Let’s Get It Sorted: Kerbside Recycling Starts March 2025!

Your Guide to Recycling Right: Simple Steps for a Cleaner, Greener Cassowary Coast

Kerbside recycling is coming to the Cassowary Coast! Starting March 2025, your new yellow-lid bin will replace the green-lid dry waste bin, marking a big step toward reducing landfill and creating a more sustainable region.

Here’s how it works:

When: Lid replacements will roll out across the region between 3 March and 21 March.
Collection Schedule: Once you receive your yellow-lid bin, place it out on the kerb every fortnight, even before recycling officially begins.
Go-Live Date: From 24 March 2025, kerbside recycling begins! Your recycling day will match the same fortnightly schedule as your previous green-lid bin collection.

What happens next? All yellow-lid bins will be taken to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Cairns, where recyclables are sorted and sent to specialised facilities to become new materials.

Together with Tablelands Regional Council and Douglas Shire Council, we’re part of a regional effort to recycle right and protect our environment.

Start Recycling with Confidence

Recycling doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these tips to get it right and help us keep the system running smoothly!

Problem: Unsure what belongs in your yellow-lid bin? Incorrect sorting can cause contamination.
Solution: Stick to these key recyclables:
- Hard plastic bottles and containers
- Steel and aluminum cans
- Glass bottles and jars
- Paper and cardboard
Action: Not sure about an item? Check Cairns Regional Council’s A-Z Recycling Guide or watch this quick video:
Problem: Soft plastics, like bags and cling wrap, tangle in sorting machinery, causing delays and damage.

Solution: Use the "poke test": If you can push your finger through it, it’s too soft to recycle. Keep soft plastics out of your yellow-lid bin.
- Examples of non-recyclables:
  - Plastic bags (including biodegradable and compostable bags)
  - Chip packets
  - Plastic film and bread bags
Action: Switch to reusable options, like cloth bags or beeswax wraps, to reduce waste. For more details, check the A-Z Guide or watch this video:
Problem: Items smaller than a credit card, like lids and coffee pods, can jam sorting machines.

Solution: Keep these out of your yellow-lid bin:
- Bottle caps and jar lids
- Bread tags
- Coffee pods
- Ring pulls
Action: Place small items in your red-lid bin instead. Learn more here or watch this video:
Problem: Hazardous materials can harm workers and damage machinery.

Solution: Never place these items in your yellow-lid bin:
- Gas bottles
- Car batteries
- Strapping lines, hoses, and wires
- Building materials
- Chemicals, oils, and paints
Action: Take hazardous items to a local Transfer Station. Find out what’s accepted or watch this safety video:
Problem: Food and drink residues contaminate recyclables, sending entire loads to landfill.

Solution: Always rinse or wipe out containers before placing them in the yellow-lid bin.
- Keep out:
  - Food scraps
  - Soiled paper and cardboard
  - Nappies
Action: A quick rinse makes a big difference. Check the A-Z Guide for details or watch this video:
Problem: Bagged recyclables can’t be processed at the MRF.
Solution: Place recyclables loose in your yellow-lid bin. Never use bags or boxes.

Action: Empty items directly into the bin. Learn more here or watch this video: