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To recycle plastics, apply the scrunch test. If it can be scrunched into a ball, it’s considered ‘soft plastic’ and cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Make sure these rigid plastics are clean, dry and free from residue before recycling. Check with your local council for the full list before recycling.
Most forms of paper, like newspapers, printer paper, and junk mail can be recycled. However, paper products like used kitchen towels, napkins and glossy wrapping paper are not recyclable and should go in general waste.
Most cardboard can be recycled, as long as not wet, water damaged or contaminated by food. Cartons, or liquid paperboard containers, are not always included so check before recycling. Always compact your cardboard before recycling to save space.
Glass bottles and jars are infinitely recyclable and can be reused in a wide variety of applications. However, drinking glasses and other kinds of glassware are made of different glass material and are not recyclable in the commingled bin. Glass bottles may also be recycled through container deposit schemes.
Aluminium and steel containers, such as food cans and empty beverage cans are recyclable. All metal containers should be empty of any leftovers before being placed in the bin.
Soft plastics like plastic bags and food wrappers cannot be recycled through the commingled recycling bin. Recycle at soft plastic drop-off locations such as supermarkets.
Food waste and other organic waste such as garden waste are not recyclable in your commingled recycling bin. Compost or dispose in the general waste bin.
Clothes and other textiles cannot be recycled through the commingled recycling bin. Donate textiles in good condition to charity or put them in the general waste bin.
Banana skins and other peels can be recycled in food and garden organics (FOGO) recycling bin. Dispose in your FOGO bin or compost wherever possible. Otherwise, place in your general waste bin.
Tree branches can be recycled in your organic waste bin as long as you can close the lid after. Break them down into smaller pieces if they don't fit or compost them.
Grass clippings can be placed directly in your organics recycling bin. If such a service is unavailable, consider composting or placing in your general waste bin.
Banana skins and other peels can be recycled in food and garden organics (FOGO) recycling bin. Dispose in your FOGO bin or compost wherever possible. Otherwise, place in your general waste bin.
Tree branches can be recycled in your organic waste bin as long as you can close the lid after. Break them down into smaller pieces if they don't fit or compost them.
Grass clippings can be placed directly in your organics recycling bin. If such a service is unavailable, consider composting or placing in your general waste bin.
To recycle plastics, apply the scrunch test. If it can be scrunched into a ball, it’s considered ‘soft plastic’ and cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Make sure these rigid plastics are clean, dry and free from residue before recycling. Check with your local council for the full list before recycling.
Most forms of paper, like newspapers, printer paper, and junk mail can be recycled. However, paper products like used kitchen towels, napkins and glossy wrapping paper are not recyclable and should go in general waste.
Most cardboard can be recycled, as long as not wet, water damaged or contaminated by food. Cartons, or liquid paperboard containers, are not always included so check before recycling. Always compact your cardboard before recycling to save space.
Glass bottles and jars are infinitely recyclable and can be reused in a wide variety of applications. However, drinking glasses and other kinds of glassware are made of different glass material and are not recyclable in the commingled bin. Glass bottles may also be recycled through container deposit schemes.
Aluminium and steel containers, such as food cans and empty beverage cans are recyclable. All metal containers should be empty of any leftovers before being placed in the bin.
Soft plastics like plastic bags and food wrappers cannot be recycled through the commingled recycling bin. Recycle at soft plastic drop-off locations such as supermarkets.
Food waste and other organic waste such as garden waste are not recyclable in your commingled recycling bin. Compost or dispose in the general waste bin.
Clothes and other textiles cannot be recycled through the commingled recycling bin. Donate textiles in good condition to charity or put them in the general waste bin.
Banana skins and other peels can be recycled in food and garden organics (FOGO) recycling bin. Dispose in your FOGO bin or compost wherever possible. Otherwise, place in your general waste bin.
Tree branches can be recycled in your organic waste bin as long as you can close the lid after. Break them down into smaller pieces if they don't fit or compost them.
Grass clippings can be placed directly in your organics recycling bin. If such a service is unavailable, consider composting or placing in your general waste bin.
Check with your council or service provider to confirm if an item is recyclable
If you’re not sure the item is recyclable, put it in general waste
Ensure recyclables are empty with no food residue before recycling
Never bag recycling. Always place recyclables loose in the bin
Recycling tricky items
Packing nuts
These cannot be recycled. Place them in your general waste/landfill bin.
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Juice cartons
Can be recycled, depending on location. Always check with your local council for the latest advice.
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Windowed envelopes
Can be recycled in your commingled bin as long as they are dry and have not been exposed to water.
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Black meat trays
Cannot be recycled in Australia as sorting equipment cannot identify them. Place this in your general waste/landfill bin.
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Plastic fruit punnets
These may be recyclable in certain locations. Check with your local council for the latest advice
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Deodorant roll-on
These can be recycled as long as completely empty.
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Aluminium foil
Can be recycled. Roll into ping-pong sized ball and place in an alu can.
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Bottle tops & lids
These can be recycled in certain locations. Check with your local council for the latest advice.
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Polystyrene and styrofoam
These cannot be recycled. Check with your local council for advice.
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Broken glass
Cannot be recycled. Place in your general waste bin.
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Batteries
Must be recycled as e-waste. Check with your local council for advice.
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Waxed paper and cardboard
Cannot be recycled. Place in your general waste bin.
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What can I recycle?
Putting the wrong item in your commingled recycling bin is contamination and can send a truck full of recyclable items to landfill. Our Recycling Hub is designed to answer the questions “What and how can I recycle”, clearing the confusion about things you can recycle in your kerbside bin.
Here you’ll find practical advice from how to recycle right to managing tricky items, and even items you didn’t know could be recycled, all on one convenient site. Check back often to discover new ways to recycle better and close the loop on waste.
Aerosol cans often contain flammable propellant that can turn them into fire risks. Depending on your location, completely empty aerosol cans can be recycled with their plastic caps and covers off in the commingled recycling bin. In Western Australia, aerosol cans are classified as Household Hazardous Waste and banned from the kerbside bin. However, these can be recycled at a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off point or event.
Aerosol cans should be treated as household hazardous waste and recycled appropriately. Check with your local council to learn more about Household Hazardous Waste drop-off points and events.
Never place any form of chemicals, including cleaning chemicals, in your bin. Contact your local council to find out where you can dispose of this safely.
Clean and dry glass bottles can be recycled in most locations, but some municipalities may require these items to be placed in a separate bin. Contact your local council to learn more.
Aluminium foil should be clean and free of contaminants such as food. These can be scrunched into a ball and placed into another aluminium container such as a food can for recycling.
Paint stripper and thinners are classified as household hazardous waste. Contact your local council to learn more about hazardous household waste drop-offs.
Building materials such as timber, concrete, plasterboard, vegetation and other materials should not be placed in household bins. Contact your local council to learn how to dispose of them before you begin your project.
Zinc sheets and other building materials do not belong in your commingled recycling or general waste bin. Check with your local council to learn how to dispose of them.
