Where does it all go?

A-Z waste guide

There are many options to dispose of unwanted items; it often doesn't have to go in to your waste and recycling bins at all.

Use this A-Z overview to find items and the different possibilities for managing your waste.

Simply search the list below!

Item	Description	Bin
Aerosol cans (empty)	Recycle Right into the yellow lid bin - remove the plastic caps and nozzle and dispose these items in your waste bin.
Aluminium cans	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin.
Aluminium foil (clean)	Recycle Right into your yellow bin - consolidate clean aluminium foil, trays and tubes and scrunch into the size of a tennis ball.
Animal droppings	Securely wrap and place in your waste bin. Use chicken, sheep, cow or horse manure in the garden or compost bin. Dog and cat droppings are not recommended to be used in garden compost bins or worm farms as they can contain harmful bacteria.
Asbestos (loads < 175 kg)	There are strict conditions associated with the disposal of asbestos. DO NOT place in any kerbside bin or mix with other waste types - disposing of asbestos in this manner is illegal. Domestic loads of asbestos <175kgs can be taken to Portsmith Transfer Station. Conditions apply.
Baby Wipes (wet wipes, sanitary wipes) - flushable and non flushable	Dispose in your waste bin.
Balloons	Dispose in your waste bin.
Balloon helium gas canisters	This material is classed as hazardous waste - gas bottles up to 9kgs only can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. BOC and air liquide bottles are not accepted and should be returned to suppliers.
Batteries (household)	Domestic quantities up to 5kgs can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. Free drop off points are also located at Cairns Libraries. Visit 'B-Cycles' Webpage for further information about Australian Battery Recycling & additional drop-off locations.
Batteries (car, lead acid batteries)	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling.
Bottles (Hard Plastic)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin.
Books	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin if unusable. If in good condition drop off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations or donate to a charity or other community group.
Bottle tops and caps	Dispose of these items in your waste bin or consider donating to child care facilities for reuse in art and craft projects. Consider opportunities for Specialist Recycling.
Boxes (cardboard)	Recycle Right into the yellow lid bin - squash and flatten first. Clean cardboard only, remove food scraps or oily/soiled sections.
Bubble wrap	Dispose in your waste bin.
Building materials	Take to Portsmith and Smithfield Transfer Stations. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Bricks	Take to Portsmith and Smithfield Transfer Stations. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Car parts	Car parts made predominately of metal are free to dispose at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations as scrap metal - all fluids must be drained
Cardboard boxes	Recycle Right into the yellow lid bin - squash and flatten first. Clean cardboard only, remove food scraps or oily/soiled sections.
Carpet & Carpet underlay	Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. Fees may apply, view the Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Cartridges (printer/toner)	Take your used printer cartridges (Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, Konica Minolta, Kyocera, Lexmark, Roland, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba & Dell only) for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Station as a part of the Cartridges for Planet Ark specialist recycling program.
Cassette & VHS tapes	Consider specialist recycle programs such as Terracycle Zero Waste Boxes.
Ceiling fans	Take to Portsmith and Smithfield Transfer Stations. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
CD & DVD cases	Dispose in your waste bin if unusable. If in good condition drop off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations
CD & DVD discs	Dispose in your waste bin if unusable. If in good condition drop off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations or consider donating good condition authentic albums & software to charity groups. Unauthorised music/software discs can be recycled via specialist recycling programs such as Terracycle Zero Waste Boxes. Broken discs can be disposed in your waste bin.
Cellophane	Dispose in your waste bin if unusable.
Cereal box inserts	Dispose in your waste bin.
Cereal boxes	Recycle Right into the yellow lid bin - squash and flatten first. Clean cardboard only, remove food scraps or oily/soiled sections.
Chemicals (domestic)	This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment.
China / ceramics / crockery	Dispose in the waste bin if unusable. If in good condition these items can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations.
Chip packets	Dispose in your waste bin.
Cigarette butts	Dispose in your waste bin.
Cigarette packets	Remove the outer plastic and inner foil (placing in the waste red lid bin) before placing the cardboard box into your yellow lid bin.
Cling wrap	Dispose in your waste bin.
Clothing, fabrics & shoes	Dispose in the waste bin if unusable. If in good condition drop off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations or donate to a charity or other community group
Coat hangers	Dispose in the waste bin if unusable. If in good condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations.
Coffee cups & lids (disposable)	Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively some disposable coffee cups can be returned to participating stores for recycling as part of the simple cups program.
