New Garden Organic Service

In summary

Gladstone Regional Council is proud to begin moving towards a region-wide Garden Organics (GO) collection as part of Council’s commitment to implementing its Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy.   

This new GO service will be introduced from July 2026. To start this service, any dark green General Waste lid bins will be refitted with the streamlined red lid through Council’s Bin Harmonisation Program.   

Residents within Council’s Defined Cleansing Service Area will be given an additional lime-green lid GO bin, which will be included in the regular kerbside collections alongside the red lid general waste and yellow lid recycling bins. 

As part of the 3-bin core service delivery, collection will be fortnightly for the yellow recycling and the lime-green lidded bins. The General Waste collection will continue to be a weekly collection.   

The new GO recovery and national bin colour harmonisation are part of Council’s commitment to reducing landfill, lowering emissions, and protecting our environment for future generations.

FAQs - Understanding Garden Organics (GO)

What is GO?

GO stands for Garden Organics material. GO bins are designed for your garden waste. This organic waste will be collected fortnightly and then processed into a suitable product. This allows for nutrients to be returned to the environment in parks, gardens and farms.

When will GO services commence across the region?

Council is committed to rolling out the new service from July 2026 to eligible properties that meet service criteria. Upon delivery, eligible properties will receive an information pack to inform them about the GO bin.

For eligible vacant land within the GO service locality, a future GO service will commence upon construction of a domestic residence.

A GO service would cease where a domestic residence is demolished on a property with Council approval.

What are the benefits of moving to a kerbside GO collection?

  • Reduce landfill - by separating garden waste, more organic material can be diverted for re-use rather than ending up in landfill.
  • Reduce costs - diverting organics effectively reduces costs associated with landfill disposal fees and the Queensland Waste Levy, which helps to keep waste charges lower over time as the waste levy increases in the long term.
  • Environmental benefits - composting organic waste reduces emissions and returns nutrients to the soil through compost and mulch.

Which suburbs will receive the GO service?

  • Barney Point
  • Boyne Island
  • Calliope
  • Clinton
  • Gladstone Central
  • Glen Eden
  • Kin Kora
  • Kirkwood
  • New Auckland
  • O’Connell
  • South Gladstone
  • Sun Valley
  • Tannum Sands
  • Telina
  • Toolooa
  • West Gladstone.

What property types will receive the GO service?

The following domestic property types located within in the identified suburbs will receive the GO service: 

  • Standalone houses (single-unit dwellings)
  • Properties up to (and including) a maximum size of 2,000 m2.

The following domestic property types are not currently included to receive the GO service: 

  • Multi-use dwellings (units, apartments, townhouses, duplexes)
  • Rural and rural residential zoned properties.

 

 

 

What are the fees and charges of the new GO service?

Council is currently outworking the fees and charges for the new GO service to cover the cost of collecting, processing and administering the service, and remains focused on providing residents with the best value for the new service.

What will the frequency of the GO service be?

The service will be offered on a fortnightly basis. Collection days will be fortnightly on the opposite week to recycling bin collection. Please make sure your bins are correctly placed on the kerbside and spaced 1 metre apart.

What is the size of the GO bin?

A 240L bin with a green lid.

Can I opt-in to the GO service?

Yes, domestic properties not meeting GO service conditions may apply to opt-in if:

  • Located in a GO service locality; and
  • A GO collection vehicle passes the property.

Once approved, cannot opt-out.

Opt-in allows multi-unit dwellings, properties over 2,000 m2 in size and rural and rural residential zoned properties to apply and be included in the GO service following service commencement from July 2026.

Can I opt-out of the service?

No. Properties located in the suburbs to receive the new GO service and that meet GO service conditions will receive a GO service from 1 July 2026.

What is accepted in the GO bin?

  • Flowers
  • Garden pruning  
  • Grass clippings  
  • Leaves and loose bark 
  • Shrubs  
  • Weeds  

Unacceptable items in the GO bin

  • Compostable items like paper plates, wooden spoons, coffee cups and lids 
  • Doggy poo bags 
  • Fruit or food scraps 
  • Garden accessories like pots, ropes, garden hose.
  • General Waste 
  • General waste items that belong in your red bin 
  • Large logs, branches and stumps – these make the bin too heavy to service 
  • Plastic bags  
  • Recyclable items like e-waste or clothing that can be taken to you closest transfer station 
  • Recyclable items that belong in your yellow lid bin 
  • Stones, concrete or masonry.

Will there be any changes to the red lid general waste or yellow lid recycling bin service?

The GO service will not replace the existing kerbside collection services.

Residents should continue using the recycling bin as usual by separating recyclable materials from general waste. The GO service is specifically designed to collect organic garden waste and promote resource recovery.

Can businesses or commercial entities participate in the GO service?

Businesses and commercial properties play an important part in recovering organic materials and Council is considering how they can be included in the future expansion of the GO service. 

Does the GO bin get picked up by a separate truck?

Yes, special GO bin trucks will collect your garden organics to be delivered to the dedicated resource recovery area to be processed into a suitable reusable product.

What if I have too much garden material for my GO bin?

If your household generates more garden organics, options may include: 

  • Applying for an additional GO bin
  • Taking your additional garden organics to a Council waste facility
  • Acquiring the services of a local green organics collector.  

Make a Go Bin lasagne

Sort your GO bin right by making a green GO bin lasagne.  

Ingredients: 

Dry garden organic material 

Wet garden organic material 

Method:  

  1. Place dry ingredients like twigs and small branches on the base.  

  1. Place your grass clippings over as these tend to be wet. 

  1. Cover with dry garden materials. 

  1. Make sure the lid closes and nothing is poking out.  

NOTE: materials must be placed loose in the bin and NOT in plastic bags or boxes. 

If you cannot find the answer to your questions on this page, contact Council on (07) 4970 0700.