Brisbane’s bin collection services have become the latest point of contention at City Hall, with the Opposition accusing Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s LNP administration of letting waste management standards slip over the busy summer period.

Labor’s Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Jared Cassidy, said reports of missed bin collections had surged in recent years, claiming Brisbane residents were “paying the price” for poor oversight of the city’s waste contractor, Veolia.

According to figures cited by Cr Cassidy, reports of missed red-bin collections jumped from 1,030 in March 2022 to 1,842 in March 2025 — an almost 80 per cent increase. He attributed the rise to workforce issues, including “unreasonable KPIs, lack of supervisory staff and worsening pay and conditions” for collection workers.

“The LNP Council has made a mess on bins, and residents are paying for it,” Cr Cassidy said. “After 20 years of this LNP Council outsourcing essential services, residents are forced to endure poorer quality services while contractors charge more.”

He also linked the issue to traffic congestion and city planning decisions, arguing that poor road layouts and parked cars often blocked garbage trucks from completing their rounds.

Council maintains collections continue as normal

Brisbane City Council has rejected claims that waste collections are being paused or scaled back over summer. In its official festive-season update, Council stated that red, yellow and green bin services “continue as normal across the holiday period, including public holidays.”

Residents are encouraged to place bins out the night before collection days, as runs may begin earlier during the Christmas and New Year period.

Council also reminded residents that missed bins can be reported online or via phone. Red bins can be reported after 4:30pm on collection day, and yellow or green bins within two working days, with follow-up collections arranged as soon as possible.

Changes to green waste collection

From July 2025, green waste recycling was integrated into the city’s standard kerbside service for eligible properties under the Grow FOGO program, a joint initiative with the State Government. The program aims to divert tens of thousands of tonnes of garden waste from landfill each year.

While the Opposition continues to highlight the rising number of missed-bin complaints, the Schrinner administration maintains that Brisbane’s collection services remain fully operational and that residents should continue to expect normal pick-ups throughout the festive season.