Coffee grounds	Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively add to your compost, use as a soil conditioner or sprinkle around the garden to keep bugs at bay
Coffee pods	Dispose in your waste bin, alternatively consider specialist recycling programs.
Computers, components, accessories	Take up to 15 items for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations as a part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.
Condoms	Dispose in your waste bin.
Containers (plastic)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse first. Comingled recycling can also be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale or Babinda Transfer Stations.
Corks	Reuse where possible, dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively corks can be recycled via specialist recycling programs such as Terracycle Zero Waste Boxes.
Cosmetic jars (plastic)	Clean plastic jars larger than a credit card size can be Recycled Right into your yellow lid bin. Smaller items & those made from ceramic/glass must be disposed in your waste bin. Alternatively beauty products can also be recycled via specialist recycling programs such as Terracycle Zero Waste Boxes.
Cotton wool buds/balls/tips	Dispose in your waste bin.
Egg cartons	Consider reusing before Recycling Right into your yellow lid bin - squash and flatten first. Clean cardboard only, remove food scraps or oily/soiled sections.
Electrical appliances	Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Station for disposal to landfill. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). - If in reusable condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for resale at the Buy Back Shop or consider donating to a charity organisation. Note, the reusable condition of items is determined at the time of entry by the transfer station attendants. Fees may apply for items that do not meet condition criteria.
Envelopes (with/without windows)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin.
E-cigarettes (prescription)	Do not dispose of batteries in your kerbside bins. Batteries in kerbside bins cause fires in collection vehicles and at waste processing facilities. - Prescription e-cigarettes can be returned to the pharmacist for safe disposal through Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM Project). - Single-use vapes are not accepted for disposal through the RUM Project. Take single-use vapes to your nearest transfer station for disposal to landfill.
Fats (household) oils and grease	This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment & recycling.
Fire extinguishers	This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. Fire extinguishers up to 9kgs only can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale or Babinda Transfer Stations. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Flares	This material is not accepted at Council Transfer Stations view information on the correct disposal of this material.
Food scraps (fruit, vegetables, meat)	Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively avoid food waste by planning ahead and reusing leftovers, add to your compost or worm farm, or feed to your pets (note some animals cannot tolerate certain types of food - check with your veterinarian first)
Fuel (petrol, diesel)	This material is not accepted at Council Transfer Stations. By appointment only this material may be disposed of via local contractors NQ Resource Recovery/Cleanaway.
Furniture	If in reusable condition items can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. If unusable fees and charges may apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Garden/green waste (small)	Small amounts of green waste can be disposed in your waste bin - bin weight must be less than 70kgs and bin lid must be able to close.
Garden/green waste (large)	Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations to be recycled into a mulch material. Fees may apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). Council also offers four free disposal periods for domestic green waste each year. Dates and locations are published on Council's website and My Cairns App.
Gas bottles	This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. Gas bottles up to 9kgs only can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. BOC and Air Liquide bottles are not accepted and should be returned to suppliers.
Glass bottles & jars (no lids)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin. Consider reuse and re-purposing around the home first.
Glasses (spectacles)	If damaged dispose in your waste bin. If usable consider donating to those in need view Community Spectacle Recycling Programs.
Hair (human and animal)	Dispose in your waste bin.
Hand towels (paper)	Dispose in your waste bin.
Hose - garden hose, piping	If unusable cut into smaller pieces and dispose in your waste bin. If in good condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations.
Ice cream containers (clean)	Recycle Right into your yellow bin - rinse.
Jar lids - plastic & metal	Dispose in your waste bin. Consider reuse potential or donation to community groups.
Icy pole sticks	Dispose in your waste bin.
Ipads, Ipods, Iphones	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling.
Jars (no lids)	Recycle Right into your yellow bin. Consider reuse and re-purposing around the home first.
Juice cartons (no lids)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin.
Junk mail	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove rubber bands.
Kitty litter	Securely wrap and dispose in your waste bin.
Laminated paper	Dispose home/office laminated paper in your waste bin. If laminate can be removed, dispose the plastic sheet in your waste bin and the paper can be Recycled Right into your yellow lid bin.