Motor oil and its containers cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Contact your local council to find the nearest drop off points for your used motor oil, filters and containers.
Polystyrene and styrofoam cannot be recycled through your commingled recycling bin. Contact your local council to see if a polystyrene recycling program is available.
Banana skins, like most other fruit peels, can be recycled and used in your home garden. They can be used straight away as compost or mulch, or turned into homemade liquid fertiliser, non-toxic pest repellant for plants, and as a slow-release fertiliser. Banana skins can also be recycled in most food waste bins.
Batteries should be never be placed in any of your kerbside bins due to its flammable nature, especially single-use type such as AAAA, single cell and 9V batteries. Instead, store in a cool and dry place pending recycling. Single-use batteries can be recycled at retail locations such as Aldi, Officeworks, and selected waste management transfer stations and facilities. Lithium-ion batteries, found in most laptops and smartphones, should be recycled as e-waste.
Clean and dry glass bottles can be recycled in most locations, but some municipalities may require these items to be placed in a separate bin. Contact your local council to learn more.
Clean and dry glass bottles can be recycled in most locations, but some municipalities may require these items to be placed in a separate bin. Contact your local council to learn more.
Black meat trays go into your general waste bin as recycling machines cannot sort them. Transparent or white meat trays may be recyclable in select locations, depending on its material. Contact your local council to learn more.
Lolly wrappers are soft plastics that cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. They can be recycled in certain supermarkets and other dropoff points. Contact your local council to learn more.
Black plant pots cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin as these are difficult to pick up by the sorting machinery. Depending on your council, certain locations may have access to a dedicated plant pot programme (Victoria and Western Australia). You can also check with nearby plant nurseries to see if they will take black plant pots in good condition. Otherwise, reuse pots in good condition or dispose of in general waste.
Never place any form of chemicals, including cleaning chemicals, in your bin. Contact your local council to find out where you can dispose of this safely.
Blister packs, especially medicinal ones, are usually comprised of a mix of plastic, aluminium and sometimes paper. This makes it very difficult to recycle in your kerbside bin and in most other recycling programs. However, some pharmacies in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are currently trialling a medicinal blister pack recycling program. Check with your local pharmacy to see if these can be recycled in your location. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin.
Expired or leftover medication cannot be put into your bins, but will be accepted at some community pharmacies and other locations. Contact your local council for safe disposal advice.
Aluminium foil trays can be recycled. Just ensure they're clean, dry and empty. However, foil packaging for crisp packages and similar material which are made of metallised plastic are not accepted.
To check, scrunch the material into a ball. If it stays in shape, it is aluminium foil and can be placed in your commingled bin. If it "bounces back" then it is plastic and should be placed in your general waste bin.
Cooking fats and oils are not recyclable NOR should you pour them down the drains. Allow them to cool before collecting them into a sealed container for disposal in your general waste bin.
Books in good conditions can be donated or passed on. Some locations will accept books in the commingled recycling bin. Otherwise, place it in your general waste bin. Contact your local council to confirm.
Bottle tops are recyclable in certain locations. If so, they should be collected in a separate container before being placed in your commingled recycling bin.
Check with your local council or service provider before recycling it.
Rigid plastic bottles, such as hand sanitisers, drinking water and shampoo bottles can all be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. Remove the lids from the bottles and place them loose in your commingled recycling bin.
Rigid plastic containers such as shampoo and conditioner bottles can be recycled in your commingled recycling bin. Empty, rinse and dry before placing them in the bin.
Motor oil and its containers cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Contact your local council to find the nearest drop off points for your used motor oil, filters and containers.
Building materials such as timber, concrete, plasterboard, vegetation and other materials should not be placed in household bins. Contact your local council to learn how to dispose of them before you begin your project.
Zinc sheets and other building materials do not belong in your commingled recycling or general waste bin. Check with your local council to learn how to dispose of them.
Timber can be recycled through your council's bulk waste services depending on its condition and whether it's treated or untreated. Contact your local council to learn more.
Broken glass from glass bottles and jars may be recyclable in some locations. Always check with your local council before disposal. All other glassware are not recyclable and should be bagged and placed in your general waste bin.
Clean and dry glass bottles can be recycled in most locations, but some municipalities may require these items to be placed in a separate bin. Contact your local council to learn more.
Polystyrene and styrofoam cannot be recycled through your commingled recycling bin. Contact your local council to see if a polystyrene recycling program is available.
Black meat trays go into your general waste bin as recycling machines cannot sort them. Transparent or white meat trays may be recyclable in select locations, depending on its material. Contact your local council to learn more.
Building materials such as timber, concrete, plasterboard, vegetation and other materials should not be placed in household bins. Contact your local council to learn how to dispose of them before you begin your project.
Zinc sheets and other building materials do not belong in your commingled recycling or general waste bin. Check with your local council to learn how to dispose of them.
Cable ties, also known as zip ties, are often used to organise and bundle cables and wires. They are usually used only once and made from nylon. Due to their material and small size, they are unsuitable for recycling. Place used cable ties into the general waste bin. Donate or give away unused cable ties that are in good condition.
Electrical cables cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin. However, they can be recycled as e-waste or scrap metal, depending on your location. Check with your council to learn where you can drop these off.
Flatten clean and dry cardboard boxes before disposal in your commingled bin.
Wet or soiled cardboard cannot be recycled as these can contaminate the recyclables, so it must be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Shredded or torn cardboard are also not recyclable through the kerbside commingled as they are too small to be detected by our sorting machines. However, shredded cardboard and paper can be donated to the local pet shop to be used as bedding, used as mulch in the garden or mixed into a compost heap.
Cardboard and paper egg cartons are completely recyclable in your commingled bin. Make sure they are clean, dry and free from any food and egg stains before placing them in the bin.
Hard drives are e-waste and are not recyclable through your commingled recycling bin. Drop off these off at TechCollect collection points nationwide or contact your local council for advice.
CD and DVD cases are usually made out of a mixture of plastics that cannot be recycled through your kerbside commingled recycling bin. However, depending on location, certain Community Recycling Centres may accept them for recycling. Contact your local council to see if your local recycling centre accepts them. Otherwise, dispose of them in the general waste bin.
Electrical appliances such as kettles, microwaves, game consoles, lamps and others are recyclable but must be sent to an approved recycler. Contact your local council to learn more.
Ceramic and glass dinnerware such as plates and cups cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled recycling bin. They are often made up of different materials and composition which render them unsuitable for recycling. Glass crockery such as drinking glasses and plates in particular, have a different melting point compared to glass beverage containers, which can contaminate and landfill a batch of glass beverage container recyclables. If your dinnerware is in good condition, consider donating or repurposing them. Otherwise, place them in the general waste bin.
Ceramic items, especially cookware such as pots and pans cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin. Mixing them up with glass contaminates glass and renders the entire pile unusable, as ceramic cannot be remelted to form new glass or ceramic items. Instead, consider donating or repurposing ceramic items that are in good condition. Otherwise, wrap them in old newspapers and place them in the general waste bin.
