Could you be the region’s next BINfluencer? Competition now open!

Published on 19 August 2026

Rockhampton Regional Council’s 2026 BINfluencer Competition is officially open, with residents across the region encouraged to put their best recycling habits forward for the chance to be crowned one of this year’s six BINfluencers.

Waste and Recycling Councillor Shane Latcham said the competition was a great opportunity to recognise residents who were leading the way when it came to recycling correctly.

“Last year’s inaugural competition shone a spotlight on some fantastic BINfluencers who helped keep recyclables out of landfill and inspired others to do the same,” Cr Latcham said.

“These residents showed that getting your recycling sorted doesn’t have to be complicated – it’s about making simple habits part of your everyday routine.

“A BINfluencer is someone who not only sorts their recyclables correctly but also inspires their street to follow suit.”

The competition is open now, and winners will be announced regularly until the end of National Recycling Week. Each winner will receive a Rockhampton Zoo Encounter valued at up to $110 and a Reviva Ibis Reuse Shop gift voucher valued at $40.

“Entering is simple – just complete the online entry form and, if your name is drawn, Council will complete a quick visual ‘lift the lid’ check on your yellow lid bin on your usual recycling bin day before it has been emptied,” Cr Latcham said.

A Bin Health Professional will be looking to see if you’ve ticked these BINfluencer boxes:

• Have your household recyclables sorted? I put glass bottles and jars, paper and cardboard, steel tins, aluminium cans, aerosols and accepted plastic containers (numbered 1,2,4,5) in my yellow lid recycling bin.
• Keep lids off your household recyclables? I take lids off bottles, jars and containers before putting them in my yellow lid bin.
• Keep your household recyclables clean? I give my recyclable food containers a quick rinse before putting them in my yellow lid bin.
• Keep your household recyclables loose? I place all my recyclable items loose in my yellow lid bin and never bag/contain items.
• Place your yellow lid bin out correctly on its fortnightly collection day? I ensure my bin lid is closed, bins have 30cm space between them and 1m distance from obstacles.

Last year’s August BINfluencer competition winner Katherine Somers said being recognised as a BINfluencer was a lovely reminder of how small changes at home can make a big difference.

“Recycling is just part of our everyday routine at home,” Ms Somers said.

“We keep it simple: two bins inside for easy sorting, freeze food scraps until bin day, collect our 10-cent containers, and share our fruit and vegetable scraps with friends’ chooks.

“I like knowing my rubbish has a second life and that the things we recycle can be used again rather than simply ending up in landfill.”

The BINfluencer Competition is open to all Rockhampton Region residential households that receive a kerbside recycling bin collection service.

Complete the online BINfluencer Competition Entry Form here.

The competition closes Friday, 9 October 2026.

To learn more about how to get your household waste and recycling bin habits sorted, visit: https://bit.ly/2UdsUTr