Recycling in our Region

Understanding Our Waste in Barcaldine

Only a Quarter of Our Waste Is “Real Waste”

Around 75% of what we put in our bins can be avoided, reused, recycled, or composted.
In other words, most of what currently goes to landfill does not need to be there.

By making a few simple changes at home and work, we can significantly reduce waste, extend the life of our landfill, and lower long-term costs for the community.

Around 50% of household waste in Barcaldine is organic material, including food scraps, lawn clippings, leaves, and small branches.

When organic waste breaks down in landfill, it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas and a major source of unpleasant odours—especially during hot weather.

Composting at home helps you:

• Reduce bad smells in your wheelie bin

• Reduce waste sent to landfill

• Lower greenhouse gas emissions

• Create free, nutrient-rich compost for your garden

See our composting guide and videos to get started.

Recycling in a Remote Region

Recycling in remote areas like Barcaldine comes with challenges. Long distances to processing facilities mean higher transport costs, which is why kerbside recycling is not currently available.

Even so, there are practical actions you can take right now that make a real difference. 

Recycle Beverage Containers

Sorting beverage containers at home is one of the most effective ways to reduce landfill and support local recovery programs.

Since 2018, Barcaldine has achieved one of the highest container recovery rates in remote Queensland.

Thanks to our local refund point operator, Capricon Value & Building Supply Pty Ltd,  millions of containers have been diverted from landfill. Most refunds have been donated to Barcaldine Age Care Incorporated, directly supporting local seniors and community programs.

The impact so far:

• Over 10.7 million containers collected

• More than $857,000 donated to Barcaldine Age Care Inc.

• Over $970,000 raised for community initiatives

• We have saved 3,547 m³ of landfill space.  That’s about the same space as one and a half Olympic-sized swimming pools.
  Recycling containers helps extend the life of our landfill and reduces future costs for everyone.

• Aluminium takes up the most room in landfill.  Even though aluminium cans are light, they use the largest amount of space when not recycled. In 2025 alone, aluminium made up 29.21 m³

• Glass was the heaviest material at 9.54 tonnes, about the weight of six small cars.

Yet every year, in Barcaldine Region around 250,000 containers still end up in landfill—representing more than $25,000 in lost refunds.

Your container is not just recyclable. It supports local wellbeing.

Cardboard Recycling.

Cardboard is one of the largest recyclable materials by volume and can cause serious issues in landfill, including an increased risk of fires.

Cardboard can already be recycled at the Barcaldine Waste Transfer Station, where there are two yellow-lidded 1,100-litre bins dedicated to cardboard.

To help optimise space and reduce transport costs, please ensure that:

• All boxes are emptied of plastic, wrapping material, and polystyrene

• Cardboard is clean and flattened

• Only flat cardboard is placed in the bins

• For businesses:
  

  Most cardboard generated in Barcaldine comes from commercial activities.  The most effective long-term solution is to arrange a cardboard-only collection with a local contractor or the Council’s waste collection contractor. This service is already available in Barcaldine and allows large bins to be placed on site.

  Flattening cardboard properly helps optimise bin space and reduce collection costs, making the system more efficient for everyone.

  While businesses may also use the Waste Transfer Station, separating cardboard at the source is strongly encouraged to keep it out of general waste and landfill

  Batteries Need Special Care

  Batteries can cause fires if they end up in bins or landfill.

  Please remove batteries from toys, tools, and rechargeable items and take them to the battery drop-off point at IGA in Barcaldine.

  Coming soon (from March 2026):
  Battery collection points will be available at all Council offices and depots across all five towns.
  Batteries will be collected free of charge through a product stewardship program.

 

Sharing information helps everyone: Let others know about the recycling options that are already available in our community. Awareness is a powerful tool.

Small habits make a big difference:  By taking a few extra moments now, we’re building better waste and recycling outcomes for the future—together.

Have Your Say – Help Shape the Future of Waste in Barcaldine

Your feedback will help us plan better recycling services and explore local processing options.

Complete our Waste & Recycling Survey today