Usually accepted
- General household waste: furniture, toys, clothes, boxes and general junk.
- Green waste: palm fronds, tropical prunings, lawn clippings and storm-damaged branches. A green-only bin is often cheaper than mixed waste, so keep soil and rubbish out of it.
- Renovation waste: timber, plasterboard, old cabinets, carpet, tiles and fittings (but not fibro that may contain asbestos).
- Heavy or clean fill: soil, sand, concrete, bricks and pavers, usually in a smaller bin with a weight limit.
- Scrap metal: old roofing iron, fencing, farm gates and machinery parts.
Not accepted, or extra charge
- Asbestos and fibro: never in a general skip. See below.
- Tyres: usually banned or charged per tyre.
- Batteries: car and household batteries are a fire risk in a skip.
- Gas bottles, fire extinguishers and aerosols: can explode when compacted.
- Paint, oils, chemicals and liquids: including pool chemicals, farm chemicals, sump oil and paint.
- Mattresses: often accepted for an extra fee.
- E-waste, food waste and medical waste: check first. Many operators won't take TVs, computers or fluorescent tubes.
Every operator has its own list. The one who quotes you will confirm theirs, so mention anything unusual in the form.
Asbestos and fibro in Mackay
Many older Mackay homes, especially Queenslanders and post-war houses, have fibro walls, eaves or sheds that may contain asbestos. You can't tell by looking, so if a sheet might be fibro, treat it as asbestos. In Queensland, the state's asbestos guidance (asbestos.qld.gov.au) says a homeowner can remove up to 10 m² of non-friable (bonded) asbestos without a licence, using safe work methods. For more than 10 m² you need a Queensland Health-approved homeowner's certificate or a licensed removalist, and friable asbestos, such as low-density board, must be removed by a Class A licensed removalist. Asbestos waste must be wrapped, labelled and taken to a facility that accepts it, never hidden in a general skip. In Mackay, council says the Paget Waste Management Centre takes domestic asbestos loads of 175 kg or less, double-wrapped and clearly labelled.
Where to take problem waste
Mackay Regional Council's Paget Waste Management Centre is at 42 Crichtons Road, Paget, off Connors Road. Council lists the transfer station as open 6:15am to 5:45pm daily. Domestic asbestos loads of 175 kg or less are accepted if double-wrapped and clearly labelled; staff check the packaging and you unload it yourself. Council also runs smaller transfer stations around the region. Check the Mackay Regional Council website for hours, fees and accepted items.
Tips for a cheaper, easier skip
- Separate green waste and heavy waste from general rubbish where you can.
- Break down furniture and flatten boxes so they take less space.
- Don't fill above the rim. Operators can refuse to lift an overfilled bin.
- Be upfront about mattresses, tyres or anything you're unsure about.
Ready to book? Request a free quote, or check the skip size guide first.
Where this information comes from
- Mackay Regional Council: waste services
- Mackay Regional Council: Paget Waste Management Centre
- Mackay Regional Council: asbestos
- Queensland Government: homeowner's certificate to remove asbestos
Council rules, hours and fees change. Check with the council or facility before you rely on them.