Broken metal cutlery may be accepted in some locations, provided you place them inside similar containers before disposing in your commingled bins. Metal cutleries in good condition can be donated, sold or repurposed. Otherwise, contact your local council for more information.
Clean and dry glass bottles can be recycled in most locations, but some municipalities may require these items to be placed in a separate bin. Contact your local council to learn more.
Never place any form of chemicals, including cleaning chemicals, in your bin. Contact your local council to find out where you can dispose of this safely.
Black meat trays go into your general waste bin as recycling machines cannot sort them. Transparent or white meat trays may be recyclable in select locations, depending on its material. Contact your local council to learn more.
Clothing and other textiles cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Upcycle, donate or repurpose fabrics and textiles in good condition. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin for disposal.
Waxed paper and cardboard cannot be recycled or composted as it usually comes with a layer of plastic that doesn't biodegrade. Place this in your general waste bin.
Check with the manufacturer to see if your used coffee pods and capsules can be recycled. Never put them into the commingled recycling bin, as these items are too small to be sorted and usually have leftover organic material. Place them in your general waste bin instead.
Check with the manufacturer to see if your used coffee pods and capsules can be recycled. Never put them into the commingled recycling bin, as these items are too small to be sorted and usually have leftover organic material. Place them in your general waste bin instead.
Flatten clean and dry cardboard boxes before disposal in your commingled bin.
Wet or soiled cardboard cannot be recycled as these can contaminate the recyclables, so it must be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Shredded or torn cardboard are also not recyclable through the kerbside commingled as they are too small to be detected by our sorting machines. However, shredded cardboard and paper can be donated to the local pet shop to be used as bedding, used as mulch in the garden or mixed into a compost heap.
Cooking fats and oils are not recyclable NOR should you pour them down the drains. Allow them to cool before collecting them into a sealed container for disposal in your general waste bin.
Timber can be recycled through your council's bulk waste services depending on its condition and whether it's treated or untreated. Contact your local council to learn more.
Clothing and other textiles cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Upcycle, donate or repurpose fabrics and textiles in good condition. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin for disposal.
Ceramic items, especially cookware such as pots and pans cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin. Mixing them up with glass contaminates glass and renders the entire pile unusable, as ceramic cannot be remelted to form new glass or ceramic items. Instead, consider donating or repurposing ceramic items that are in good condition. Otherwise, wrap them in old newspapers and place them in the general waste bin.
Broken metal cutlery may be accepted in some locations, provided you place them inside similar containers before disposing in your commingled bins. Metal cutleries in good condition can be donated, sold or repurposed. Otherwise, contact your local council for more information.
Glass cookware lids cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin as these have a different composition and can ruin an entire batch of recyclable glass during the melting process. Glass cookware lids in good condition can be donated or reused elsewhere. Otherwise, place them in the general waste bin.
Perfume bottles and cosmetic glass jars are not recyclable due to their mixed glass nature. Disassembly, clean and make sure they free of any residue before placing these into your general waste bin. You may also check with your perfume or cosmetic seller if they will accept used packaging.
Broken metal cutlery may be accepted in some locations, provided you place them inside similar containers before disposing in your commingled bins. Metal cutleries in good condition can be donated, sold or repurposed. Otherwise, contact your local council for more information.
Empty, clean and dry ice cream tubs and containers made of plastic can be recycled in your commingled bin.
Cardboard ice cream containers are often layered with a thin plastic which may not be recyclable. Check with your local council for more information.
Degreasers can come in a variety of packaging, from aerosol spray cans to large bulk containers. These should never be disposed through your general waste bin, even if they are empty. Instead, you can drop them off at household hazardous waste drop off events. Depending on location and council, these may either be dedicated events or permanent drop-off locations. Contact your local council to learn more.
Aerosol cans often contain flammable propellant that can turn them into fire risks. Depending on your location, completely empty aerosol cans can be recycled with their plastic caps and covers off in the commingled recycling bin. In Western Australia, aerosol cans are classified as Household Hazardous Waste and banned from the kerbside bin. However, these can be recycled at a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off point or event.
Aerosol cans should be treated as household hazardous waste and recycled appropriately. Check with your local council to learn more about Household Hazardous Waste drop-off points and events.
Never place any form of chemicals, including cleaning chemicals, in your bin. Contact your local council to find out where you can dispose of this safely.
Made of rigid plastic, a completely empty and used roll-on deodorant can be recycled in your commingled bin. Remove lid before placing it loose in the bin.
Aerosol cans often contain flammable propellant that can turn them into fire risks. Depending on your location, completely empty aerosol cans can be recycled with their plastic caps and covers off in the commingled recycling bin. In Western Australia, aerosol cans are classified as Household Hazardous Waste and banned from the kerbside bin. However, these can be recycled at a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off point or event.
Aerosol cans should be treated as household hazardous waste and recycled appropriately. Check with your local council to learn more about Household Hazardous Waste drop-off points and events.
Rigid plastic containers like detergent bottles can be recycled in the commingled bin. Make sure to empty, clean, and separate the lid from the bottle before placing it into the bin.
Rigid plastic bottles, such as hand sanitisers, drinking water and shampoo bottles can all be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. Remove the lids from the bottles and place them loose in your commingled recycling bin.
Rigid plastic containers such as shampoo and conditioner bottles can be recycled in your commingled recycling bin. Empty, rinse and dry before placing them in the bin.
Dish drying racks are usually composed of several materials, including stainless steel and plastic. This renders them unsuitable for recycling in your commingled bin. Completely metal drying racks may be recycled as white goods or as scrap metal, but check with council before disposal.
Broken metal cutlery may be accepted in some locations, provided you place them inside similar containers before disposing in your commingled bins. Metal cutleries in good condition can be donated, sold or repurposed. Otherwise, contact your local council for more information.
After using disposable face coverings and surgical masks, cut the ear loops. This prevents wildlife from getting entangled. Place your face coverings or surgical masks in a separate bag before disposing of it in your general waste bin. If the covering has touched any other recyclables such as cardboard and paper, those should go into the general waste bin as well.
Clothing and other textiles cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Upcycle, donate or repurpose fabrics and textiles in good condition. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin for disposal.
Lolly wrappers are soft plastics that cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. They can be recycled in certain supermarkets and other dropoff points. Contact your local council to learn more.
Clothing and other textiles cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Upcycle, donate or repurpose fabrics and textiles in good condition. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin for disposal.
Rigid plastic containers such as shampoo and conditioner bottles can be recycled in your commingled recycling bin. Empty, rinse and dry before placing them in the bin.
Dry cleaning bags from the laundromat are made of soft plastics. These can be recycled through a soft plastic recycling scheme. If in doubt, contact your local council.
Lolly wrappers are soft plastics that cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. They can be recycled in certain supermarkets and other dropoff points. Contact your local council to learn more.
Cardboard and paper egg cartons are completely recyclable in your commingled bin. Make sure they are clean, dry and free from any food and egg stains before placing them in the bin.
