Find information about current initiatives underway to improve waste management on the Gold Coast.
Get ready for storm and bushfire season
Relaxed load limits for garden waste
From 1 December 2023 to 31 January 2024 we are relaxing load limits for clean residential garden waste. You can use this option to clean up your property and get ready for storm and bushfire season.
Garden waste includes loose branches, palm fronds and general garden prunings.
During the busy holidays, you can drop off your garden waste at our larger recycling centres. This will help you avoid delays.
You can also use other waste and recycling centres which accept green organics. But these smaller centres can get crowded during holidays.
Our facilities are open from 7am to 4:40pm every day over the holiday season except Christmas day. Molendinar Waste and Recycling Centre opens from 6:30am to 4:15pm.
This is our busy period and operating times may change, so check our opening hours before you leave home and avoid peak periods between 10am to 2pm.
For locations, opening hours and accepted materials visit our Waste & recycling centres map.
What is a 'relaxed load limit'?
The rules for a relaxed load size only apply to clean green waste from residential customers. You might need to show ID with a street address to prove you live on the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast residents can bring in extra green waste for free under the relaxation policy until 31 January 2024.
The following are examples of a 'relaxed load' size:
- Ute load
- Trailer load
- Ute and trailer load together
- Back of a small truck (less than 4.5 tonne vehicle).
Note: The relaxation does not apply to heavy vehicles. Commercial customers and visitors to the Gold Coast are not eligible for the relaxation. Normal load charges apply. For more information, refer to Waste disposal fees.
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 (e.g. 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 and Molendinar 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
You can help to protect your family, home and pets by preparing in advance.
- Know your risks – do you live in a flood or fire prone area?
- Prepare your home – clean up your yard, trim your garden, remove items that can blow away and clear gutters
- 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 Solid Waste Strategy 2024 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