Waste and recycling initiatives
Find information about current initiatives underway to improve waste management on the Gold Coast.
Let's Get it Sorted recycling program
This program aims to help residents in apartment buildings and complexes to improve recycling rates and reduce waste. Eligible buildings will receive a range of free recycling education materials, delivered free of charge to their residents.
If you are a building manager, body corporate representative or possess body corporate authority, complete the form below to check your building or complex's eligibility for the program. If you are an interested resident, please pass this form on to the relevant authority.
This initiative is supported by the Queensland Government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund.
Check eligibility
This initiative is supported by the Queensland Government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund.
Sort your load
To avoid waiting, get your things ready before you go and arrive early. Avoid the busy times from 10am to 2pm.
The following items are not permitted as part of the garden waste relaxed load limits:
- bags of any type (for example, garbage bags, compostable bags, bags made out of plastic or other materials)
- rocks
- soil
- landscaping items
- construction materials.
These items along with treated timber, batteries and oils can be recycled at various waste and recycling centres across the city. Check what materials are accepted at your local centre before you go. Load limits apply.
Find out more about how to use our waste and recycling centres.
Green organics bin
If you have a green organics bin , you can use it for garden clippings, cut grass, and leaves. Remember to keep your clippings loose – no plastic or compostable bags. Check your bin collection day at Find my bin day.
Fire ants
Fire ant biosecurity zones are in place to help prevent fire ants from spreading. View these zones on the Fire Ant Eradication map. To help stop the spread of fire ants, items from within the biosecurity zone can only be taken to the Stapylton, Molendinar and Reedy Creek waste and recycling centres. These centres are also inside the zone.
You can take green waste and other items from outside the biosecurity zone to any waste and recycling centre which accepts green organics.
It's up to all of us to stop the spread of fire ants. If you're moving materials and worried about fire ants, use the Material movement advice tool.
Get ready for storm and bushfire season
To help protect your family, home and pets, prepare in advance. Clean up your yard, trim your garden, remove items that can blow away and clear gutters. For excess green waste, you can use our green organics drop and go services.
Other ways to prepare in advance
- Know your risks – do you live in a flood or fire prone area?
- Make an emergency and evacuation plan
- Pack an emergency kit
- Subscribe to our Gold Coast alerts at dashboard.cityofgoldcoast.com.au
Learn more about how to prepare. Visit Get ready.
Other initiatives
With the guidance of our Towards Zero Waste Plan we are improving our waste management. Recent projects include:
- Introducing Recyclepedia, a guide on how to recycle household items. You can also find it on our app.
- Expansion of the green organics service to 77,000 more customers. We collect green organics bins every two weeks.
- Introduction and expansion of Recycle Street
- Upgrades to waste and recycling centres
- Larger recycling bins to suit residents' waste requirements
- Kerbside collection service for larger items. We aim to recycle or reuse more than 50% of the material we collect, not throw it away.
State Government initiatives