Kerbside Collection: What to Do With Green Waste

Residents will have another opportunity to discard their bulky unwanted items as Kerbside Collection rolls into Kedron. But how do we get rid of green waste? Here are some tips.



First of all, here is a rundown of the items that you can and cannot place on the kerb for the November 13 kerbside collection:

Acceptable ItemsUnacceptable Items
bath and laundry tubscommercial builders waste
bicycles and sporting equipmentcar parts and tyres, including car batteries
carpet and rugsdirt and stones
electronic waste (e.g. televisions and computers)garden waste (e.g. hoses, rakes, potted plants)
furniture and white goods (e.g. fridges and stoves)gas bottles
small household appliances (e.g. fans and toasters)general household waste (e.g. food scraps)
wood products less than 1.5 metresglass and mirrors
 hazardous wastes (e.g. chemicals, oil, asbestos)
household waste that normally goes into your waste or recycling bin
liquids
bricks and concretebatteries of any kind (including car, rechargeable and lithium batteries)
bean bags (including the polystyrene bean filling)

Here are some important things to remember:

  • Large household items for collection should be on the kerbside in front of your home not earlier than one week before your suburb’s schedule. Also, all items should be on the kerb no later than 6:00 a.m. on Kerbside Collection Day.
  • If you are going to discard an electronic device such as your mobile phone, tablet or laptop, make sure to delete all data to prevent identity theft. 
  • Keep your pile tidy on the kerb.
  • Piles larger than two cubic metres will not be collected.
  • Refrigerator and cupboard doors should be removed.
  • Never leave sharp or any dangerous objects on the footpath
  • Make sure that the items you discard can be easily lifted by two people
  • If you expect severe weather conditions, make sure that your items for disposal are well secured.

What is Green Waste?

Green waste generally includes garden waste such as plants, trees, lawn clippings and palm fronds. Illegal dumping of green waste and organic waste including food scraps, or soil in natural areas, waterways and other land can have serious environmental consequences and can cost the government millions of dollars to clean up.

Some of the potential negative effects of illegal dumping include:

  • introducing pest plants that can outcompete native plant species, smothering them and overtaking natural areas infesting and blocking watercourses, contaminating waterways and smothering surfaces of creeks and lakes 
  • introducing pest animals or diseases into new areas, such as yellow crazy ants, fire ants, and myrtle rust blocking forest tracks and fire trails in natural areas that risk the lives of firefighters and members of the public 
  • creating increased bush fire fuel loads or ignition sources attracting wildlife to roadsides to feed on organic waste, and increasing the likelihood they will be hit by cars.

What to do with green waste

  • recycling your green waste by composting reduces waste to landfill and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • composting produces useful materials that can be put back into your garden to improve soil health
  • using green waste as a mulch around your garden can protect soils from erosion, reduce weeds and plant stress, and can help to prevent water evaporation from the soil.

Alternatively, you can:

  • take your green waste to your local waste transfer station
  • some councils provide free green waste disposal, free green waste days or may have vouchers for green waste disposal
  • request a green waste recycling bin from your local council (where applicable) or local garden waste removal company
  • rental tenants should approach their rental manager, local councillor or Department of Housing office to request dumping vouchers, or enquire about what services are available

Incidentally, Brisbane City Council invites residents to drop off palm fronds, weeds, tree and shrub prunings, loose bark and grass clippings to any one of our four resource recovery centres as part of its bushfire preparedness plan.

On 11 to 12, November 2023, Nudgee Resource Recovery Centre, located at 1372 Nudgee Road, Nudgee Beach, is open from 6.30 am to 5.45 pm daily to accept your green waste.



Published 23-October-2023

Emergency ‘Kerbside Collection’ for Flood-Damaged Items Underway

As clean-up efforts commence in Kedron and many parts of Brisbane, an emergency collection will also be underway to pick up heaps of flood-damaged items from many homes.



For this emergency collection, residents are allowed to leave their flood waste and damaged items by the kerb as Brisbane City Council rolls out their free collection as of 1 March 2022.

This is not part of the regular Kerbside Collection program. It is a separate initiative meant to be part of Brisbane’s clean up and recovery efforts.

Cr Fiona Hammond’s office is providing information on the pick-up coverage and assistance on how to get on the list if you are not in it.

According to Council, delivery of new bins to those who require them will be prioritised as well to ensure that the locals have somewhere to dispose of their rubbish.

If able, residents are also encouraged to take their flood-related rubbish at Council’s four resource recovery centres in Nudgee Beach, Willawong, Chandler, and Ferny Grove free of charge. Locals may also get in touch with their local officials for further assistance in case the collectors have yet to come by their streets. 

“We are gearing up to work our way across the city to help clean up where it is safe to do so,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.  

“In order to prioritise the collection of flood-affected material, all general kerbside collection has been temporarily paused.”



“However, there are still many areas along the Brisbane River that are expected to experience more flooding as the tide rises and falls. If your property is in an area that experiences river flooding, please delay the clean-up until it is safe to do so.”

Photo Credit: AdrianSchrinner/Facebook

Meanwhile, the Kedron-Wavell Services Club is one of two main evacuation sites for displaced residents. The other evacuation centre is at Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler. Locals may phone 3403 8888 for further assistance regarding the temporary shelter.

Residents may also sign up for Mud Army 2.0. If you want to take part, register as an emergency volunteer. If you or your neighbours have been impacted by floodwaters, the Mud Army 2.0 will be deployed in your location. You should also register to get help. 

