Free Dumping Days 2026
Clear the clutter, reduce potential hazards and help get Cook Shire ready for extreme weather season.
From Tuesday 10 to Sunday 22 November 2026, residents can dispose of eligible, pre-sorted waste free of charge at the Ayton, Cooktown, Lakeland and Laura waste facilities during regular opening hours.
Participating facilities
- Ayton Waste Transfer Station
- Cooktown Waste Transfer Station
- Lakeland Waste Transfer Station
- Laura Waste Transfer Station
Opening hours vary between facilities. Check when your local facility is open before travelling HERE.
What can be dumped for free?
- Green waste
- Mixed construction waste, including treated timber, old posts, pallets, plasterboard and plywood
- Plastic and cardboard packaging
- Outdoor furniture, excluding beds and mattresses
- Broken wheelie bins
- Up to 200 litres of asbestos, correctly double-wrapped in 0.2 mm plastic, securely taped and clearly labelled
What is not included?
- Tyres and old vehicles
- Mixed general or household waste
- Commercial waste
- Beds and mattresses
- Fridges, freezers and air conditioners
- Concrete, soil and bricks
Sort before you load
All waste must be sorted into the eligible categories before you arrive.
Mixed, unsorted or ineligible loads will be charged at the standard disposal rate.
Check the full conditions before loading up: https://www.cook.qld.gov.au/free-dumping-days/
Need help transporting your waste?
Eligible residents can register for Council’s Seniors’ Handy Help Pick-Up and have up to four cubic metres of sorted and separated waste collected from their property free of charge.
Handy Help is an opt-in service. Registrations close at 12 noon, Sunday 25 October 2026.
To check your eligibility and register, call Council’s Waste Team on 4082 0500.
Find out more: https://www.cook.qld.gov.au/waste-management/handyhelp/