You need to enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to the main content

Home

Household rubbish bin collection

Find your bin day and learn what can and cannot go in your general waste bin.

On this page

When to put your household rubbish bin out

Your bins are emptied on the same day each fortnight, including all public holidays. Please leave your bin at the collection point by 6 am on your collection day.

Use our online tool to check when your household rubbish collection day is:

Find my bin day

Waste calendars

You can also download our waste calendars and view waste maps and zones of Knox:

What goes in your household rubbish bin

Use your yellow lid bin for:

  • household rubbish
  • tissues and paper towel
  • take-away coffee cups and lids
  • polystyrene and foam trays
  • soft plastic packaging including wrappers and cling film
  • nappies and personal sanitary items
  • glassware, Pyrex, mirrors and window glass - please wrap and label "glass"
  • plastic plant pots.

Food and garden waste

Council introduced a food and garden bin service in April 2023.

All households in Knox will have a green bin to dispose of food scraps along with green waste.

From July, we will collect the food and garden bin each week and the general rubbish bin each fortnight.

Find out more about the food and garden bin service.

What doesn’t go in your household rubbish bin

Do not use your yellow lid bin for:

  • batteries - they can cause fires in the collection truck
  • food and garden waste - put this in your food and garden bin
  • e-waste - anything with a plug, cord or battery
  • recyclables - put these in your recycling bin
  • timber, bricks, rubble, steel, or building/renovation materials
  • syringes
  • hot ashes - ensure they are completely cold
  • paint  - take to a free Paintback drop-off location
  • chemicals or hazardous materials - dispose of via Detox your home
  • fluids or liquids, including motor oil, pesticides, paints or solvents. 

View A-Z rubbish and recycling guide

Tips to reduce bin odours

  • Keep bins out of direct sunlight
  • Wash your bin regularly
  • Sprinkle bi-carb soda into your bin to neutralize smells
  • Make sure your lid closes properly and there are no cracks in the bin body
  • Pet owners can use a pet poo compost system rather than put it in the bin
  • If you have children in nappies, using reusable nappies can help reduce odour

Putting your bins out

When putting your bins out:

  • put them out before 6 am on collection day
  • return them to your property within 24 hours
  • place bins at least 50 cm apart
  • face wheels and handles away from the kerb
  • leave 1-metre clearance from obstacles, including cars, trees and light poles
  • close lids completely to prevent animals accessing the bins, and the wind blowing litter into the street
  • don't overfill (max weight 50 kg)
  • don't place rubbish beside your bin
  • in a court, place bins along the straight section.
Image

Missed bin collection

If your bin isn't collected by 6 pm on collection day, report it within 36 hours.

Check your bin day before reporting a missed collection.

Report a missed bin collection

Or call us on 9298 8000.

We aim to collect reported missed bins within 2 business days.

If you find a sticker on your bin or a notice in your letterbox, follow the directions on the sticker or notice.

Report a bin issue

If a bin at your property has been damaged, stolen or gone missing, you can report it online. 

Tenants, property owners and real estate agents can make these reports. Bins will be replaced at no extra cost.

We aim to complete requests within 5 business days.

Damaged bin

Use the online form to report a damaged bin.

Report a damaged bin

Stolen or missing bin

If your bin has been stolen or gone missing, you can report it online.

Report a stolen or missing bin

Order new bins

If you are the owner of a new property or find that you need extra bins at your property, you can make these requests online.

Only property owners or real estate agents can make these requests. Tenants should contact their landlord or agent.

We aim to complete requests within 5 business days.

Request a new bin service

If you are the owner of a new property, you can request a new bin service using our online form. 

Request a new bin service (new property)

Fees and charges for this service can be found on our bin fees page.

To understand how requesting a new bin service will affect your rates as a property owner, visit our About your rates page.

Order extra bins

If you find that you need an extra bin, you can order one using our online form.

Before ordering an extra bin consider ways to reduce your waste:

  • Food scraps - put your food scraps into your food and garden waste bin which is collected weekly. Visit our Food and Garden page to see what can and can't go into your green bin.
  • Recycling - are you putting items in your rubbish bin that can actually go in your recycling bin? Check our A-Z rubbish and recycling guide to see what can go in your recycling bin.
  • Nappies - if you are using disposable nappies, you can swap out some or all for reusable nappies to reduce your waste. Or see if you are eligible for a free extra rubbish bin.
  • Pet waste - if you have a lot of pet waste, there are discounted pet poo composting options which will reduce your waste.
  • Packaging - what kind of packaging are you putting in your rubbish bin? This could be reduced by using reusable bags when shopping and purchasing items with less packaging. Read more tips on how to reduce your rubbish.

 

Order additional bins

For information on the fees and charges for this service, visit our bin fees page.

To understand how an additional bin will affect your rates as a property owner, visit our About your rates page.

