Apartment buildings generate significant waste, so recycling and disposal need a coordinated approach. A practical waste plan can help your body corporate keep shared areas usable, reduce contamination and make responsibilities clear for residents.
How can a body corporate organise recycling?
Waste management works best as a shared effort involving the committee, owners, tenants and other residents. The body corporate should provide clear guidance about recycling, general waste, other disposal options and leaving items on common property.
Recycling can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, along with pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It also helps keep the scheme clean and organised.
A useful recycling plan may include:
- A simple guide explaining what belongs in each bin.
- Signs near bin areas and on common property noticeboards.
- Waste information in welcome material for new residents.
- Reminders through community communications.
- Instructions for furniture, household goods and other items that do not belong in regular bins.
- A process for reporting overflowing bins, contamination or unsafe waste.
The committee can review the waste arrangements regularly and update the information when collection services change. Local rules and accepted materials vary between councils, so residents should check their local council’s current guidance before disposing of an unfamiliar item.
For schemes with a community management statement, by-laws can regulate the use and management of common property and the use of lots. The committee may provide owners and occupiers with copies of the registered by-laws so everyone understands their rights and responsibilities.
You can also read our guide to by-laws explained for more information about how scheme rules operate.
What should residents put in recycling and general waste bins?
Residents should follow the instructions provided by their local council rather than assume that an item is recyclable everywhere. Materials accepted in one council area may not be accepted in another.
For example, Brisbane’s yellow-bin guidance lists paper, metals, cardboard, unbroken glass and firm plastics as recyclable materials. It also says residents should empty bottles and containers, leave lids on bottles and jars, and avoid placing items in plastic bags before putting them in the recycling bin.
The Brisbane guidance also states that broken glass should not go into a yellow recycling bin because it can create a safety risk. It should be wrapped and placed in the general waste bin under that council’s arrangements.
These examples are not a statewide Queensland recycling list. Your body corporate should direct residents to the relevant local council website, item-checking tool or recycling app.
Keep instructions short and practical. A sign might explain:
- Empty bottles and containers before recycling them.
- Keep recyclable items loose rather than putting them in plastic bags.
- Do not place general waste in the recycling bin.
- Check the council’s guidance before disposing of unusual items.
- Flatten cardboard where this is permitted and practical.
- Keep lids with containers if the local council recommends this.
Residents can also reduce waste by donating, selling or giving away usable items instead of placing them in a bin. Items in good working order may be suitable for a charity, community organisation or another resident.
How can a scheme improve its bin area and collection arrangements?
Poor access to waste facilities can contribute to incorrect disposal and recycling contamination. Residents are more likely to follow the system when bins are easy to find, clearly labelled and accessible when needed.
The committee can review:
- Whether the bin area is easy to access.
- Whether signs can be read before an item is placed in a bin.
- Whether there are suitable numbers and types of bins for the scheme’s collection arrangements.
- Whether general waste and recycling bins are clearly separated.
- Whether collection days and presentation requirements are communicated.
- Whether the area is clean, well lit and free from obstructions.
- Whether residents can safely move waste to the collection point.
The body corporate may supply or engage another person to supply domestic services, including garbage removal, for the benefit of owners and occupiers.
If the scheme needs larger recycling bins, additional services or a different collection arrangement, the committee should first check the relevant council’s current process and any approval requirements. A service available to a house may not be available to an apartment scheme on the same terms.
A body corporate may also need to consider whether a proposed change affects common property. The body corporate must maintain common property in good condition, which includes keeping waste areas and access paths in a suitable condition.
What should residents do with batteries, chemicals, e-waste and bulky items?
Batteries, chemicals, e-waste and bulky household items should not be placed in a recycling bin unless the local council specifically says they are accepted there.
Alternative options may include a council resource-recovery facility, a battery collection program, an e-waste service or a retailer take-back program. Check the current arrangements before taking an item to a collection point, as acceptance rules and fees can vary.
Brisbane’s resource recovery centres accept bulk recycling, green waste, e-waste, general waste and most hazardous waste. Disposal fees may apply to some items, while recycling drop-offs do not attract fees under the guidance provided by that council.
Brisbane also directs residents to resource recovery centres or B-cycle drop-off points for household batteries, including batteries from remotes and toys.
These are Brisbane examples, not universal Queensland requirements. Residents should check their own council’s instructions for paint, oil, gas containers, batteries, light globes, chemicals, electronic equipment and other hazardous items.
If a scheme regularly accumulates unwanted furniture or household goods, the committee could consider an organised clean-up or skip-bin collection. This should be assessed against the budget, available space, access requirements and any necessary approvals. Residents should still be encouraged to donate or re-use suitable items before disposal.
Can a body corporate use composting, green-waste bins or skip bins?
A compost heap or worm farm may help reduce organic waste and support gardens around the scheme. It is an optional arrangement that should only be introduced after considering available space, hygiene, pests, odours, maintenance and any applicable by-laws.
Green-waste bins or other collection services may also be available, depending on the local council. The committee should confirm the current service, accepted materials, location requirements and collection arrangements before making a commitment.
Whether a lot owner can order a green-waste bin for a scheme, or whether body corporate approval is required, may depend on the council service, the scheme’s layout and the applicable by-laws.
A skip bin may be useful where excess rubbish is a recurring problem. Before arranging one, consider:
- Where it will be placed.
- Whether it will obstruct common property or access.
- How long it will remain on site.
- Who will arrange and pay for the service.
- Whether residents need instructions about what can be placed in it.
- Whether council or body corporate approval is needed.
The body corporate can make by-laws about the common property and the use of lots, but a by-law must be consistent with the legislation and must not be unreasonable.
What can a body corporate do about waste left on common property?
Waste left in hallways, stairwells, driveways, gardens or other shared areas can obstruct access, create odours, attract pests or create a safety risk. The body corporate should respond consistently and keep records of repeated problems.
In a community titles scheme with a registered community management statement, an occupier must not use a lot or common property in a way that causes a nuisance or hazard, or unreasonably interferes with another person’s use or enjoyment.
The body corporate can consider whether its registered by-laws deal with waste, obstruction, damage or the use of common property. If an existing by-law is relevant, the body corporate is responsible for enforcing its own by-laws.
The committee can begin with a reminder or informal discussion where appropriate. If the issue continues and involves a suspected by-law breach, the formal process may include a by-law contravention notice. The notice must identify the by-law, explain how it is being breached and state what the person needs to do.
Owners and occupiers who believe a by-law is being breached can also give the body corporate an approved notice asking it to act. The committee has 14 days to tell the complainant that a contravention notice has been issued.
For nuisance or hazard concerns, residents should first try to resolve the issue with the other person, preferably in writing, and keep records of repeated or ongoing behaviour.
A clear waste plan, regular communication and workable collection arrangements can make recycling easier for everyone in the scheme. If you would like help with waste procedures or another common property issue, contact StrataCare at reception@stratacare.com.au.
