Everything you need to know about Cook Shire's bin labelling program
From 1 July 2025, if your bin isn’t labelled and compliant, it will not be collected.
This measure is part of our commitment to delivering a waste system that is fair, safe, efficient and cost-effective for the whole community.
What is the bin labelling program?
All kerbside household waste bins must now display an official Council label. This requirement ensures:
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Only registered properties in the paid service receive collections.
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Bins are compliant with Australian Standards AS 4123.1, in good working order and safe for contractors to handle.
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The system is fair across the community — taxpayers are receiving the service they pay for.
What makes a bin eligible?
Your bin must meet all of the following requirements to be labelled and therefore eligible for collection:
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✅ Meet the Australian Standard AS4123.1 for mobile waste containers (size, construction, materials and design).
- ✅ Be in good repair — no major cracks, a lid that closes securely, and both wheels and handle in safe working order.
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✅ Be the correct size and type approved by Council for your property’s waste service.
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✅ Be itemised on your property’s rates notice and form part of the paid kerbside waste collection service.
Only bins meeting all of these criteria are eligible for an official label.
If any requirement is not met, your bin will not be labelled and will not be collected.
Why does this matter?
A safe, fair and efficient waste collection system relies on bins that are compliant, registered and fit for purpose. Broken, unregistered or non-standard bins lead to:
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Safety risks for our waste collection contractors
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Increased contamination and landfill costs
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Unfairness to ratepayers who pay for the service
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Slower, less efficient waste collection across the Shire
Council-approved bins must meet AS 4123.1, the Australian Standard for mobile waste containers. Bins built to this standard are:
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Designed and manufactured for Australian environmental conditions (heat, UV exposure, rainfall and wildlife)
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Built to withstand Australian waste-handling equipment used by collection trucks
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Made of materials that are durable, safe and fit for long-term use
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Consistent in size, strength and construction so they can be lifted and emptied safely
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Compliant with nationally recognised standards used by councils, contractors and manufacturers across Australia
Bins that do not meet AS 4123.1 may crack, fail, or be unsafe for contractors to service — which is why they will no longer be labelled.
Got an extra bin?
If you use an additional bin that isn’t yet listed on your rates notice, complete the relevant Extra Bin Service Form before the end of the audit period to ensure it is included.
If you require a one-off additional bin collection, please contact Auswaste to organise directly or alternatively bring your bin down to the waste transfer station (fees will apply).
What happens now?
- Non compliant bins, including those that are broken or without a Council label will not be collected and will recieve a “Non-compliance notification” label.
- Bins that are too full, facing the wrong way, or contain prohibited items (like batteries, paint, e-waste) will receive an: “Oops!” reminder label
This gives you a friendly heads-up and guidance on how to fix the issue before your next collection. If the issue isn’t fixed by your next collection, residents may receive an infringement notice. Find out more about our Bin Notification Stickers at the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the program start?
The program was announced in April 2025 followed by several months of bin audits, inspections and labelling before full enforcement commenced from 1 July 2025.
Where can I get a label?
If you are applying for a new bin service:
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Take your rates notice or completed paperwork to your nearest Waste Transfer Station, where you can purchase a pre-labelled bin.
If you already have a bin you wish to use:
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Bring the bin to the Waste Transfer Station. Staff will check that it meets all requirements and, if compliant, will apply the label on the spot.
If you cannot attend a WTS, you may request a Council Waste Team call-out:
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Call 4082 0500 to book.
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Call-out fees apply.
Please note:
Only bins that are compliant, registered to the property, and meet AS 4123.1 can be labelled and collected.
How do I know if my bin is what's included on my rates notice?
Check your latest rates notice under the “waste collection” or “bin service” section. Still unsure? Contact Council on 4082 0500.
How do I register to have an additional bin service?
Submit an Extra Bin Service Form to Council before 13 June 2025 . Once approved and paid for, your bin can be labelled and collected.
My bin is broken, what can I do?
Council stocks new compliant bins as well as a range of replacement parts (such as lids, wheels and axles) for AS4123.1-compliant mobile waste containers. These are available for purchase at all Council Waste Transfer Stations.
If your bin is still serviceable, staff may be able to help you identify which parts you need. If the bin is damaged beyond repair, you will need to purchase a replacement bin that meets AS4123.1 and matches the service listed on your property’s rates notice.
Please note:
Cook Shire’s extreme weather conditions — including heat, UV exposure and heavy rainfall — can shorten a bin’s lifespan. Most Australian Standard bins reach the end of their usable life within 5–8 years.
Property owners are responsible for ensuring their bin remains compliant and for replacing it when it reaches the end of its serviceable life.
What happens if a contractor has broken my bin?
If you believe your bin was damaged during collection, it’s important to report it to Council within 2 working days of your bin being serviced.
Once reported, Council will review the truck’s onboard footage to determine whether the damage was caused during collection. If the contractor is found to be at fault, they will be responsible for repairing or replacing the bin.
Please note: If more than 2 working days have passed, the footage is no longer accessible and no investigation can be undertaken. In this case, the responsibility for repairing or replacing the bin falls to the property owner.
Why does my new bin have a red lid?
Council is gradually phasing out green bin lids and replacing them with red lids on an as-needed basis, such as when bins are damaged or replaced. This change aligns with the Queensland Government’s standard colour-coding system, where red lids are used for general rubbish (waste to landfill).
Introducing this colour-coded system now, helps prepare our community for any future consideration of expanding kerbside collection services, such as:
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Yellow-lid bins for mixed recycling
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Green-lid bins for Food and Garden Organics (FOGO)
By adopting red lids for general waste now, we’re taking a small but important step toward a more consistent, sustainable and easy-to-use kerbside system in the future.
What is the "Oops" reminder label?
It’s a reminder label applied when your bin is:
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Overfilled
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Facing the wrong way
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Contains prohibited items (e.g. batteries, paint, e-waste)
This label provides guidance. You’ll get one reminder before you risk an infringement.
Can I opt our of the kerbside waste collection service if I don't use the services?
Under Queensland State legislation and Cook Shire Council Local Law No. 6 (Waste Management), all properties located within a designated waste collection area are required to be charged for the kerbside waste collection service — even if the service is not actively used.
This legal framework ensures waste is managed in a safe, hygienic, and environmentally responsible way across the Shire, and helps Council deliver sustainable waste services to the community.
If you believe your property may fall outside of a designated service area or you’d like to discuss your specific circumstances, please contact Council on 4082 0500 or email mail@cook.qld.gov.au.
Who can I contact for help?
📞 Call: 4082 0500
📧 Email: mail@cook.qld.gov.au
🌐 Visit: www.cook.qld.gov.au