Flatten clean and dry cardboard boxes before disposal in your commingled bin.
Wet or soiled cardboard cannot be recycled as these can contaminate the recyclables, so it must be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Shredded or torn cardboard are also not recyclable through the kerbside commingled as they are too small to be detected by our sorting machines. However, shredded cardboard and paper can be donated to the local pet shop to be used as bedding, used as mulch in the garden or mixed into a compost heap.
Foam boxes cannot be recycled in your commingled recycling bin. However, it may be recyclable in certain locations. Contact your local council to check.
Eggshells can be recycled in most food waste bins or mixed into compost. Scatter crushed eggshells around your plants to deter pests like slugs and snails. Bury crushed eggshells directly in the soil to give your plants a boost of calcium. Mostly-intact eggshells can also be used as small seedling pots.
Banana skins, like most other fruit peels, can be recycled and used in your home garden. They can be used straight away as compost or mulch, or turned into homemade liquid fertiliser, non-toxic pest repellant for plants, and as a slow-release fertiliser. Banana skins can also be recycled in most food waste bins.
Electrical appliances such as kettles, microwaves, game consoles, lamps and others are recyclable but must be sent to an approved recycler. Contact your local council to learn more.
Incandescent light bulbs and other light fixtures cannot be recycled in your commingled bin, as they contain hazardous materials. If your incandescent light fixture is broken, wrap carefully in old newspapers and place in your general waste bin. Otherwise, you can check with your local light shops to see if they have a light bulb recycling program. You can also contact your local council to learn where you can drop them off safely.
Electrical cables cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin. However, they can be recycled as e-waste or scrap metal, depending on your location. Check with your council to learn where you can drop these off.
Depending on your location, small wooden branches and garden prunings may be recyclable. Contact your local council to learn more. Otherwise place them in your general waste bin.
Lolly wrappers are soft plastics that cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. They can be recycled in certain supermarkets and other dropoff points. Contact your local council to learn more.
Depending on your location, real flowers may be recycled as compost. Check with your local council to learn more.
Plastic flowers cannot be recycled and should be placed in the general waste bin.
Depending on your location, small wooden branches and garden prunings may be recyclable. Contact your local council to learn more. Otherwise place them in your general waste bin.
Fluorescent tubes and other light fixtures cannot be recycled in your commingled bin as they contain hazardous materials. Contact your local council to learn where you can drop them off safely.
Incandescent light bulbs and other light fixtures cannot be recycled in your commingled bin, as they contain hazardous materials. If your incandescent light fixture is broken, wrap carefully in old newspapers and place in your general waste bin. Otherwise, you can check with your local light shops to see if they have a light bulb recycling program. You can also contact your local council to learn where you can drop them off safely.
Foam boxes cannot be recycled in your commingled recycling bin. However, it may be recyclable in certain locations. Contact your local council to check.
Polystyrene and styrofoam cannot be recycled through your commingled recycling bin. Contact your local council to see if a polystyrene recycling program is available.
Flatten clean and dry cardboard boxes before disposal in your commingled bin.
Wet or soiled cardboard cannot be recycled as these can contaminate the recyclables, so it must be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Shredded or torn cardboard are also not recyclable through the kerbside commingled as they are too small to be detected by our sorting machines. However, shredded cardboard and paper can be donated to the local pet shop to be used as bedding, used as mulch in the garden or mixed into a compost heap.
Aluminium foil trays can be recycled. Just ensure they're clean, dry and empty. However, foil packaging for crisp packages and similar material which are made of metallised plastic are not accepted.
To check, scrunch the material into a ball. If it stays in shape, it is aluminium foil and can be placed in your commingled bin. If it "bounces back" then it is plastic and should be placed in your general waste bin.
Lolly wrappers are soft plastics that cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. They can be recycled in certain supermarkets and other dropoff points. Contact your local council to learn more.
Rigid plastic bottles, such as hand sanitisers, drinking water and shampoo bottles can all be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. Remove the lids from the bottles and place them loose in your commingled recycling bin.
Most fresh milk, juice cartons and other tetrapak containers are made of liquid paperboard (LPB) and may be recycled in certain locations. Always empty, rinse and dry these cartons and containers before placing them in the bin. Check with your council for more information about the right way to dispose of this material.
Rigid plastic bottles, such as hand sanitisers, drinking water and shampoo bottles can all be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. Remove the lids from the bottles and place them loose in your commingled recycling bin.
Wooden planks and furniture in good condition can be resold, donated or repurposed. Never put it in your commingled recycling bin. Contact your local council for more information to learn how to recycle this item.
Gardening tools such as shears and hoses do not belong in your commingled recycling bin. If in doubt, contact your local council to learn where you can dispose of them safely.
Gas cylinders, bottles and butane canisters are a potential fire risk. Swap out empty cylinders with the manufacturer, drop off at a council hazardous waste collection point or at a transfer station near you.
Aerosol cans often contain flammable propellant that can turn them into fire risks. Depending on your location, completely empty aerosol cans can be recycled with their plastic caps and covers off in the commingled recycling bin. In Western Australia, aerosol cans are classified as Household Hazardous Waste and banned from the kerbside bin. However, these can be recycled at a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off point or event.
Aerosol cans should be treated as household hazardous waste and recycled appropriately. Check with your local council to learn more about Household Hazardous Waste drop-off points and events.
Clean and dry glass bottles can be recycled in most locations, but some municipalities may require these items to be placed in a separate bin. Contact your local council to learn more.
Broken glass from glass bottles and jars may be recyclable in some locations. Always check with your local council before disposal. All other glassware are not recyclable and should be bagged and placed in your general waste bin.
Glass cookware lids cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin as these have a different composition and can ruin an entire batch of recyclable glass during the melting process. Glass cookware lids in good condition can be donated or reused elsewhere. Otherwise, place them in the general waste bin.
Clean and dry glass bottles can be recycled in most locations, but some municipalities may require these items to be placed in a separate bin. Contact your local council to learn more.
Broken glass from glass bottles and jars may be recyclable in some locations. Always check with your local council before disposal. All other glassware are not recyclable and should be bagged and placed in your general waste bin.
Unless specifically requested by your council, always remove jars and lids from your containers, jars and cartons. Sort the lids by type (plastic in one pile, metal in another), then place them in a corresponding container before disposal.
Clean and dry glass bottles can be recycled in most locations, but some municipalities may require these items to be placed in a separate bin. Contact your local council to learn more.
Books in good conditions can be donated or passed on. Some locations will accept books in the commingled recycling bin. Otherwise, place it in your general waste bin. Contact your local council to confirm.
Clean wrapping papers can go into your commingled recycling bin except if they are made from foil or plastic. Small bits of wrapping paper cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Clean wrapping papers can go into your commingled recycling bin except if they are made from foil or plastic. Small bits of wrapping paper cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Human and animal hair are organic materials and may be recycled as compost or placed in a FOGO bin. Contact your local council before you place them in the bin.
