Brisbane City Council Green Waste Guide

Proper Green Waste Removal in Southeast Queensland

Recycling bins for green waste are a quick and efficient way to get rid of this type of waste from your garden and your backyard. A green bin can help you keep your outdoor area clear of pruning, clipping, and leaves, which may prove efficient during the storm season.

Green waste is usually collected on fortnights and disposed of at green waste recycling facilities. There, the green waste is turned into mulch and prepared for reuse in the garden. The Brisbane City Council used to charge a $30 fee for the recycling of green waste, but as of July 1st, 2019, that fee has been waived.  Find out more about the council fees and charges here.

Consideration for Green Waste Bin Applications 

Before you apply for a recycling bin at the Brisbane City Council, you must ensure that you have enough room on your property for the green waste bin. You should also make sure that there is enough space on the kerbside to place the bin for collection.

Typically, the Brisbane city council offers a maximum of two bins for every household. If you need more than two bins, you may put in a request and the council will assess whether you have solid grounds for that request or not.

The following units may apply for a green waste bin:

House Owners

Homeowners of single-unit dwellings may order a green waste bin for recycling, using their address or their rate account number. The latter is found on the rate account. You may also visit the Council directly or use the phone number 07-3403-8888. This way, you may arrange to have the green waste recycling bin delivered to you.

Unit Owners

If the establishment is a strata that is also occupied by the owner, then the owner may place an order for a green waste recycling bin. Once the application is made, the Brisbane city council will contact the owner to discuss matters such as where the bin will be placed or who will be there to present the bin upon collection time.

If the strata building has a body corporate or a building manager, they must also express their approval for the bin. As it’s the case with homeowners, multi-unit dwelling owners may contact the Brisbane City Council over the provided phone number or visit the council location directly.

Tenants

Tenants may also apply for a green waste recycling bin. However, they need to obtain the approval of the property owner first. It is not necessary for the owners themselves to be present, as long as they may be contacted for approval or can present an official signed approval letter.

Service Costs and Billing

A 240-litre green waste recycling bin has a quarterly charge of $22.32, with a final cost of $89.28 per year. The charges will show up on your rates account. The billing will start when the first collection takes place. When you apply for a green waste company, you need to submit for at least 12 months. After that point, you may cancel at any time you want.

Collection and Delivery of the Bin

The Brisbane City Council will deliver the green waste recycling bin within three days of placing your order. From that point on, it will be collected fortnightly – in other words, every two weeks. If you have a yellow-top recycling bin, the collecting personnel will alternate with that.

Service Transfer

You may transfer a green waste recycling bin from one property to another, or from one individual to another. It is necessary to contact the Brisbane City Council for that matter, as they may arrange for the transfer.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Waste in a Green Bin

Depending on the nature of the waste, certain items may or may not be added to a green waste bin. Acceptable waste includes organic waste that may be recycled into much, including:

• Tree and shrubs pruning
• Glass cleaning
• Palm fronds
• Loose bark
• Leaves
• Weeds
• Fallen twigs

It is not necessary to bag the green waste before placing it in the green waste bin. When placing the waste inside the bin, make sure that it isn’t longer than 75cm or wider than 10cm.

Keep in mind that certain items are unacceptable in a green bin, including:

• Recyclable waste (plastics or paper)
• General waste
• Kitchen waste (vegetable and fruit scraps included)
• Larger logs, stumps, or branches

Make sure not to add items that are larger than the specified dimensions. Otherwise, it can be difficult for the collecting truck to lift it. If you have significant amounts of green waste, then you may want to consider alternatives such as a skip bin hire service or a garden bag collection service.

The Bottom Line

A green waste recycling bin can help every homeowner remove the waste that is constantly piling up in the backyard or garden. As the organic matter is turned into mulch, it helps the process of keeping gardens vibrant and clean.