Light bulbs & tubes	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. Wrap small quantities of other types and dispose in your waste bin
Linen - Towels, bedding, curtains	Dispose in the waste bin if unusable. If in good condition drop off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations or donate to a charity or other community group.
Lolly wrappers	Dispose in your waste bin .
Long life cartons - juice & milk (no lids)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids.
Magazines	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin.
Margarine containers (clean)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse or wipe out.
Mattresses	Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for disposal to landfill. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Meat, seafood, shells and bones	Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively avoid food waste by planning ahead and reusing leftovers, add to your compost or worm farm, or feed to your pets (note some animals cannot tolerate certain types of food - check with your veterinarian first).
Meat trays - foam	Dispose in your waste bin. Consider purchasing meat products on recyclable trays.
Meat trays - plastic (clean)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove plastic film, absorbent material and rinse first.
Medications	Check with your local pharmacy or chemist for disposal options. Refer to https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/medicines/ . Be aware Hazardous Wastes can not be disposed of in the general waste bin as they are harmful to human health and the environment.
Milk bottles (no lids)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids.
Milk cartons	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids.
Mirror glass	If damaged place smaller quantities in your waste bin or take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for disposal to landfill. Fees apply. If unbroken framed mirror glass/vanity can be accepted free, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Mobile phones & accessories	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling as a part of Mobile Muster. Alternatively find your nearest drop off location at Mobile Muster drop off locations in Cairns.
Motor oil (domestic)	This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment & recycling.
Motor oil containers (rinsed)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse first.
Nappies (cloth)	Dispose in your waste bin, alternatively reuse as cleaning rags.
Nappies (disposable)	Dispose in your waste bin.
Newspaper	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin.
Oil - motor & cooking (domestic)	This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment & recycling.
Paint & paint containers	This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment & recycling. Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale Transfer Stations are also drop off locations for Paintback scheme.
Pallets - wooden & plastic	Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Paper - office, flyers, brochures	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin.
Paper - shredded	Dispose in your waste bin, alternatively add to your compost.
Paper - soiled	Dispose in your waste bin.
Paper towel	Dispose in your waste bin.
Pet food tins	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse or wipe out and dispose of the ring pull or lid in your waste bin.
Pizza boxes (clear off scraps)	Recycle Right into the yellow lid bin - squash and flatten first. Clean cardboard only, remove food scraps or oily/soiled sections.
Plant cuttings & pruning	Small amounts of green waste can be disposed in your waste bin - bin weight must be less than 70kgs and bin lid must be able to close. Take large quantities to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations to be recycled into a mulch material - fees and charges apply. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ). Council also offers four free disposal periods for domestic green waste each year. Dates and locations are published on Council's website and My Cairns App.
Plant pots - plastic (clean)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove any soil or garden waste.
Plastic - compostable (PLA)	Dispose in your waste bin.
Plastic bags	Dispose in your waste bin.
Plastic cups, plates and cutlery - disposable	Dispose in your waste bin. Consider how to reduce this type of material through alternate reusable options.
Plastic strapping	Dispose in your waste bin.
Plastic wrappers	Dispose in your waste bin.
Polystyrene	Dispose in your waste bin.
Poppers & other tetra packs	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids and straws, ensure completely empty of any liquid.
Power cables	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. Alternatively, dispose in your waste bin.
Power tools	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for repurposing. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Pool chemicals	This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be dropped off for free at Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment.
Poo (animal droppings)	Securely wrap and place in your waste bin. Use chicken, sheep, cow or horse manure in the garden or compost bin. Dog and cat droppings are not recommended to be used in garden compost bins or worm farms as they can contain harmful bacteria.
Punnets (clean)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - no food scraps.
Produce stickers (on fruit)	Dispose in your waste bin.
Ring pull lids - canned foods	Dispose in your waste bin - items smaller than a credit card size cannot be recycled.
Rope	If unusable cut into smaller pieces and dispose in your waste bin. If in good condition take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Sanitary items	Dispose in your waste bin