Hard drives are e-waste and are not recyclable through your commingled recycling bin. Drop off these off at TechCollect collection points nationwide or contact your local council for advice.
Batteries should be never be placed in any of your kerbside bins due to its flammable nature, especially single-use type such as AAAA, single cell and 9V batteries. Instead, store in a cool and dry place pending recycling. Single-use batteries can be recycled at retail locations such as Aldi, Officeworks, and selected waste management transfer stations and facilities. Lithium-ion batteries, found in most laptops and smartphones, should be recycled as e-waste.
Depending on your location, hot water bottles may be recyclable. Check with your local council to confirm. Otherwise, dispose in your general waste bin.
Lolly wrappers are soft plastics that cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. They can be recycled in certain supermarkets and other dropoff points. Contact your local council to learn more.
Never place any form of chemicals, including cleaning chemicals, in your bin. Contact your local council to find out where you can dispose of this safely.
Paint stripper and thinners are classified as household hazardous waste. Contact your local council to learn more about hazardous household waste drop-offs.
Empty, clean and dry ice cream tubs and containers made of plastic can be recycled in your commingled bin.
Cardboard ice cream containers are often layered with a thin plastic which may not be recyclable. Check with your local council for more information.
Incandescent light bulbs and other light fixtures cannot be recycled in your commingled bin, as they contain hazardous materials. If your incandescent light fixture is broken, wrap carefully in old newspapers and place in your general waste bin. Otherwise, you can check with your local light shops to see if they have a light bulb recycling program. You can also contact your local council to learn where you can drop them off safely.
Fluorescent tubes and other light fixtures cannot be recycled in your commingled bin as they contain hazardous materials. Contact your local council to learn where you can drop them off safely.
Insecticides and pesticides are classified as Hazardous Household Waste. They cannot go into your commingled recycling or general waste bin. Check with your local council to find out where you can send them for safe disposal.
Aerosol cans often contain flammable propellant that can turn them into fire risks. Depending on your location, completely empty aerosol cans can be recycled with their plastic caps and covers off in the commingled recycling bin. In Western Australia, aerosol cans are classified as Household Hazardous Waste and banned from the kerbside bin. However, these can be recycled at a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off point or event.
Aerosol cans should be treated as household hazardous waste and recycled appropriately. Check with your local council to learn more about Household Hazardous Waste drop-off points and events.
Leftover paint and empty paint containers can be recycled through Paintback. Do not dispose leftover paint and containers in your general waste or commingled recycling bins.
Single-component varnishes can be recycled through Paintback or household hazardous waste collection services and drop-offs. These should never be placed in your general waste or commingled recycling bins. If in doubt, contact your local council to learn where you can drop off your varnishes.
Clean, dry and empty glass jars can be recycled in most locations, but certain municipalities may require these items to be placed in a different bin. When in doubt, check with your local council.
Clean and dry glass bottles can be recycled in most locations, but some municipalities may require these items to be placed in a separate bin. Contact your local council to learn more.
All kettles do not belong in your kerbside recycling bin. Electric kettles in particular, can become a fire hazard if improperly disposed. Most kettles contain metal elements that can be recovered for recycling. Consider upcycling or donating your old kettles instead of disposal. Traditional stovetop kettles can be dropped off at a metals recycling facility while electric kettles should go to a whitegoods facility. When in doubt, contact your local council for advice.
Human and animal hair are organic materials and may be recycled as compost or placed in a FOGO bin. Contact your local council before you place them in the bin.
Knitting needles made of unvarnished wood may be recycled in your commingled waste bin. However broken and knitting needles made of other materials should be placed in your general waste bin.
Depending on your location, small wooden branches and garden prunings may be recyclable. Contact your local council to learn more. Otherwise place them in your general waste bin.
Depending on your location, real flowers may be recycled as compost. Check with your local council to learn more.
Plastic flowers cannot be recycled and should be placed in the general waste bin.
Unless specifically requested by your council, always remove jars and lids from your containers, jars and cartons. Sort the lids by type (plastic in one pile, metal in another), then place them in a corresponding container before disposal.
Clean and dry glass bottles can be recycled in most locations, but some municipalities may require these items to be placed in a separate bin. Contact your local council to learn more.
Lolly wrappers are soft plastics that cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. They can be recycled in certain supermarkets and other dropoff points. Contact your local council to learn more.
Black meat trays go into your general waste bin as recycling machines cannot sort them. Transparent or white meat trays may be recyclable in select locations, depending on its material. Contact your local council to learn more.
Fluorescent tubes and other light fixtures cannot be recycled in your commingled bin as they contain hazardous materials. Contact your local council to learn where you can drop them off safely.
Incandescent light bulbs and other light fixtures cannot be recycled in your commingled bin, as they contain hazardous materials. If your incandescent light fixture is broken, wrap carefully in old newspapers and place in your general waste bin. Otherwise, you can check with your local light shops to see if they have a light bulb recycling program. You can also contact your local council to learn where you can drop them off safely.
Rigid plastic containers like margarine and butter tubs can be recycled in your commingled bin. Make sure they are clean, empty and dry before placing them loose in the bin.
Rigid plastic containers like detergent bottles can be recycled in the commingled bin. Make sure to empty, clean, and separate the lid from the bottle before placing it into the bin.
Mattresses and mattress toppers cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. They can be disposed through a hard waste collection or at selected drop-off points. Mattress toppers can also be repurposed into new cushions. Contact your local council for advice on safe disposal.
Black meat trays go into your general waste bin as recycling machines cannot sort them. Transparent or white meat trays may be recyclable in select locations, depending on its material. Contact your local council to learn more.
Lolly wrappers are soft plastics that cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. They can be recycled in certain supermarkets and other dropoff points. Contact your local council to learn more.
Aluminium foil trays can be recycled. Just ensure they're clean, dry and empty. However, foil packaging for crisp packages and similar material which are made of metallised plastic are not accepted.
To check, scrunch the material into a ball. If it stays in shape, it is aluminium foil and can be placed in your commingled bin. If it "bounces back" then it is plastic and should be placed in your general waste bin.
Expired or leftover medication cannot be put into your bins, but will be accepted at some community pharmacies and other locations. Contact your local council for safe disposal advice.
Empty, clean and dry ice cream tubs and containers made of plastic can be recycled in your commingled bin.
Cardboard ice cream containers are often layered with a thin plastic which may not be recyclable. Check with your local council for more information.
Aluminium foil trays can be recycled. Just ensure they're clean, dry and empty. However, foil packaging for crisp packages and similar material which are made of metallised plastic are not accepted.
To check, scrunch the material into a ball. If it stays in shape, it is aluminium foil and can be placed in your commingled bin. If it "bounces back" then it is plastic and should be placed in your general waste bin.
Depending on your location, hot water bottles may be recyclable. Check with your local council to confirm. Otherwise, dispose in your general waste bin.
Expired or leftover medication cannot be put into your bins, but will be accepted at some community pharmacies and other locations. Contact your local council for safe disposal advice.
