Port Macquarie-Hastings · NSW 2445
Schedule data last verified: August 2026
In Lake Cathie, postcode 2445, waste and recycling services come from Port Macquarie-Hastings.
The suburb sits roughly 20km South of Port Macquarie.
Locals know it for the the lake entrance and its shallow tidal lagoon.
Collection days in Lake Cathie are set street by street, so there is no single day that holds for the whole suburb. Search your address to get the day and the bins for your place.
Everything below applies to Lake Cathie generally; your own street's dates come from the address search on the home page.
Here is what Port Macquarie-Hastings collects from Lake Cathie kerbs, and how often each bin goes out.
You know the bay is close when the wind changes direction the night before bin day.
Every suburb has its rhythms. Knowing your collection day is part of knowing your street.
Lake Cathie falls under Port Macquarie-Hastings for waste and recycling collections.
Visit Port Macquarie-Hastings website for the official policy and any service updates.
Correct bin: General Waste (red lid).
Standard kerbside recycling doesn't accept polystyrene, the white foam used in appliance packaging. Break it up to fit in the red bin. Some specialist facilities accept it separately.
Avoid: Don't put polystyrene in the yellow recycling bin. It clogs machinery and can't be sorted.
Port Macquarie-Hastings offers larger or additional bins for eligible households, such as big families or medical needs, usually for a fee. Contact the council's waste team; if you are new to Lake Cathie, check what size is standard first, since upgrade policies differ between councils.
FOGO means Food Organics and Garden Organics: food scraps composted along with garden waste in the green bin. Whether Port Macquarie-Hastings's green bin accepts food depends on its current rollout; the lid sticker is the quickest check, and the council website confirms it.
No, bins attach to the property, not the resident, so renters use whatever Port Macquarie-Hastings supplies to the address. If bins are missing or broken at a new rental, report it to the council or your property manager; replacement is usually free and does not need the owner.
The bay suburbs each run their own collection schedules. Here are the closest ones to check.
Bin days in Lake Cathie vary by street and zone. Enter your address on the home page to see the next collection date for every bin.
Find my bin day