Bin Collection Day
Bin days have changed across the region - From 1 November 2025, bin collection days for general waste and recycling bins have changed for many households across the region.
This change has been made to improve service efficiency, plan for future population growth, and ensure the reliable collection of our bins.
Thanks for your patience while we roll out this significant change for our region!
Click here for more information
For residents living within the Gladstone Region, kerbside collection includes a Landfill Bin (Red) for household waste that is collected weekly and a Recycling Bin (Yellow) for mixed recyclables that is collected fortnightly.
Waste collection services operate on a 'user pays model' and collection is only provided for Council-supplied bins (with logo) on properties paying for cleansing services.
Some properties, however, may be ineligible for bin collection or sit outside the Defined Cleansing Service Area or bin collection service area.
To check if your property is eligible for Council rubbish collection, please phone Council (07) 4970 0700.
To determine your bin collection day and recycling week, check online by entering your residential address or view the 2025/26 recycling calendar(PDF, 473KB).
Bin collection day changes - FAQs
Why is my bin day changing?
Council and its waste management contractor, JJ’s Waste & Recycling, have reviewed the current bin collection routes and rezoned them to make sure we are collectively delivering an efficient service to our community. There are many benefits to changing our bin collection days:
- Outdated schedule: Current collection days were set prior to amalgamation and no longer reflect how the region has grown.
- Service reliability: Current runs increase the risk of missed or delayed collections due to uneven workloads and late landfill drop-offs.
- Contractor efficiency: Clearer routes, reliable drop-offs, simplified zoning for collection days. There will be no reduction in truck numbers – routes are being restructured, not removed.
- Future proofing: Rebalancing runs now ensures the system can accommodate ongoing growth and requirements for the future Garden Organics (GO) bin service.
Bin collection days will change for many households across the Gladstone Region with a kerbside collection service (both general and recycling bins).
When is my bin day changing?
Your bin collection day will change from 1 November 2025 (this will include any additional services).
What is the frequency of bin collections?
The frequency is not changing. It remains weekly for general waste and fortnightly for recycling.
Can I opt out of the change in bin day?
No. These changes are applicable across the entire Gladstone Region.
Why didn't I receive a letter?
Letters were sent to all impacted households. If you did not receive a letter, it means that your bin collection day is not changing. You can check your bin collection easily on Council's website.
How much is this change costing ratepayers? Will this impact my rates?
The implementation of these changes does not come at any additional cost to Council or ratepayers.
Bin collection charges are adopted as part of Council’s annual budget. There is no change to your 2025/26 Rates Notice.
What if my bin was not emptied/ I forgot to place it out in time?
Your bin may be missed for several reasons:
- The bin was not put out in time. Place your bin kerbside the night before, or by 6am, on collection day.
- We may have accidentally missed your bin. Please call Council on (07) 4970 0700 if your bin collection was missed.
- JJ’s Waste & Recycling will work with Council during November to make sure any missed bins
are collected.
Will my bin day change again when the Garden Organics bin service is implemented?
No. This review considered the requirements for the Garden Organics (GO) bin service from July 2026. JJ’s Waste & Recycling recommended making these changes now to avoid further changes when the GO bins are available. More information on the new GO bin service will be available soon.
What should I do if my bin is overflowing?
There are several ways you can prevent your bin from overflowing between collections.
For your general waste bin, these may include:
For your recycling bin, these may include:
- Safely compact or flatten items like cardboard boxes prior to placing them into your recycling bin to make the most of the bin space.
- Store excess recyclable items in a safe and dry place until your next scheduled collection date.
- Bring your bulky recyclable items to your nearest landfill or transfer station for recycling.
Why did some areas receive an extra service in November?
As part of this change, there was a longer than usual gap between old and new bin days in some areas. To help with this transition, eligible streets in Glen Eden and Calliope were offered a complimentary general waste service on Saturday 1 November. A complimentary recycling service was also offered on 1 and 8 November for eligible areas.
My question hasn’t been answered – who can help me?
For more information about bin day changes, please contact us:
- Online
- By phone
- By mail
- Visit one of our Customer Service Centres.
What to do on collection day
DO:
- Place your bin out before 6am, or the night before
- Place your bin facing outwards on the edge of the kerb
- On recycling collection days, space bins at least one metre apart, preferably on separate sides of your driveway
- Tie wheelie bin liners closed to prevent rubbish from spilling when collected
- Return bins to your property after collection has occurred.
DON'T:
- Place bins under low trees or near letterboxes, signposts, power poles, fences or vehicles
- Contaminate your bin with hazardous waste
- Allow bins to overflow with rubbish (lids must close) or place rubbish on the ground - your rubbish will not be collected
- Fill bin with heavy materials (60kg weight limit) - it may not be collected.
Rural bin collection
Rural residents should place their waste and recycling bins:
- Away from fence lines
- In a visible location
- Away from passing traffic.
Replacement bins
Council's Online Services Portal can be used to report a missed bin collection, request the repair and/or replacement of wheelie bins. Alternatively, for more information and advice on issues relating to your residential wheelie bin, please get in touch with Council.
To request a change to your existing service, please complete the application form(PDF, 255KB) and return it to Council.
Check your bin collection day
Something doesn't look right?
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this data, some anomalies may occur. If you believe the details are incorrect or inconsistent with your service, please get in touch with Council.
Public holidays collection
Council's weekly waste and fortnightly recycling collection services for residences and businesses continue to operate on public holidays, including throughout the Easter and Christmas periods, as per your street's usual schedule.