Can you take items from other people's kerbside collection?

Australia Broadcast Center

24-06-2025

James Straker has been collecting things off the streets since he could drive.
"Having things doesn't make me happy, but finding things does," the 53-year-old from Brisbane/Meanjin says.
"Part of the fun is deep diving. A surfboard I found, I learnt all about who that surfboard maker was, contacted him, and asked if he wanted it back.
"I find glass bottles from the early 1900s and research the companies — who they were and what they did."
It means Brisbane City Council's kerbside collection calendar is something James follows closely.
But he says there's a certain etiquette to hunting through other people's hard rubbish.
The laws around salvaging or taking items that would otherwise be destined for landfill are decided by your local council.
The advice in most capital cities is that any junk left on the kerb for council collection is fair game.
City of Logan Mayor Jon Raven says council is "very happy" for people to take items waiting for kerbside collection.
"People doing scavenging and removing things that can be recycled diverts things from landfill and has an economic impact," Cr Raven says.
While it's generally accepted that people are welcome to rummage through one another's kerbside collections, Brisbane City Council's chair of city standards Councillor Sarah Hutton says they encourage people to be mindful when doing so.
"While there are no specific regulations around people taking items off the kerb, we do obviously encourage residents to be considerate and respectful.
"[Ensuring] you don't smash anything … or cover the footpath," she says for example.
Cr Raven says leaving the pile tidy is important, which also helps "maintain street pride".
While James doesn't ask property owners before taking items, he often ends up chatting to them anyway.
"I really like meeting strangers.
"I've had instances where I go back inside to help someone move more stuff out, and they will say 'My dad has a bunch of records, do you want them?'"
Cr Raven says there are people who supplement their income from travelling around the city collecting items from the kerb to upcycle and sell.
One of James's most iconic finds was a book filled with religious stories printed in 1790.
"It was the most beautiful book I've been able to touch," he says.
"It was in the back of Kelvin Grove, just sitting in a laundry basket with some other old books.
"I sold it the next day for $300, but it was probably worth more than that."
James says he goes through waves of emotions when he comes across a great find.
"I get upset someone would throw it out, then I get really excited they threw it out.
"Some people just don't see the value in some things."
Cr Raven says the kerbside collection service is especially helpful for those who can't dispose of their own hard rubbish.
"It's sometimes hard when you have units or townhouses … there can be up to three semitrailer loads of waste in the one driveway.
"But often it's the people who live in units who have the most need; they might not have a ute, or are retirees or people with disability."
He says people love the "egalitarian nature" of kerbside pick-up.
"Kerbside is available for everybody, whether they are renters or ratepayers — nobody misses out."
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Acceptable items will vary across Australia, but generally items such as whitegoods, furniture, carpet, rugs and bikes are able to be left out for collection.
Most councils won't accept items including hazardous waste, car batteries, bricks and concrete, gas bottles, glass and mirrors.
In some areas, including Logan, all items are crushed on the truck and taken to landfill.
But Brisbane, for example, has a recycling truck which comes around to select items that can be recycled or sold at in their "trash and treasure" type stores, before the clean-up team arrives.
Cr Hutton says there have been some amazing items picked up by their teams over the years.
"Pianos … also some vintage furniture, which has gone for top dollar at our treasure trove stores.
"There are a lot of great things that go out on the kerb, and if people can find a second life for these, then great."