How to use our waste and recycling centres

Conditions of entry

By entering one of our waste & recycling centres, you agree to follow these conditions(PDF, 277KB) and any directions from staff. All visitors must behave safely and treat others with respect. Staff may inspect your load. Please follow all signs and directions while you’re at the facility.

Aggressive or violent behaviour is not tolerated.

Failure to follow conditions may result in refusal of service, being asked to leave, restricted access or further enforcement action.

Access and identification

You may be asked to show proof that you live on the Gold Coast.

Accepted documents include:

• Queensland driver licence
• rates notice
• rental receipt
• utility bill.

Staff may also ask where the waste came from.

Waste from businesses, body corporates or outside the Gold Coast is treated as commercial waste and can only be accepted at Staplyton, Reedy Creek and Molendinar (green waste only) centres.

If you're bringing in waste on behalf of a body corporate or an investment property, it’s considered commercial waste and standard fees will apply.

Some of your information may be stored for operational purposes. Refer to our Privacy page for more information.

Sort your load

Sorting your load helps you move through the site faster and improves recycling.

Before you leave home

• Group similar items together
• Separate recyclables from general waste

How to load your vehicle

• Put general waste at the front
• Put recyclables, green waste and timber at the back so you can unload this first
• Always cover and secure your load

Unsecured or unsorted loads are unsafe and may cause delays.

Read our Sort your load fact sheet(PDF, 151KB)

Varied hours

Due to peak demand, there may be varied hours at some waste and recycling centres. Check the waste and recycling centres map before you visit.

To avoid delays:

• visit outside peak times (10am to 2pm, weekends and public holidays)
• please be kind and patient and allow extra time during busy periods.

Changes to accepted items

We've introduced changes to building material disposal at our waste and recycling centres. Molendinar, Reedy Creek and Stapylton now accept these materials for recycling:

• soil
• sand
• concrete
• brick
• tiles
• asphalt

For us to recycle your construction and demolition materials, you will need to:

• separate and sort your loads before you enter
• make sure your load is not contaminated by risky materials or asbestos.

If you think your load may contain materials containing asbestos, strict disposal rules apply. Reedy Creek and Stapylton landfills will accept these materials for disposal.

We ask that you read Disposal of asbestos for more information on the asbestos risk. It also explains how to safely dispose of asbestos containing material.

Commercial customers can continue to use weighbridge sites at Stapylton, Molendinar and Reedy Creek, however we strongly advise you separate and sort loads of soil, sand, concrete, brick, tile and asphalt to be recycled.

Residential gate fee conditions

A $5 gate fee applies for the disposal of any residential landfill or construction and demolition waste. Recycling and green waste remains free of charge.

The $5 gate fee applies to residential household waste that is:

• not commercial waste generated from any business or commercial activities
• waste from a Gold Coast residential property – you will need evidence of residency
• not a regulated domestic waste item, such as tyres and asbestos – such items incur a fee
• delivered in an eligible vehicle – sedan, van, small trailer or utility (no trucks) – and measure no more than:
  • mixed loads: maximum 2.1 x 1.5 metres and 60 centimetres in height
  • clean green waste: maximum 2.1 x 1.5 metres and 1 metre in height

Waste exceeding the above size limits will only be accepted at a landfill, and charged at the appropriate cost per tonne or part thereof.

Recyclable materials must be separated and placed in the supplied recycling areas.

Fee concessions for not-for-profit organisations

Local not-for-profit organisations can apply in writing for fee concessions for the disposal of waste from periodic clean ups. For more details, see our Waste disposal fees page.

What we take

All Gold Coast waste and recycling centres accept the following household waste and recyclables, except Pimpama, Currumbin and Springbrook:

• cardboard
• mixed recyclables (as put in yellow-topped recycling bins): aluminium and steel cans, paper, plastic and glass bottles
• empty gas bottles up to 9 kilograms
• general waste, including putrescible or rotting material
• lounges/couches of recyclable quality – please drop to Reedy Creek Waste and Recycling Centre recycling drop off centre if you can
• lounges/couches that are not recyclable quality – accepted at all centres except Numinbah
• mattresses – accepted at all centres except Numinbah
• scrap metal.

Separated loads of residential soil, sand, concrete, brick, tile and asphalt are only accepted at our 3 premium waste and recycling centres at Molendinar, Reedy Creek and Stapylton.

Visit Recycle right to find out where to take other items.

Waste and recycling centres map

Use our Waste and recycling centres map to locate your nearest centre and to find out which centres accept other items not listed above, such as tyres, paint and whitegoods.