MyCairns App.

Extra collections

Council provides an additional collection service where your residential 240 litre waste and recycling bins can be collected for a fee. To request an additional collection service, complete the additional bin collection request form

View Council's Bin Collection page or download Council's 'how to ensure your bin gets collected' ( PDF, 1.54 MB ) flyer for further information.