Single-use mesh and fruit netting bags cannot be recycled through your commingled kerbside bin, as they are made of soft plastic and can get tangled in the sorting machinery. Instead, upcycle and use them as crafts . Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin.
Metal ring lids and pull tabs for food tins and drinks can be placed in your commingled recycling bin. Give them a quick rinse to remove any food stains and then place it back either into the same metal can or in a similar metal container. Be careful handling these lids as the edges may be sharp.
Old, broken or disused microwaves cannot be simply disposed of as they contain electronic components that can cause fires in the truck or facility. Instead, treat them like whitegoods and either drop them off at an approved whitegoods drop-off or contact your local council for guidance.
Hard drives are e-waste and are not recyclable through your commingled recycling bin. Drop off these off at TechCollect collection points nationwide or contact your local council for advice.
Batteries should be never be placed in any of your kerbside bins due to its flammable nature, especially single-use type such as AAAA, single cell and 9V batteries. Instead, store in a cool and dry place pending recycling. Single-use batteries can be recycled at retail locations such as Aldi, Officeworks, and selected waste management transfer stations and facilities. Lithium-ion batteries, found in most laptops and smartphones, should be recycled as e-waste.
USB stick and drives are e-waste and cannot be recycled in the commingled recycling bin. Drop off these off at TechCollect collection points nationwide or contact your local council for advice.
Nail clippers cannot be disposed in your commingled recycling bin as they are too small. Instead, clean and sanitise metal nail clippers you intend to donate or dispose. Nail clippers in good condition may be donated at shelters; call ahead before donating. You can also drop off used nail clippers at metal recycling or your local transfer stations.
Leftover nail polish is classified as a hazardous chemical as it may harm the environment if not disposed properly. Contact your local council to learn more about safe disposal of hazardous household chemicals.
Toothbrushes cannot be recycled as they are too small to be picked up by the sorting machine and are made of mixed materials. However, certain locations may offer toothbrush recycling programs. Check with your local council to learn more.
Leftover nail polish is classified as a hazardous chemical as it may harm the environment if not disposed properly. Contact your local council to learn more about safe disposal of hazardous household chemicals.
Clean wrapping papers can go into your commingled recycling bin except if they are made from foil or plastic. Small bits of wrapping paper cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Oily rags cannot be recycled in your commingled bin or placed in your general waste bin. If not stored properly, oily rags can turn into a fire hazard, likely to combust when exposed to temperature changes and possible friction. Check with your local council to learn where you can drop off your oily rags.
Motor oil and its containers cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Contact your local council to find the nearest drop off points for your used motor oil, filters and containers.
Old cotton towels, sheets and rags cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin. Depending on your location and the condition of the textile, these can be donated to goodwill and charity organisations, turned into oily rags, or used in craft projects. Some retailers will also accept these textiles for recycling, but check before you drop off. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin.
Oily rags cannot be recycled in your commingled bin or placed in your general waste bin. If not stored properly, oily rags can turn into a fire hazard, likely to combust when exposed to temperature changes and possible friction. Check with your local council to learn where you can drop off your oily rags.
Clothing and other textiles cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Upcycle, donate or repurpose fabrics and textiles in good condition. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin for disposal.
Leftover paint and empty paint containers can be recycled through Paintback. Do not dispose leftover paint and containers in your general waste or commingled recycling bins.
Paint stripper and thinners are classified as household hazardous waste. Contact your local council to learn more about hazardous household waste drop-offs.
Paint brushes and rollers, even those with wooden handles, cannot be recycled in your commingled recycling bin. The wooden handles are often made of treated wood and are unsuitable for organics recycling. After painting, clean, dry and store them in a well-ventilated area to be used for your next project. If there is too much residue on the paint brushes and rollers, check with your nearest household hazardous drop-off point to see if they will accept wet paint brushes and rollers.
Leftover paint and empty paint containers can be recycled through Paintback. Do not dispose leftover paint and containers in your general waste or commingled recycling bins.
Paint stripper and thinners are classified as household hazardous waste. Contact your local council to learn more about hazardous household waste drop-offs.
Paint stripper and thinners are classified as household hazardous waste. Contact your local council to learn more about hazardous household waste drop-offs.
Leftover paint and empty paint containers can be recycled through Paintback. Do not dispose leftover paint and containers in your general waste or commingled recycling bins.
Clean wrapping papers can go into your commingled recycling bin except if they are made from foil or plastic. Small bits of wrapping paper cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Used paper towels, napkins and tissues cannot be recycled. Some locations may accept them as compost material. Contact your local council to learn more.
Paper with sticky tape, watercolour, crayons and similar applications can be recycled in your kerbside commingled recycling bin. This includes paper that has double-sided tape and scribbles with charcoal drawings on them. The paint, charcoal, sticky tape and even staples will be removed during the recycling process, so you can put them into your kerbside commingled bin.
Pens, colour pencils, and other writing stationery and utensils cannot be recycled in your commingled bin as these are too small to be picked up by the sorting machinery. Instead, consider donating or gifting writing utensils in good condition to local schools or charities. You can also check with your local council or do an online search to find pencils and pen recycling services and programmes nearby.
Pens, colour pencils, and other writing stationery and utensils cannot be recycled in your commingled bin as these are too small to be picked up by the sorting machinery. Instead, consider donating or gifting writing utensils in good condition to local schools or charities. You can also check with your local council or do an online search to find pencils and pen recycling services and programmes nearby.
Perfume bottles and cosmetic glass jars are not recyclable due to their mixed glass nature. Disassembly, clean and make sure they free of any residue before placing these into your general waste bin. You may also check with your perfume or cosmetic seller if they will accept used packaging.
Motor oil and its containers cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Contact your local council to find the nearest drop off points for your used motor oil, filters and containers.
Paint stripper and thinners are classified as household hazardous waste. Contact your local council to learn more about hazardous household waste drop-offs.
Photographs and negatives are generally unrecyclable and should be placed in your general waste bin. Check with your local council to see if a recycling program exists.
Books in good conditions can be donated or passed on. Some locations will accept books in the commingled recycling bin. Otherwise, place it in your general waste bin. Contact your local council to confirm.
Consider upcycling your picture frames if they are still in good condition. Plain picture frames made of paper and untreated wood can be recycled. Picture frames made of plastic and other materials are not recyclable and must be placed in the general waste bin.
Contact your local council for more information.
Clean pizza boxes with no food stains can be recycled in your commingled recycling bin.
Soiled pizza boxes with greasy food stains should be placed in your general waste bin.
Most fresh milk, juice cartons and other tetrapak containers are made of liquid paperboard (LPB) and may be recycled in certain locations. Always empty, rinse and dry these cartons and containers before placing them in the bin. Check with your council for more information about the right way to dispose of this material.
Flatten clean and dry cardboard boxes before disposal in your commingled bin.
