Common sources of timber waste in Adelaide
- Renovations: framing offcuts, flooring removal, wall framing, roofing timber, internal walls
- Fencing: old fence posts, panels, sleepers, rails - whether hardwood or treated pine
- Decking and pergolas: old deck boards, support beams, pergola frames
- Demolition: entire timber-framed structures, timber cladding, timber flooring
- General cleanup: old pallets, garden structures, shelving, storage frames
Treated vs untreated timber - what's the difference?
Untreated timber is raw softwood or hardwood with no chemical treatment. It can be recycled, mulched, or composted.
Treated timber has been chemically processed to resist rot and insect damage. In Australia, CCA-treated pine (copper-chromium-arsenic) is common and recognisable by its distinctive green tint. Painted, stained, or varnished timber is also considered treated. Treated timber cannot be burned or mulched and is processed separately at disposal facilities.
- Untreated timber: natural colour, no staining or paint. Typically structural pine or hardwood like jarrah, merbau, or spotted gum.
- CCA-treated timber: greenish tint, commonly used for fence posts, outdoor framing, and landscaping timbers.
- Painted or stained timber: any timber with a visible coat of paint, stain, or varnish.
Can treated timber go in a hooklift bin?
Yes. Timber - both treated and untreated - is an accepted waste type and can be placed in a hooklift bin. Treated timber is processed separately at the disposal facility; it cannot be burned or mulched with untreated waste.
Mixing treated and untreated timber in the same bin is fine. Facilities sort them during processing, not at pickup.
Which bin size for timber waste
Timber is light - typically 300–500 kg/m³ depending on moisture content and species. You'll fill the bin's volume well before hitting the 10-tonne weight limit. Choose your bin size based on volume, not weight.
| Project type | Estimated volume | Recommended bin | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fence removal (single side, 30–50m) | 2–4m³ | 9m³ Standard | $850 |
| Deck or pergola removal | 3–6m³ | 9m³ or 12m³ Medium | $850–$1,150 |
| Renovation (framing, flooring, walls) | 6–10m³ | 15m³ Large | $1,450 |
| Renovation plus demolition | 10–15m³ | 15m³ or 20m³ XL | $1,450–$1,750 |
| Full timber-frame demolition | 15+m³ | 20m³ XL or larger | $1,750+ |
One standard 6×4 trailer load ≈ 1m³. If you're removing timber that would fill 10 trailers, you need roughly 10m³ of bin space.
Loading timber efficiently
- Break long pieces: anything longer than the bin should be cut into shorter sections so it fits inside rather than protruding above the rim
- Stack flat: lay boards, framing, and panels flat and stack neatly. This uses space more efficiently than loose loading.
- Fill corners and gaps: use offcuts and smaller pieces to fill voids around larger pieces
- Use the rear door: the bin's rear tailgate is ideal for loading long framing or decking. Walk it straight in.
- Stay below the rim: nothing can protrude above the rim line. The bin must be road-safe for collection.