Kedron Kerbside Collection Coming Up: When is It Time to Throw Out Old Furniture and Appliances?

The kerbside collection for Kedron will be on 26 August 2019. If you’re participating in this year’s collection, you still have enough time to prepare your large unwanted items in time for your scheduled date. 

But how will you know when it’s time to finally say goodbye to your old furniture or appliances? 

It’s not so easy to just get rid of them, especially if it’s cherished family heirloom. To make it easier on your part, here are some clear indications that you probably need a new one.

Fridges

Does your food rapidly spoil when you put it in your fridge? If it begins to smell bad earlier than it normally would, it means your fridge can no longer maintain its temperature. It’s a big waste of money  since you will not only be forced to throw away food but also pay more for bills since your fridge uses more energy that way.

Photo credit: Pexels/Pixabay

Another indication that your fridge needs a replacement is if it condenses excessively. Mildew or water droplets on the rubber sealing around the door can be fixed depending on the damage but it can be quite expensive. If the refrigerator is over a decade old and has multiple faulty parts, chances are you need a new one.

Brisbane City Council accepts fridges and refrigerators given that their doors are removed. You can get rid of your old fridge as long as it can be easily and safely lifted by two people. 



Couches

Does your couch have a creaking sound whenever someone sits there? It’s a sign of structural damage perhaps in the spring or on the frame. Aside from structural damage, you should also keep an eye on the padding and cushions. If the upholstery already looks awful, it’s better to replace it than spend a huge amount of money on reupholstering.

Sporting equipment

Bicycles with cracks usually go to landfill. But this should not always be the case. A carbon-fibre frame is repairable. The repair costs range from $200-$500 but you eventually have to spend a bit more for complicated fixes. If the bike can be easily repaired, you can donate it than throw it away.

Photo credit: danfador/Pixabay

BCC encourages residents to look for other resource recovery options to contribute to a cleaner and greener city. Organisations like GIVIT and NACRO accept bike donations. You can recycle your bike and even take it to a local bike recycling facility if it can’t be fully repaired. 

For a list of all acceptable items, visit the Brisbane City Council website or download the Brisbane Bin and Recycling app to receive free reminders before your kerbside collection.



Kerbside Collection in Kedron: Dump it or GIVIT

Kedron is next up for BCC’s kerbside collection pick-up on Monday, the 21st of August. It’s the time of the year again to get rid of those unwanted items inside your home that are just too big for the wheelie bins. Thinking about what to do with those items that you no longer need but seem to have a few good uses left in them?

 

One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure

Photo credit: www.nationalstorage.com.au

Old blankets, rugs, and carpets; coffee makers, fans, and refrigerators that just need a little tinkering; sofas that need new upholstery to be reborn; faded cupboards and wooden furniture that are still usable; all of these can be placed on the kerbside.

However, one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure. Why don’t you save these items from getting dumped and donate the items to charity?

According to the February 2017 NAB Charitable Giving Index, total charitable giving fell in Queensland by 2.5% over the year course since February 2016. This has made Queensland the lowest of all the states in terms of total donations.

Kedron residents who have usable items among their planned kerbside piles can show that their giving hearts by checking out charities that accept item donations.

 

GIVIT

Photo credit: GIVIT – Goods For Good Cause/Facebook

“We match generosity with genuine need.” — GIVIT

GIVIT is a national non-profit virtual organisation founded by CEO Juliette Wright. They support all agencies, services, and charities in Australia to store, sort out, and distribute the donations to specific individuals or communities who exactly need the items.

This virtual organisation is currently supporting over 1,240 charities and community service providers all over Australia. The Kedron-based charities Cystic Fibrosis Queensland and Meals On Wheels are just two of the charities that GIVIT supports.

 

How to Donate?

Photo credit: GIVIT – Goods For Good Cause/Facebook

Interested donors can check the list of the items needed by other people and the charities. Some of the items that are often needed are the blankets, rugs, toys, beddings, and some kinds of big furniture or appliances.

GIVIT does not deliver or pick-up items, but they can provide the recipient’s contact details of people who can help you sort out the transportation and delivery of the items.

Donors can also pledge the items into the virtual warehouse by registering every item on their website with specifications on the delivery preferences. Just be mindful of the list of prohibited items to avoid inconvenience.

 

Recycle to Donate

Photo credit: www.nationalstorage.com.au

You can donate as much as you can, but make sure these items are usable. People in need deserve to receive quality items, too. Charitable institutions do not accept defective items that are worn out, because they don’t receive funding from the government to refurbish these items.

Recycle and refurbish the items you think that other people can still use. Recycling can also be great QT for the whole family. The kids will want to get their hands involved in this creative activity.

 

No Time to Recycle?

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

If recycling is not your thing or if you simply have no time to make it your thing, BCC has another option on how to get rid of your clutter. The Resource Recovery Centre is open for both recyclable and green or general waste. The centres are located at Nudgee, Willawong, Ferny Grove, and Chandler.

The centres turn over all recyclable items that they receive to the tip shops in Acacia Ridge and Geebung. The tip shops are operated by the Endeavour Foundation, one of the largest non-government organisations in the country that helps people with disabilities.

Items for sale includes household furnishings, collectables, books, and toys. The shops are only open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All of the proceeds are reinvested back into providing assistance to people with disabilities.

Photo credit: Peter Organisciak/Flickr

By donating, you can get rid of your unwanted items and help people in need at the same time. Kerbside Collection only happens once a year, but donating can happen anytime. Plan your piles and look at what you consider to be “trash.” See if you should dump it or GIVIT.