BETTER BINS
Our intense Far North Queensland climate can be tough on wheelie bins. Heat, humidity, and UV exposure cause some bins to crack, warp, or fail earlier than expected. That’s why we’re introducing a new standard to ensure your bin lasts.
Why we’re introducing the AS-4123
To ensure every household has a bin that is durable, safe and compatible with Council’s kerbside service, all bins used in Cook Shire must now comply with Australian Standard AS-4123.
Since No Label=No Service, we’ve learnt a few things…
During the 2025 rollout of our “No Label = No Service” program, residents purchased bins from various suppliers. Many looked suitable at first, but real-world use revealed a problem: some bins simply can’t handle our extreme climate.
We’ve seen bins become brittle, cracked, and warped—failing much sooner than expected under Cook Shire’s intense UV, heat, and humidity.
What AS-4123 means for you
This Australian Standard ensures your bin is:
- Strong and UV-stable
- Built to last in harsh conditions
- Designed specifically for the Australian environment
The new requirement
From 2 December 2025, we’ll only label bins that meet AS 4123.
Your bin must meet this standard before we can apply a service label. This guarantees it will:
- Be safely emptied by collection vehicles
- Withstand Cook Shire’s climate
- Meet durability and performance requirements
- Remain serviceable for years to come
WE’RE MAKING IT RIGHT.
If your wheelie bin was labelled by Council and does not meet AS-4123 compliant, we’ll replace it for free!
How the free replacement works
- Bring your bin to your nearest Waste Transfer Station during normal operating hours
- We’ll check it meets the criteria for replacement
- Do this before 31 March 2026, and we’ll swap it on the spot for a compliant bin—no charge
Which bins qualify?
Your bin is eligible for free replacement if it meets all three of these criteria:
✓ It was labelled by Council during the 2025 “No Label = No Service” rollout
✓ It doesn’t have AS 4123 compliance markings
✓ You return it by 31 March 2026
Good news: All bins purchased directly from Council are already AS 4123 compliant—you don’t need to do anything.
Can’t get to a Waste Transfer Station?
Contact our Waste Services team on 4082 0500 to arrange collection. Please note: call-out and collection fees apply for this service.
DIARY DATES
2 December 2025
Non-compliant bins will no longer be labelled.
31 March 2026
Last day for FREE bin replacement.
Why AS-4123 matters
Australian Standard AS-4123 sets nationally recognised requirements for:
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durability and materials
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UV stability
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hinge and wheel performance
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safe lifting and emptying
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compatibility with collection equipment
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manufacturing quality
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mandatory identification markings
Compliance helps make sure bins:
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don’t crack or become brittle prematurely
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can handle high UV exposure
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are safe for waste collection crews
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last for their expected service life
Click the button below to download the AS-4123 Guidelines.
How to Check if Your Bin Meets AS-4123
All bins purchased from Cook Shire Council Waste Transfer Stations are AS-4123 compliant.
If you plan on sourcing a wheelie bin from anywhere other than direct from Cook Shire Council to use for your kerbside household waste collection, you must ensure it has the required AS-4123 identification marks before purchasing it.
The steps below will help you identify that the bin is compliant.
1. Look for the AS-4123 marking
Every compliant bin has an identification mark moulded or stamped into the plastic. Required markings include:
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AS-4123 (or AS-4123, AS14123.1)
- Nominal volume (e.g., 240L)
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Maximum permitted weight
Where to look Each manufacturer marks their bins in different locations. Some of the most common locations for compliance identification marks include:
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Side panels
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Corners of the top rim
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Rear panel under the handle
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Underside of the lid
Pictured above: Examples of the required AS-4123.1 reference mark that is required on all wheelie bins that comply with Australian standards.
2. Check for other identification markings
Section 7 of the AS-4123 specification requires bins to display additional information, including:
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manufacturer name
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year of manufacture
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material type (HDPE)
These markings are often, but not always, grouped together, so please ensure you check your bin thoroughly.
If these markings are missing, them it’s highly likely that your bin is not compliant.
Pictured above: Example of year of manufacture indicator – the year is indicated in the middle, with the months of the year around the edge of the dial. In this example, the bin was manufacutred in April 2011.
Pictured avove: An example of material type indicator marking.
Frequently asked Questions
Why is Council requiring bin standards?
Some bins that were labelled during the 2025 audit have not held up to Cook Shire’s extreme UV, heat and humidity. Moving to Australian Standard AS-4123 ensures all bins used for kerbside collection are durable, safe and built for our local conditions.
What is Australian Standard AS-4123?
AS-4123 is the national standard for two-wheeled mobile garbage bins. It sets requirements for strength, UV resistance, hinge and wheel durability, safe lifting, and the identification markings that must be moulded into the bin.
How do I know if my bin meets AS-4123
Look for “AS-4123” (or AS-4123.11 ) stamped or moulded into the plastic. This marking is usually found on the side panel, rear panel under the handle, or underside of the lid, along with the manufacturer, year of manufacture, material type and bin volume.
What bins are eligible for replacement?
Your bin qualifies for free replacement if it:
- Was labelled by Council in 2025
- Doesn’t have AS-4123 markings
- Is returned by 31 March 2026
How do I get my bin replaced for free?
Bring your eligible bin to the Cooktown Waste Transfer Station before 31 March 2026. Staff will check the bin and provide a compliant replacement at no cost.
What if I can't get my bin to Council before the due date?
Contact Council’s Waste Services on 4082 0500 to arrange for your bin to be collected. Please note: Call out & collection fees apply.
My bin is labelled and looks fine—do I still need to replace it?
Only labelled bins that do not meet AS-4123 need to be replaced.
If your bin is AS-4123 compliant and in good condition, you can continue using it.
What if I’m not sure whether my bin is compliant?
You can:
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check the markings on your bin
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bring your bin to the Waste Transfer Station
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contact Council for assistance
We’re happy to confirm compliance for you.
I purchased my bin from Cook Shire but it doesn’t show the AS-4123 mark. Is it still compliant?
Yes. All bins supplied by Cook Shire Council meet an Australian Standard. Occasionally during manufacturing, misprints, light stamping, or oil strikes can cause the AS-4123 marking to appear faint or incomplete. If your bin was purchased directly from Council, it is compliant even if the stamp is not clearly visible. If you’d like us to confirm, feel free to bring the bin to Council or the Waste Transfer Station for checking.
I need a new bin. Can I buy one from anywhere?
Yes—residents may purchase a bin from any retailer, as long as it is AS-4123 compliant. Effective immediatley, Council will only approve and label bins that meet this standard.
Why can’t Council service non-compliant bins?
Bins that don’t meet AS-4123 may be unsafe to lift, incompatible with collection vehicles, or prone to early failure in our climate.
Servicing only compliant bins protects the safety of collection crews, ensures reliable service, and reduces unnecessary damage and replacement costs.