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Skip Bin Hire & Recycling Cairns
Choosing the right waste type for your skip bin is usually simple, but it’s an important part of getting the right bin for your job. At Norhire Skip Bins Cairns, we make it easy to understand what you can and can’t place in your skip bin, so you can book with confidence.
The type of waste you select affects both the price and the suitability of your skip bin hire. If prohibited waste is placed in the bin, additional disposal charges may apply, so it’s always best to choose the correct waste type from the start.
Waste type, bin size, and bin weight are the main factors that determine skip bin hire costs in Cairns. When your bin is delivered to a local Cairns waste processing facility, disposal charges vary depending on the type and amount of waste inside.
Choosing the correct waste type also helps reduce landfill and supports better recycling practices. Wherever possible, recyclable materials should be separated so they can be processed responsibly rather than sent to landfill.
For more information on our available waste types, please see the options below.
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Light general waste is a classification we use because it more accurately describes many domestic tidy-up jobs. It refers to non-hazardous, low-density material with an average density of no more than 100 kilograms per cubic metre.
This type of waste is typically bulky yet lightweight, meaning it occupies a lot of space while adding relatively little weight. It is commonly generated during light commercial, industrial, or household cleanup activities, where the material is dry, loose, and easy to handle.
Light general waste does not include dense materials such as:
The following regulated or hazardous waste items are not permitted:
BINS LOADED ABOVE THE ALLOWED WEIGHT LIMIT OF 100 KILOGRAMS PER CUBIC METRE WILL INCUR AN EXCESS WEIGHT CHARGE OF $400 PER TONNE.
THIS CHARGE MUST BE PAID BEFORE THE BIN IS EMPTIED.
General waste is a light, non-hazardous waste stream commonly used in bin hire, waste assessments, and landfill or transfer station classification. Acceptance and pricing may depend on the type of waste and its bulk density.
To be classified as general waste, the material density must not exceed 150 kg per cubic metre.
General waste typically consists of low-density materials that are not suitable for recycling or recovery, including:
The following regulated or hazardous waste items are not permitted:
It is usually generated from commercial activities or general clean-up work and is made up mainly of bulky, lightweight materials.
General waste must not contain heavy materials such as concrete, bricks, soil, masonry, or metal.
BINS LOADED ABOVE THE ALLOWED WEIGHT OF 150 KG PER CUBIC METRE WILL INCUR AN EXCESS WEIGHT CHARGE OF $400 PER TONNE.
THIS CHARGE MUST BE PAID BEFORE THE BIN IS EMPTIED.
Mattresses require special handling because their metal springs can damage waste-sorting and processing equipment.
An additional charge applies to each mattress. Mattresses can be placed in LIGHT DOMESTIC WASTE and GENERAL WASTE skip bins, but the number of mattresses must be declared when ordering the bin.
EACH MATTRESS, REGARDLESS OF SIZE, INCURS A CHARGE OF $30 AND MUST BE DECLARED WHEN THE BIN IS ORDERED.
Tyres may be placed in Light Domestic Waste or General Waste skip bins, but the number of tyres must be declared when the bin is ordered.
Please do not hide tyres within other waste. If tyres are found during processing, you may be charged the additional fee, or the tyres may be returned to you.
EACH TYRE IS CHARGED AT A RATE OF $15 AND MUST BE DECLARED WHEN THE SKIP BIN IS ORDERED.
Mixed builders’ waste is a combined load of materials generated during building and renovation work.
Because it is not separated on site, recyclable materials are mixed with general construction debris.
In Cairns, mixed builders’ waste is commonly produced during residential renovations, commercial fit-outs, new builds, and light demolition projects, where multiple material types are generated simultaneously.
This waste is usually taken to facilities where recoverable materials such as metal, concrete, masonry and untreated timber can be separated. However, contamination, moisture and lightweight materials can reduce recovery rates and increase disposal costs.
Sorting waste at the source improves recycling outcomes, keeps valuable materials out of landfill, and helps protect Cairns’ environment and waterways.
BINS LOADED ABOVE THE PERMITTED WEIGHT LIMIT OF 250 KG PER CUBIC METRE WILL INCUR AN EXCESS WEIGHT CHARGE OF $300 PER TONNE. THIS CHARGE MUST BE PAID BEFORE THE BIN CAN BE EMPTIED.
Heavy construction and demolition waste includes dense materials generated through civil works, construction, renovations, site clearing, and demolition.
On larger projects such as roads, bridges, subdivisions, and commercial developments, this waste stream may also include excavated spoil, kerbs, pipes, and reinforcement steel.
These materials are often sorted at recycling facilities, helping divert significant volumes from landfill.
BINS LOADED ABOVE THE PERMITTED WEIGHT LIMIT OF 1500 KG PER CUBIC METRE WILL INCUR AN EXCESS WEIGHT CHARGE OF $120 PER TONNE. THIS CHARGE MUST BE PAID BEFORE THE BIN IS EMPTIED.
Clean concrete waste is a relatively pure construction and demolition material.
Made up of broken concrete from slabs, footings, pavements, kerbs, pipes, precast elements, and leftover production waste.
Metal impurities, such as reinforcing steel, are generally not a problem because they can usually be removed during processing using magnets.
BINS LOADED ABOVE THE ALLOWED WEIGHT LIMIT OF 1000 KG PER CUBIC METRE WILL INCUR AN EXCESS WEIGHT CHARGE OF $80 PER TONNE. THIS CHARGE MUST BE PAID BEFORE THE BIN IS EMPTIED.