For most Australians in areas where kerbside collection is available, it’s the perfect chance to dispose of those bigger items that are too difficult to take to the tip.
But for some international visitors and residents, it’s a somewhat mind-boggling concept.
Many Australian municipalities offer an annual collection day for bulky or hard waste, while some offer free days at rubbish tips for large items, and others provide a pick-up service via bookings.
In Logan, Steve Harman, whose partner is from Sweden, said the most recent collection day in his area made him feel “a little embarrassed about my home.”
“You go past one house, and they have like five mattresses in front of a single house – it’s just ugly mate,” he said.
“(My partner) is kind of amazed that it’s even allowed.
“I drive with her and feel a bit embarrassed because this is your home area.
“You just can’t believe we just allow it to get this way.”
Photos Mr Harman shared with news.com.au show a massive pile of furniture, mattresses, white goods and other junk across the whole kerb, even blocking the footpath in parts.
Mr Harman hoped his council would consider other options to keep the streets clear.
“For some people, it’s a benefit. The question is, when does the other (ugly) side of it outweigh the benefit?” he said.
“I think there needs to be a solution … for people that can’t get to the tip.
“I think it needs to be done more on the street-by-street basis, not area, and get it directed towards individuals that actually need it.”
Also in Queensland, Brisbane-based Masuyo Hayashi from Japan, who assists other Japanese people living, working and studying in Australia, revealed friends and clients had recently asked “what is this? this is a city of garbage?” during a recent kerbside collection period.
“Don’t be surprised. It’s called the kerbside collection, and it’s the so-called annual oversized trash day, when all the big trash in the house is taken out,” he explained to his followers.
A Brisbane-based garbage truck driver who aptly goes by the moniker “Garbo” posts his daily adventures in rubbish collection online.
Also, from Japan, Garbo recently pointed out an aspect of the kerbside collection that many Brisbanians get wrong.
He said larger cardboard boxes are often found during kerbside collection, which will likely not be recycled.
“By the way, the garbage collected at kerbside goes straight to the landfill without being sorted or anything,” he tweeted.
“It will be recycled if you break it up or cut it in half and put it in the recycling bin.”
Brisbane City Council, the country’s largest municipality, states it will not collect general household waste, food scraps or recycling during kerbside collection with fines possible for incorrect disposal.
“Illegal dumping fines may apply if unacceptable material is not removed within seven days of the notified collection period,” the council warns.
Logan Council says the maximum size for the pile or any individual item is two metre in width, one metre in height, and one metre in depth.
The council says waste should not obstruct various footpaths and should be cut into one-meter lengths and tied into bundles with a natural string that two people in under five minutes can load.