Kiama recycling moves to fortnightly, and bulky waste is next
Kiama Council moved yellow-lid recycling bin collection from weekly to fortnightly at the start of July 2026. In a Mayor’s update published on 2 October 2026, the council said the data since the change has been “overall positive”. It has also opened a public consultation, closing on 26 October, on how its Household Bulky Waste service should work. Three options are on the table for the bulky waste service that runs alongside Kiama recycling:
- Stop the drop-off events and keep the user-pays kerbside service, with all residents receiving a rebate on the Domestic Waste Management Charge based on the three-year average annual cost of the current service.
- Issue vouchers for anyone who wants to drop off bulky waste.
- Keep the current two annual drop-off events.
Who gets a say on Kiama bulky waste
Residents of the Kiama local government area are directly affected: the Kiama recycling change covers yellow-lid bins, and the consultation covers bulky waste. People can have their say through the council’s YourSay page, and a community pop-up was held at Kiama Shopping Village on 13 October. The council says the review follows workplace safety concerns and several safety incidents, and describes the current facility as “not fit for purpose”.
Key dates: July 2026 start, 26 October deadline
Fortnightly Kiama recycling collection began at the start of July 2026. The bulky waste consultation closes on 26 October 2026. The council’s update does not say when whichever bulky waste option is chosen would start.
Fuller bins and fewer truck trips: what the numbers show
The council says yellow-lid bin presentation in its Kiama recycling service rose from 66 per cent in August 2025 to 76 per cent in August 2026, although around a quarter of households still do not put their bin out. The average weight of material per bin rose from 6 kg to 8 kg, which the council says it expected as residents fill their bins more. Return trips to the Minnamurra Waste Facility fell from 14 (188 tonnes) in August 2025 to 10 (131 tonnes) in August 2026, which the council says means lower fuel costs, less vehicle wear and less staff fatigue.
For residents, the Kiama recycling change is already in place, so the decision still to come is the bulky waste option. Anyone who wants to weigh in should submit feedback before 26 October.
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General information only, not legal advice. Check the official source before acting.
Source: Kiama Municipal Council, Mayor’s update (2 October 2026).
