Gold Coast Bin Collection 2026: Which Bin Goes Out When, What Goes in Each Lid Colour and How Much an Extra Green Bin Costs (QLD)

On the Gold Coast, the general waste bin (red or dark green lid) is collected every week, and the yellow recycling bin and the green organics bin are collected every second week, on the same day as the general waste bin but in alternating weeks. Your own day comes from the City’s Bin Day finder, and bins go out the night before, even before a public holiday.

This guide follows the City of Gold Coast’s pages on residential bins, general waste, recycling and green organics as of 10 November 2026. Fees are as of November 2026.

When are my bins collected?

Bin	Lid	How often
General waste	Red or dark green	Weekly
Recycling	Yellow	Fortnightly
Green organics	Green (lime green for most freestanding homes)	Fortnightly

Recycling and green organics are collected on the same day as the general waste bin, alternating each week. To find your own days, use the City’s Bin Day finder or the CityApp. If you live in a unit or apartment, the City says to ask your body corporate or call 07 5667 5976 for service details. The same number can check whether a property near the edge of the collection area is eligible.

How do I put the bins out?

• Place bins within 1 metre of the kerb the night before collection, including before public holidays.
• Face the bins to the road and keep them clear of cars, trees and other obstacles.
• Leave at least 30 centimetres between each bin.
• Keep the lids fully closed.
• Bring the bins back in as soon as possible after collection, to reduce the risk of damage, theft or safety problems.

What goes in the red or dark green bin?

The general waste bin is for everyday rubbish that cannot be donated, recycled or composted, and it goes to landfill. The City’s examples are:

• soft plastics and packaging such as chip packets, cling wrap and plastic bags;
• nappies, sanitary products and wipes;
• food scraps that cannot go in the organics or green waste bins;
• broken household items such as glassware and crockery;
• polystyrene foam and heavily soiled containers;
• general clutter such as dust, lint and sweepings.

If you make less rubbish because you already separate your recycling and green organics, you can ask to switch to a smaller 140 litre general waste bin.

What goes in the yellow recycling bin?

The City lists these items as recyclable in the yellow bin:

• paper and cardboard, such as newspapers, cereal boxes and packaging;
• glass bottles and jars;
• hard plastic containers, such as milk bottles, detergent bottles and takeaway containers;
• aluminium and steel cans;
• clean cartons, such as juice and milk cartons.

The rules the City stresses are: put items in loose with no plastic bags, rinse containers to remove food and liquid, and keep soft plastics such as chip packets and cling wrap out. The City says putting general waste or organics in recycling can make recyclables unusable, damage sorting equipment, cause entire loads to be sent to landfill and raise processing costs. You can swap to a larger 360 litre recycling bin, which the City says adds up to 50 per cent capacity, by calling 07 5667 5976.

What goes in the green organics bin?

The City accepts natural plant material only: grass clippings and leaves, garden prunings and weeds, flowers and plant cuttings, and small branches, logs and tree trimmings up to 40 centimetres. Do not put in plastic bags, plant pots, ties or packaging, food waste, soil, rocks or stones, treated or painted timber, general waste or recyclables, animal waste or manure, or hazardous materials.

Can I get a second green bin, and what does it cost?

The City does not offer larger green organics bins, because organic waste is heavier and the weight could damage bins and trucks. Instead you can order an extra green organics bin. The City lists an annual service fee of $91 per bin, and multiple bins are collected on your usual day. Property owners and tenants can apply, and body corporate approval may be required.

Tenants need to tell the City if they are changing a green organics service. If the bin is moving with you, email your new address to wasteadmin@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, and to end the service use the online cancellation form. A tenant cannot pass a green organics service on to the next tenant.

Why can’t batteries or vapes go in any bin?

The City says used batteries and disposable vapes can ignite and set fire to garbage trucks when crushed, so they must not go in any bin. It says Recycle Street accepts most used batteries, and that many local retailers also collect batteries. The City also lists these items as not belonging in any bin: chemicals, paints and other hazardous waste, e-waste such as TVs and computers, gas bottles and pressurised items, large bulky items, and construction materials. For where to take them, see our guide to Gold Coast tips and recycling centres.

What if my bin is missed, damaged, or I have too much waste?

• If your bin was not emptied, report a missed bin online.
• If a bin is damaged or stolen, report it online.
• If you have more waste than the bins hold, take it to a waste and recycling centre, or order an on-demand kerbside pickup for a $50 service fee.

The City also offers an assisted household service for residents unable to move their bins, and a paid wheel-out, wheel-back service where crews put bins out and return them after collection.

What is the standard bin set?

If your property is within a collection area, you usually receive a 240 litre general waste bin (red or dark green lid), a 240 litre recycling bin (yellow lid) and, for most freestanding homes, a 240 litre green organics bin (lime green lid). You can ask for a different size or additional bins on the City’s Order new bins page.

What does the City say about storm season and fire ants?

On the green organics page the City says to keep green waste under control to reduce risks in storm season, because loose branches and garden debris can become dangerous in strong winds, and regular tidy-ups and proper disposal help keep your home and community safe. It also says proper disposal of green waste helps prevent the spread of fire ants, which can hide in soil and organic material.

What if I have more than the bins hold?

The City gives three routes for each bin type. Excess general waste, recycling or green waste can go to a waste and recycling centre. A $5 gate fee applies to loads that include general waste, and a load of recycling or green waste only is free if no general waste is mixed in. Green organics can go to a centre’s green organics drop and go area, with load limits. For bulky items or large amounts you can book the on-demand FLEXiSKiP kerbside collection for a $50 service fee. Donating clothing, furniture, books or electronics to local charity shops, or using the City’s Recycling Business Directory, is the City’s suggestion for items that are still usable.

Sources

• City of Gold Coast — Residential bins (checked 10 November 2026)
• City of Gold Coast — General waste
• City of Gold Coast — Recycling
• City of Gold Coast — Green organics

Featured image: Lake Orr and houses in Varsity Lakes (photo: Shiftchange / CC0) (text added)

OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Gold Coast. Collection days and rules can change; check the City’s Bin Day finder for your address.