Waste education events
Council supports a number of events to inform our community about recycling and waste management.
Take part in one of these events to connect, learn and take action towards a more sustainable Sunshine Coast.
Community events
- Clean Up Australia Day First Sunday in March each year
- Compost Awareness
- National Recycling Week Second week in November each year
- Plastic Free July
- Give a Sheet® for the Planet Saturday 8 November 2025. Find our more information on this year's event.
Recycling pop up stalls
Pop up stalls are held across shopping centres on the Sunshine Coast. Residents can chat with a recycling expert to get their tricky waste questions answered or take home bin stickers to help them recycle right at home.
| Location | Date | Time |
| Nambour Plaza | December 1–5 | 9am–3pm |
| Sunshine Plaza | December 8–12 | 9am–3pm |
| Sunshine Plaza | January 5–9 | 9am–3pm |
| Kawana Shopping World | January 12–16 | 9am–3pm |
| Caloundra Shopping Centre | January 19–23 | 9am–3pm |
Bin education and engagement (BEEs)
Council works with external waste educators to conduct bin education and engagement (BEEs) on resident's kerbside recycling bins.
The aim of BEE is to help residents get their waste sorted.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it matter that I put the right thing in the bin?
Why does it matter that I put the right thing in the bin?
When waste items are put in the recycling bin, they make it more difficult to sort at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). This is called contamination.
The wrong items cause safety issues for staff, damage the machinery, and contaminate the recyclable materials. This lowers the quality of the recycling and makes it more difficult to process and sell the materials collected.
How will the bin education and engagement (BEEs) work?
How will the bin education and engagement (BEEs) work?
Bin education and engagement (BEEs) will be conducted by 2 officers on recycling bins.
Officers will lift the bin lid to look at the top of bin.
They will not touch or move the contents.
If there are incorrect items inside the bin, the officer will place a tag on the bin handle and a fridge magnet in the letter box.
The tag and fridge magnet will have information on how to correctly use your kerbside bins.
Bins that receive tags will still be emptied as per servicing requirements.
When and where will the bin education and engagement (BEEs) take place?
When and where will the bin education and engagement (BEEs) take place?
Bin education and engagement (BEEs) will be conducted randomly across all 10 Council divisions on the Sunshine Coast.
What if my bin is tagged?
What if my bin is tagged?
If there is a tag on your bin it means your household has been randomly selected to participate in the program.
Please read the tag, share it with your household and check if the tips can help you improve your recycling.
There is a QR code on the fridge magnet and bin tag that provides you with more information on using your bins.
You could also access our online waste and recycling guide or watch our Recycle Right video series for up-to-date information on how to recycle correctly.
Why was I chosen to be part of the program?
Why was I chosen to be part of the program?
The program locations are chosen randomly from across Sunshine Coast suburbs.
Households selected should not be inconvenienced in any way.
Will I be fined or penalised if my recycling bin is contaminated?
Will I be fined or penalised if my recycling bin is contaminated?
No, bin education and engagements (BEEs) are for education purposes only. Your bins will still be collected as normal.
Sunshine Coast Council is running the program to encourage better recycling and learn about current recycling behaviours on the Sunshine Coast.
Do the waste educators come on to my property and rummage through my bins?
Do the waste educators come on to my property and rummage through my bins?
The waste educators are from Envirocom Australia – a company which provides specialised waste education services. They only look inside recycling bins that have been placed on the kerb for collection. They will deliver bin tags on regular fortnightly recycling bin collection days for the area.
They do not rummage through bins. They only observe material they can see at the top of the bin. The waste educators carry a letter of authorisation from Sunshine Coast Council. You can ask to see it if you are unsure of what they are doing.