Change your bins

You can swap your bin size and cancel a bin online. 

These options are available if you find that you: 

  • aren't using a bin
  • need to upsize or downsize your rubbish bin.

Only property owners or real estate agents can make these requests. Tenants should contact their landlord or agent.

We aim to complete requests within 5 business days.

Swap your bin size

You can change your bin size if you find that you're:

  • never filling up your bin
  • always overfilling your bin
     

For a list of available bin sizes and the fees and charges associated with swapping your bin size, visit the bin fees page.

To understand how swapping your bin size will affect your rates as a property owner, visit our About your rates page.

Swap your bin size

When changing your bin size, leave the empty bin out after collection. We'll swap it the next day.

Cancel a bin

If you find that there's a bin on your property that you no longer need or use, you can cancel your bin online.

When cancelling a bin service, leave the empty bin out after collection. We'll collect it within 5 days.

Cancel a bin service

For information on the fees and charges for cancelling your bin, visit the bin fees page.

To understand how cancelling a bin service will affect your rates as a property owner, visit our About your rates page.

Free extra rubbish bin

You can apply for a free extra 120L rubbish bin if your household has:

  • extra medical waste needs
  • two or more children in disposable nappies (up to 6 years old).

We'll review your request within 10 business days and let you know by email or post. 

If approved, you'll get your new bin within 5 business days.

Apply for a free extra rubbish bin

For households with 2 or more children in disposable nappies

Provide these documents:

  • a photo of your Medicare card showing your dependents' names
  • date of birth of 2 youngest children in disposable nappies (up to 6 years old)
  • a utility bill or lease agreement if you're renting.

If approved, your free bin is granted for 3 years or until your circumstances change. You'll need to reapply after this period.

You won't qualify for a free extra bin if you have 2 children in disposable nappies and the oldest is 6 years old.

Example: 
If you have 3 children in disposable nappies under 6 years old, you can apply for a free extra bin.
When your oldest child turns 6, you still qualify because you still have 2 children under 6 in disposable nappies.
As soon your second child turns 6, you will no longer qualify for a free extra bin, as you no longer have 2 children under 6 in disposable nappies.

For households with medical needs

Provide these documents:

  • a letter from a GP or medical practitioner stating you have extra medical waste needs
  • a utility bill or lease agreement if you're renting.

The doctor's letter must explain:

  • the reason for the extra waste (such as packaging from treatment for an acute condition)
  • if the condition is ongoing or temporary.

If approved, your free bin is granted for 5 years or until your circumstances change. You'll need to reapply after this period.

Apply for a free extra bin

If you require an extra rubbish bin but don't meet the above criteria for a free bin, you can order extra bins online.

Renew your free extra rubbish bin

We'll send you a letter when it's time to renew. You'll need to prove you still qualify.

Renew my free extra bin

How long can I keep my extra bin?

  • households with children in disposable nappies: 3 years
  • households with medical waste needs: 5 years.

You must tell us if your circumstances change. You'll need to reapply and provide evidence when your period ends.

Cancel your free extra rubbish bin

You can cancel your free extra bin at any time.

When cancelling your free extra bin, leave the empty bin out after collection. We'll collect it within 5 days.

Cancel my free extra bin

Request braille bin stickers

Braille bin stickers are available to residents who are blind or have low vision. 

Stickers are available for the following bin types:

Recycling
Rubbish
Food and Garden

Stickers can be collected from Council’s customer service desk or mailed out directly. Contact [email protected] to enquire.

E-waste

Anything that uses batteries or a power cord is e-waste. Do not put e-waste in rubbish or recycling bins.

Find out more on our e-waste page.

How to reduce rubbish

If your rubbish bin is too full, consider:

  • Food scraps - put your food scraps into your food and garden waste bin which is collected weekly.
  • Recycling - are you putting items in your rubbish bin that can actually go in your recycling bin? Check our A to Z rubbish and recycling guide to see what can go in your recycling bin.
  • Packaging - what kind of packaging are you putting in your rubbish bin? This could be reduced by using reusable bags when shopping and purchasing items with less packaging.
  • Nappies - if you are using disposable nappies, you can swap out some or all for reusable nappies to reduce your waste.
  • Pet poo - if you have a lot of pet poo, there are discounted pet poo composting options which will reduce your waste.

Some other handy tips include:

  • Shop with a list so you buy only what you need and check your pantry before going to the supermarket.
  • Shop local and not online to reduce and avoid plastic packaging.
  • Take reusable bags to the supermarket.
  • Instead of cling wrap, use reusable food covers or containers.

If you are still struggling with excess rubbish, you have the option to upsize your rubbish bin or order an additional rubbish bin for a fee.

Need help?

Contact us and we will get back to you.

Or call our Customer Service team on 9298 8000.

Our services

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter

Subscribe
subscribe icon