Scrap metal	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling.
Shampoo bottles (no lids)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids & pump mechanism and dispose these into your waste bin.
Shoes (Sports & Active Footwear)	If in poor condition can be disposed of in your waste bin. If in good condition consider donation through local charities. Sports & Active footwear (rubber sole shoes only) can also be recycled through participating local Retailers (as part of the 'Treadlightly recycling program'). Currently participating stores include Athlete’s Foot Cairns, Converse Cairns, Rebel Cairns.
Smoke alarms	Individual or small numbers of ionisation or photoelectric smoke alarms can be safely disposed in your waste bin - remove the battery first and recycle the battery.
Soft drink bottles & cans (no lids)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids.
Soil	This material is not accepted at our Transfer Stations, consider giving away locally
Solvents	This material is classed as Hazardous Waste. Domestic household quantities of hazardous waste - 20 litres/kgs or less - can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for environmentally safe treatment & recycling.
Steel cans & tins (eg food cans)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse or wipe out containers, dispose of the ring pull or lid in your waste bin.
Straws - disposable	Dispose in your waste bin. Consider reusable or compostable alternatives if you need to use straws and consider donating purchased, unused straws to child care facilities or schools for reuse in arts and craft projects.
Syringes & needles	Dispose of this item for free at Portsmith and Smithfield - NEVER place sharps into the recycle or waste bin - even if it is in a sharps container.
Tablet, medications, pills	Check with your local pharmacy or chemist for disposal options. Refer to https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/medicines/. Be aware Hazardous Wastes can not be disposed of in the general waste bin as they are harmful to human health and the environment.
Tablet, Tablet device	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling.
Takeaway containers - plastic (clean)	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse or wipe out containers, remove lids if smaller than a credit card, no food scraps.
Tea bags	Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively investigate tea bag ingredients and consider using as fertiliser or adding to compost system.
Televisions, TV	Take up to 15 items for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations as a part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.
Timber - Treated	Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for disposal to landfill. Fees apply based on volume, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Timber - Untreated	If in good condition, this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for reuse/recycling or consider donating to a charity organisation. View the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Tissues	Dispose in your waste bin.
Toilet paper rolls	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove any tissue paper.
Toothbrushes & toothpaste tubes	Dispose in your waste bin, alternatively you can drop off these materials to participating Terracycle Oral Products Recycling centres here in Cairns.
Toys	Dispose in your waste bin if unusable. If in good condition this item can be taken for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations.
Tyres	Take up to 5 tyres per visit (including tyres on rims) to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Vegetable scraps including pasta and rice	Dispose in your waste bin. Alternatively avoid food waste by planning ahead and reusing leftovers, add to your compost or worm farm, or feed to your pets (note some animals cannot tolerate certain types of food - check with your veterinarian first).
Vape batteries	Do not dispose of batteries in your kerbside bins. Batteries in kerbside bins cause fires in collection vehicles and at waste processing facilities. - Tape the terminals of your batteries with clear tape to prevent the risk of fire. - Take removed vape batteries to your nearest free battery recycling drop off point located in many major retailers. Head to https://bcycle.com.au to find your nearest location. - Vape batteries can also be taken for free to Council Transfer Stations and selected libraries for recycling. Go to our website for further. information: https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/water-waste-roads/waste-and-recycling/facilities/accepted-items.
Vapes (single use)	- Do not dispose of single-use vapes in your kerbside bins. Single-use vapes in kerbside bins cause fires in collection vehicles and at waste processing facilities - Take single-use vapes to your nearest transfer station for disposal to landfill. Fees apply - refer to the Transfer Station fees and charges.
Waxed cardboard/paper	Dispose in your waste bin - waxed paper cannot be recycled.
White goods	Take for free to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for recycling.
Window glass	Dispose in your waste bin. Take to Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda Transfer Stations for disposal to landfill. Fees apply, view the list of Items accepted and disposal fees at Transfer Stations ( PDF, 0.02 MB ).
Wine bottles - no lids	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - remove lids.
X-ray films	Dispose in your waste bin or send to specialist x-ray film recyclers.
Yoghurt containers (clean) no lids	Recycle Right into your yellow lid bin - rinse or wipe out containers, remove lids if smaller than a credit card, no food scraps.

Last Updated: 5 January 2024

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