On this page
- When to put your household rubbish bin out
- What can go in
- What cannot go in
- Putting your bins out
- Missed bin collection
- Report a bin issue
- Order new bins
- Change your bins
- Free extra rubbish bin
- How to reduce rubbish
- Request braille bin stickers
- E-waste
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
