Mareeba Shire Waste Services Guide
Everything you need to know about waste collection, recycling, and transfer stations in Mareeba Shire.
Kerbside Wheelie Bin Collection
Most properties in urban areas of Mareeba Shire receive regular kerbside waste collection services. Collection day depends on your location.
Green Lid Bin - General Waste
Collected: Weekly
General household waste, non-recyclable materials
Accepted:
- • Food scraps and packaging
- • Plastic bags and soft plastics
- • Non-recyclable items
- • Dirty or contaminated materials
Yellow Lid Bin - Recycling
Collected: Fortnightly
Clean, dry recyclable materials only
Accepted:
- • Paper and cardboard
- • Glass bottles and jars
- • Plastic bottles and containers
- • Steel and aluminium cans
Collection Schedule Tips
- •Place bins at kerbside by 6:00am on collection day
- •Ensure bin lids can close completely (no overflowing)
- •Keep bins at least 1 meter apart and clear of obstacles
- •Check your rates notice or Council website for your specific collection day
What NOT to Put in Your Bins:
- ✗ Hot ashes or coals
- ✗ Medical or hazardous waste
- ✗ Batteries and e-waste
- ✗ Gas bottles or chemicals
- ✗ Building materials or concrete
- ✗ Green waste (use transfer station)
- ✗ Large furniture or whitegoods
- ✗ Tyres or automotive waste
These items must be taken to a transfer station. See fees section below.
Transfer Stations (Tips/Dumps)
Mareeba Shire operates several transfer stations where you can dispose of waste that doesn't fit in your wheelie bins.
Mareeba Transfer Station
Main facility - Full services including Buy Back Shop
Location
Vaughan Street, Mareeba
(Off Chewko Road)
Opening Hours
Monday - Sunday
8:00am - 4:00pm
Closed Christmas Day & Good Friday
Services Available:
- ✓ General waste disposal
- ✓ Green waste disposal
- ✓ Recycling drop-off
- ✓ E-waste collection
- ✓ Scrap metal collection
- ✓ Buy Back Shop
- ✓ RV dump point (FREE)
- ✓ Commercial waste accepted
Kuranda Transfer Station
Location:
Kennedy Highway, Kuranda
Hours:
Wed, Sat, Sun
8:00am - 4:00pm
Services:
General & green waste, recycling
Dimbulah Transfer Station
Location:
Dimbulah township
Hours:
Wed, Sat, Sun
8:00am - 4:00pm
Services:
General & green waste, recycling
Chillagoe Transfer Station
Location:
Chillagoe township
Hours:
Wed, Sat, Sun
8:00am - 12:00pm
Services:
General & green waste, basic recycling
Transfer Station Fees
Transfer station fees apply to most waste types. Payment accepted in cash or card at the weighbridge.
Green Waste
$9.00
per load (standard trailer)
Includes:
- • Grass clippings
- • Tree branches and leaves
- • Garden prunings
- • Palm fronds (cut to length)
Must be free of soil, rocks, and rubbish
General Waste
Charged by weight
Typical small trailer: $15-$35
Includes:
- • Household rubbish
- • Building materials
- • Furniture and whitegoods
- • Mixed waste loads
Weighed on arrival and departure
Recycling Drop-Off
FREE
Clean, separated recyclables
E-Waste Collection
FREE
TVs, computers, appliances
Scrap Metal
FREE
Clean metal items
Special Rates:
- • Mattresses: $10 per unit
- • Tyres: $5-$25 depending on size
- • Commercial rates: Higher fees apply for businesses
Mareeba Buy Back Shop
Located at the Mareeba Transfer Station, the Buy Back Shop gives new life to reusable items diverted from landfill.
What You'll Find:
- • Furniture and homewares
- • Garden tools and equipment
- • Building materials
- • Vintage and collectible items
- • Sporting goods
Hours:
Same as transfer station
8:00am - 4:00pm, 7 days
Donating Items:
Before disposing of items, ask staff if they're suitable for the Buy Back Shop. Accepted items must be:
- ✓ Clean and in working condition
- ✓ Safe to use (no broken glass, exposed wires)
- ✓ Complete (all parts present)
- ✓ In saleable condition
Benefits:
- • Reduces waste to landfill
- • Affordable goods for community
- • Revenue supports Council services
- • Promotes circular economy
Free Community Dump Days
Several times per year, Council offers free dump days where residents can dispose of general waste at no charge. These are typically held on:
- • Easter long weekend
- • Clean Up Australia Day (March)
- • Other dates announced on Council website
Free Dump Day Rules:
- ✓ Residential waste only (proof of address required)
- ✓ Limit typically 1-2 trailer loads per household
- ✓ Green waste charges may still apply
- ✓ No commercial or business waste
- ✓ Hazardous materials not accepted
Check Council's website or Facebook page for upcoming free dump day dates and conditions.
RV Dump Point
FREE Dump Point Available
The Mareeba Transfer Station offers a free dump point for recreational vehicles, caravans, and motorhomes.
Location: Mareeba Transfer Station
Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm, 7 days
Cost: FREE
Facilities:
- ✓ Black water disposal
- ✓ Grey water disposal
- ✓ Potable water available
- ✓ Easy access for large vehicles
This service supports tourism and makes Mareeba an RV-friendly destination.
What Can Be Recycled?
✓YES - Put in Yellow Bin
- Paper & Cardboard: newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes (flattened), office paper
- Glass: bottles and jars (lids removed, rinsed)
- Plastics: bottles, containers with 1, 2, or 5 in triangle symbol
- Metals: aluminium cans, steel cans, aerosol cans (empty)
✗NO - Not in Recycling Bin
- Soft plastics: bags, wrappers, cling wrap (use REDcycle)
- Food waste: contaminated packaging, food scraps
- Styrofoam: polystyrene packaging, foam trays
- Other: clothing, electronics, batteries, light globes, ceramics
Recycling Tips:
- •Rinse containers: Food residue contaminates recycling
- •Remove lids: Separate lids from bottles and jars
- •Keep it loose: Don't bag recyclables, put them directly in bin
- •When in doubt, throw it out: Contaminated recycling ends up in landfill
Report Illegal Dumping
Illegal dumping is a serious offence that harms our environment and costs ratepayers. If you witness illegal dumping, report it immediately.
How to Report:
Information to Provide:
- • Location (address or GPS coordinates)
- • Date and time witnessed
- • Description of waste dumped
- • Vehicle details if possible (make, colour, rego)
- • Photos if safe to take
Penalties: Fines up to $2,876 for individuals or $14,378 for corporations can apply for illegal dumping.
Need Help with Waste Services?
Contact Council
Phone: (07) 4086 9700
Email: [email protected]
Address: 65 Rankin Street, Mareeba
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm