GOLD Coasters who feel the urge to increase recycling efforts now have the option to upsize their bin.

Gold Coast City Council's community and cultural development chairman Councillor Bob La Castra, said the optional six-month bin upgrade was in response to residents asking for the service and statistics indicating larger recycling bins encouraged greater recycling efforts.

"This week is National Recycling Week - and the perfect time to encourage residents to recycle more," Cr La Castra said.

"The optional service will cost residents no extra on their waste charges during the promotion.

"However, there will be an additional $10 charge on the standard waste collection fee every six months to residents who choose to stay with the larger recycling bins after 30 June 2012.

"As the pressure to recycle more has increased, predominantly because of diminishing landfill space, people have risen to the challenge and increased their recycling habits.

"Gold Coast residents are among the best recyclers in the state, and want to do even better.

"This offer - and the future permanent uptake of a larger recycling bin - is purely optional.

"We are offering the service in response to residents, particularly those with large families, who fill their yellow top bin before the fortnightly pick up."

Councilor La Castra said the larger bins would allow residents to increase recycling by 50%.

"Brisbane City Council already provides the larger bins and according to their statistics it has increased the volume of material recovered by 10%.

"That sort of increase on the Gold Coast would be equivalent to collecting more than 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools of extra recyclables each year," Cr La Castra said.

"Currently about 25%of materials that end up in domestic waste bins could be recycled.

"Our belief is that by providing larger recycling bins the volume of recyclables that end up landfills will be reduced substantially.

"Obviously there are many social, environmental and economic benefits that come with greater recycling, that include helping to protect the enviable lifestyle we enjoy on the Gold Coast."

To apply for a larger recycling bin call 07 5581 6799.