Wet or soiled cardboard cannot be recycled as these can contaminate the recyclables, so it must be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Shredded or torn cardboard are also not recyclable through the kerbside commingled as they are too small to be detected by our sorting machines. However, shredded cardboard and paper can be donated to the local pet shop to be used as bedding, used as mulch in the garden or mixed into a compost heap.
Rigid plastic bottles, such as hand sanitisers, drinking water and shampoo bottles can all be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. Remove the lids from the bottles and place them loose in your commingled recycling bin.
Rigid plastic containers such as shampoo and conditioner bottles can be recycled in your commingled recycling bin. Empty, rinse and dry before placing them in the bin.
Pram and strollers cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. If in good condition, look out for local groups that can take and donate your used pram and strollers. Otherwise, contact your local council for advice.
Plastic coated wire mesh is not recyclable due to the plastic coating. Instead, consider donating those in good conditions to local charities or projects. Otherwise, these belong in your kerbside general waste or hard waste bins.
Scrap building material such as metal nails, nuts, bolts, hinges, and off-cuts cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin as they are too small and may present a hazard during the sorting process. Instead, recycle these items as scrap metal. Check with your local council to learn where you can dispose scrap building material safely.
Plastic milk bottles are made of HDPE and can be recycled in your commingled recycling bin as rigid plastic. Just make sure the bottle is empty and dry of any milk or liquid before placing it into your bin.
Bottle tops are recyclable in certain locations. If so, they should be collected in a separate container before being placed in your commingled recycling bin.
Check with your local council or service provider before recycling it.
Rigid plastic containers like detergent bottles can be recycled in the commingled bin. Make sure to empty, clean, and separate the lid from the bottle before placing it into the bin.
Polystyrene and styrofoam cannot be recycled through your commingled recycling bin. Contact your local council to see if a polystyrene recycling program is available.
Black meat trays go into your general waste bin as recycling machines cannot sort them. Transparent or white meat trays may be recyclable in select locations, depending on its material. Contact your local council to learn more.
Power boards, extensions and plugs cannot go into your commingled or general waste recycling bin as they have electronic components. Instead, check with your local council for an e-waste drop off.
Electrical cables cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin. However, they can be recycled as e-waste or scrap metal, depending on your location. Check with your council to learn where you can drop these off.
Old and broken power tools cannot be placed in any of your kerbside bins as the batteries within them can start fires. Some manufacturers and dealers will accept old power tools for recycling. Check with your local hardware stores and council to learn where you can drop these off.
Old and broken power tools cannot be placed in any of your kerbside bins as the batteries within them can start fires. Some manufacturers and dealers will accept old power tools for recycling. Check with your local hardware stores and council to learn where you can drop these off.
Electrical appliances such as kettles, microwaves, game consoles, lamps and others are recyclable but must be sent to an approved recycler. Contact your local council to learn more.
Pram and strollers cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. If in good condition, look out for local groups that can take and donate your used pram and strollers. Otherwise, contact your local council for advice.
Old, broken and unwanted printers are considered e-waste. These can be dropped off at select Officeworks and TechCollect drop-off points around the country. Some waste transfer stations may also accept e-waste such as printers and computers. Contact your local council to learn more about e-waste drop-off points in your location.
Electrical appliances such as kettles, microwaves, game consoles, lamps and others are recyclable but must be sent to an approved recycler. Contact your local council to learn more.
Plastic pipes made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are long-lasting and durable. These can often be recycled into new materials particularly for construction purposes. However, PVC pipes cannot be recycled in your commingled kerbside bin. Clean and unsoiled PVC pipes and offcuts can be taken to recyclers and dropped off for free.
Rigid plastic bottles, such as hand sanitisers, drinking water and shampoo bottles can all be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. Remove the lids from the bottles and place them loose in your commingled recycling bin.
Scrap building material such as metal nails, nuts, bolts, hinges, and off-cuts cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin as they are too small and may present a hazard during the sorting process. Instead, recycle these items as scrap metal. Check with your local council to learn where you can dispose scrap building material safely.
Razor blades, whether as detachable blade heads or as part of a disposable razor, should not be recycled or disposed in your kerbside bin. Depending on your location, you can dispose used razor blades and disposable razors as sharps waste in dedicated sharps waste community bins or recycle through a dedicated razor recycling service.
Aluminium foil should be clean and free of contaminants such as food. These can be scrunched into a ball and placed into another aluminium container such as a food can for recycling.
Receipts, shopping dockets and anything printed on thermal paper cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin. These receipts are often coated with chemicals, including one called Bisphenol-A. Also known as BPA, this industrial checmical can have adverse effects on human health. Studies have found that BPA can persist through both the composting and recycling process. Place your waxed or thermal paper receipts in the general waste bin.
Ropes cannot be placed in your commingled recycling bin as they are usually made of mixed plastic. Depending on the length, certain ropes can be placed together with your hard waste collection. Contact your local council to learn more.
Rubber bands and other elastics are often non-recyclable in the kerbside commingled bin as they are too small to be sorted and can also jam the sorting machinery. If it is still in good condition, consider repurposing rubber and elastic bands for use around the house, such as tying loose cables, sealing bags and even as an impromptu jar lid holder for lids that are sealed too tight. You can also consider donating rubber and elastic bands to nearby schools if they accept such donations. Otherwise, place broken and used rubber and elastic bands in your general waste bin.
Clothing and other textiles cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Upcycle, donate or repurpose fabrics and textiles in good condition. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin for disposal.
Rugs and carpets cannot be recycled in the commingled bin. Check with your local charities or secondhand shops if they will accept rugs and carpets in good conditions. Wool rugs and carpets with natural backing material can also be composted, but check with your manufacturer first. Otherwise, place in your general waste bin. If it is too large, dispose of it in your hardwaste collection.
Clothing and other textiles cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Upcycle, donate or repurpose fabrics and textiles in good condition. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin for disposal.
Scrap building material such as metal nails, nuts, bolts, hinges, and off-cuts cannot be recycled in your kerbside commingled bin as they are too small and may present a hazard during the sorting process. Instead, recycle these items as scrap metal. Check with your local council to learn where you can dispose scrap building material safely.
Rigid plastic containers such as shampoo and conditioner bottles can be recycled in your commingled recycling bin. Empty, rinse and dry before placing them in the bin.
Rigid plastic containers like margarine and butter tubs can be recycled in your commingled bin. Make sure they are clean, empty and dry before placing them loose in the bin.
Rigid plastic containers like detergent bottles can be recycled in the commingled bin. Make sure to empty, clean, and separate the lid from the bottle before placing it into the bin.
Shoes, sandals, flip-flops (thongs) and other footwear cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. If these are in good condition, check with your local shoe stores and nearby charities to see if they will accept your washed and cleaned footwear as donations or for reuse. Some sport brands and retailers can even accept old and damaged footwear as materials to be recycled into new items. If these solutions are not available to you, place discarded footwear into your general waste bin.
Clothing and other textiles cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Upcycle, donate or repurpose fabrics and textiles in good condition. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin for disposal.
