12 ways for Brisbane households to minimise waste

Use your green bin, recycle smarter, and reuse items. Small changes reduce waste and keep Brisbane clean and sustainable.

1. Give your garden a green waste clean-up

Use our green waste recycling service to keep your garden looking great for visiting friends and family. Council now includes green bins in its standard kerbside collection service. Use these bins for lawn clippings, prunings and leaves.

Remember to tidy your garden year-round to prepare for severe weather.

2. Upgrade your yellow recycling bin

Order a bigger yellow bin to give you enough space for extra recycling. 

3. Turn your lunch into your garden’s brunch!

Let the scraps from lunch or dinner keep your garden growing by setting up a compost system or worm farm. Take advantage of Council’s Compost Rebate program to help pay for your new set-up. Share the love by turning food scraps into nutrient-rich soil at a community composting hub.

4. Clean up with waste vouchers

Use your waste vouchers at Council's resource recovery centres to clean up the yard, shed, and garage.

Waste vouchers can cover the cost of general and green waste disposal. Conditions apply.

5. Enjoy free recycling at our resource recovery centres

Have the kids turned large cardboard boxes (packages and appliance boxes) into rocket ships or makeshift cubbies? Once they've had their fun, drop the boxes off for free at Council's resource recovery centres.

6. Stand out from the crowd with second-hand style

If you are hosting parties this year, skip single-use items. Instead, decorate your table with dishes and glassware from Council’s Treasure Troves. While you’re there, look out for any bargains, extra cutlery or gift ideas for your family and friends. They’re open every weekend from 8am to 4pm, with stores located in Geebung and Acacia Ridge.

7. Repair and reuse those Christmas decorations

Make your Christmas decorations special keepsakes for years by packing them carefully. You can also repaint and restyle old or mismatched decorations. While you're at it, re-use wrapping paper and gift bags.

8. Never put batteries in bins

Let's keep ourselves and our collection drivers safe this year by keeping batteries out of bins. Place used batteries in a glass jar or container at home. Then take them to a resource recovery centre or a B-cycle drop-off point. This ensures safe disposal and recycling.

9. Rain, hail or shine – your bin collection will still happen

We will collect you bin all year round. Even on public holidays. Ask a friend or neighbour to put your bin out or bring it in on collection day.

10. Download the Brisbane Bin and Recycling app

Download the Brisbane Bin and Recycling app. The A–Z disposal guide helps you put the right item in the right bin at home or in Council parks.

11. Be a recycling hero

Cards, wrapping paper, tubes, cans and bottles can go in your household yellow bin. You can also put glass, cardboard, rigid plastic (no soft plastics), steel and aluminium in this bin.

12. Use sustainable gift wrapping

Give 2 gifts in one by reusing scarves or fabric to wrap gifts for any upcoming celebrations.

Are you ready to become a waste warrior?

Minimising waste saves you money, reduces clutter and helps protect Brisbane’s environment. Start with one tip today and enjoy a cleaner, greener home and community.