Bin collection

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Your green bin is collected weekly, while your yellow bin is collected fortnightly.

Your red bin can be collected either weekly or fortnightly. Follow the steps below to check your bin collection day.

Our WasteInfo App is the easiest way to keep track of your bin collection day and which bin to put out each week. 

Bins must be out by 6.00am on your collection day

Find your bin collection day

There are three easy steps to finding which day your bins are collected, and whether it’s red or yellow bin week: 

Step 1: Find your bin collection day

Open the list of street addresses for your area and find your street name. You’ll see a column indicating which day of the week your bins are emptied.

Port Macquarie street addresses(PDF, 918KB)
Surrounding Areas street addresses(PDF, 1MB)

Step 2: Check your week

Check whether your street address is allocated to Week 1 or Week 2. You can find this on the same list above, in the right hand column.

Step 3: See which bin to put out each week

Download the 2024 calendar below that matches which week you’ve been allocated. The colours on the calendar let you know which bin to put out on bin day. 

Week 1 Waste Collection Calendar(PDF, 52KB)
Week 2 Waste Collection Calendar(PDF, 52KB)

Collection standards

To ensure your bin is collected, make sure to:
  • Bins need to be out by 6.00am on your collection day 
  • Put the right materials in the right bin (see information on contamination control and penalties below)
  • Ensure bins do not weigh more than 75kg 
  • Lids must be closed
  • Remove bins from kerbside within 24 hours of collection
  • Place bins on the kerb facing the road and spaced at least 1 metre apart 
  • Do not put bins near trees or parked cars.

Contamination control

Placing the wrong materials in your bin can:

  • ruin compost
  • result in recyclables going to landfill
  • damage waste facilities and endanger staff
  • cost the community both environmentally and economically.

We take contamination incidents seriously and there are measures in place to monitor wrongdoings. Collection vehicles are fitted with a closed-circuit TV camera which films the bin as it empties. The driver records contamination incidents against the resident's address and a letter is sent to the resident. More than three incidents may result in a suspended service, and there is a fee to have your bin returned. Please ensure that you only place the correct materials in each bin, our helpful A-Z guide can guide you to place your items in the right bin.

Missed bin collection

If your bin was out by 6.00am and has not been collected please contact JR Richards on 1300 787 223. You can also drop off household items at any of our waste facilities.

Remote rural waste collection

A monthly waste collection service is provided for residents living in some rural locations with no bin services. This collection includes the pick-up of recycling (that would usually go in yellow bin) and household waste (that would usually go in red bin), but does not include green bin organic waste.

This collection happens on the last Saturday of the month at the following locations and times:

  • Byabarra Hall: between 8.30am and 10.30am
  • Ellenborough Reserve: between 11am and 1pm

Tips for fresher bins

  • Use the free compostable bags from Council for your food waste.  Try layering food waste with lawn and garden clippings in your green bin.
  • Keep lids shut and bins out of direct sunlight if possible.
  • Regularly clean your bins, bi-carb soda can help.
  • Tightly wrap, bag or double-bag nappies, sanitary waste and pet waste.
  • There are products available such as odour neutralising nappy bags and bin deodorisers that can help.