Shredded paper cannot be recycled in your commingled recycling bin as it is too small to be processed by sorting machines. Some locations may accept shredded paper as compost. Contact your local council to learn more.
Clean wrapping papers can go into your commingled recycling bin except if they are made from foil or plastic. Small bits of wrapping paper cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Battery powered smoke detectors, whether powered by lithium or single-use batteries, may be accepted in general waste, as long as the batteries are removed depending on the location. However, this varies widely by council, so always check with your local government authority before disposal.
Steel scrubbers, also known as metal scourers, steel wool or stainless steel scrubbing pads, can be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. They are usually made of metal and are completely recyclable. Make sure these are clean and dry without any food debris or grime before placing them in the bin.
Aluminium foil should be clean and free of contaminants such as food. These can be scrunched into a ball and placed into another aluminium container such as a food can for recycling.
Timber can be recycled through your council's bulk waste services depending on its condition and whether it's treated or untreated. Contact your local council to learn more.
Wooden planks and furniture in good condition can be resold, donated or repurposed. Never put it in your commingled recycling bin. Contact your local council for more information to learn how to recycle this item.
Building materials such as timber, concrete, plasterboard, vegetation and other materials should not be placed in household bins. Contact your local council to learn how to dispose of them before you begin your project.
Toothbrushes cannot be recycled as they are too small to be picked up by the sorting machine and are made of mixed materials. However, certain locations may offer toothbrush recycling programs. Check with your local council to learn more.
Toothbrushes cannot be recycled as they are too small to be picked up by the sorting machine and are made of mixed materials. However, certain locations may offer toothbrush recycling programs. Check with your local council to learn more.
Timber can be recycled through your council's bulk waste services depending on its condition and whether it's treated or untreated. Contact your local council to learn more.
Wooden planks and furniture in good condition can be resold, donated or repurposed. Never put it in your commingled recycling bin. Contact your local council for more information to learn how to recycle this item.
Twist ties cannot be recycled in the kerbside commingled bin due to their small size and mixed material composition. Instead, reuse twist ties that are in good condition, or gather them together in a single container before disposing them in your general waste bin.
Rubber bands and other elastics are often non-recyclable in the kerbside commingled bin as they are too small to be sorted and can also jam the sorting machinery. If it is still in good condition, consider repurposing rubber and elastic bands for use around the house, such as tying loose cables, sealing bags and even as an impromptu jar lid holder for lids that are sealed too tight. You can also consider donating rubber and elastic bands to nearby schools if they accept such donations. Otherwise, place broken and used rubber and elastic bands in your general waste bin.
Motor oil and its containers cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Contact your local council to find the nearest drop off points for your used motor oil, filters and containers.
Umbrellas, broken or not, cannot be recycled. If in good condition, considering donating or upcycling umbrellas. Otherwise, these will go into the general waste bin.
USB stick and drives are e-waste and cannot be recycled in the commingled recycling bin. Drop off these off at TechCollect collection points nationwide or contact your local council for advice.
Hard drives are e-waste and are not recyclable through your commingled recycling bin. Drop off these off at TechCollect collection points nationwide or contact your local council for advice.
Human and animal hair are organic materials and may be recycled as compost or placed in a FOGO bin. Contact your local council before you place them in the bin.
Single-component varnishes can be recycled through Paintback or household hazardous waste collection services and drop-offs. These should never be placed in your general waste or commingled recycling bins. If in doubt, contact your local council to learn where you can drop off your varnishes.
Leftover paint and empty paint containers can be recycled through Paintback. Do not dispose leftover paint and containers in your general waste or commingled recycling bins.
Paint stripper and thinners are classified as household hazardous waste. Contact your local council to learn more about hazardous household waste drop-offs.
Video games consoles are not covered by the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. Consider gifting, selling, or donating video game consoles in good condition. Contact your local council to learn how to dispose of broken gaming equipment.
USB stick and drives are e-waste and cannot be recycled in the commingled recycling bin. Drop off these off at TechCollect collection points nationwide or contact your local council for advice.
Hard drives are e-waste and are not recyclable through your commingled recycling bin. Drop off these off at TechCollect collection points nationwide or contact your local council for advice.
Waxed paper and cardboard cannot be recycled or composted as it usually comes with a layer of plastic that doesn't biodegrade. Place this in your general waste bin.
Empty, clean and dry ice cream tubs and containers made of plastic can be recycled in your commingled bin.
Cardboard ice cream containers are often layered with a thin plastic which may not be recyclable. Check with your local council for more information.
Depending on your location, weeds and garden waste may be recyclable. Contact your local council to learn more. Otherwise place them in your general waste bin.
Depending on your location, real flowers may be recycled as compost. Check with your local council to learn more.
Plastic flowers cannot be recycled and should be placed in the general waste bin.
Depending on your location, small wooden branches and garden prunings may be recyclable. Contact your local council to learn more. Otherwise place them in your general waste bin.
Rigid plastic bottles, such as hand sanitisers, drinking water and shampoo bottles can all be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. Remove the lids from the bottles and place them loose in your commingled recycling bin.
Broken glass from glass bottles and jars may be recyclable in some locations. Always check with your local council before disposal. All other glassware are not recyclable and should be bagged and placed in your general waste bin.
Depending on your location, small wooden branches and garden prunings may be recyclable. Contact your local council to learn more. Otherwise place them in your general waste bin.
Depending on your location, weeds and garden waste may be recyclable. Contact your local council to learn more. Otherwise place them in your general waste bin.
Depending on your location, real flowers may be recycled as compost. Check with your local council to learn more.
Plastic flowers cannot be recycled and should be placed in the general waste bin.
Wooden planks and furniture in good condition can be resold, donated or repurposed. Never put it in your commingled recycling bin. Contact your local council for more information to learn how to recycle this item.
Depending on your location, real flowers may be recycled as compost. Check with your local council to learn more.
Plastic flowers cannot be recycled and should be placed in the general waste bin.
Clean wrapping papers can go into your commingled recycling bin except if they are made from foil or plastic. Small bits of wrapping paper cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in your general waste bin.
X-Rays and other medical imaging film contain heavy metals and are considered e-waste. Do not put in your commingled recycling bin. Instead, check TechCollect for an e-waste drop-off location closest to you. For bigger volumes, contact us to set a pick-up appointment.
Expired or leftover medication cannot be put into your bins, but will be accepted at some community pharmacies and other locations. Contact your local council for safe disposal advice.
Yakult bottles are made of rigid plastic that can be recycled in both your commingled recycling bin and through a beverage container deposit scheme. Always empty, rinse and dry your Yakult bottles before recycling. To recycle your Yakult bottle, first remove the aluminium foil and scrunch it. Gather enough to make either a ball the size of a golf ball or place it into an aluminium can for recycling. Depending on your location, the Yakult plastic bottles may be accepted for recycling through a container deposit drop off point. Check with your local council to learn more.
Rigid plastic bottles, such as hand sanitisers, drinking water and shampoo bottles can all be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. Remove the lids from the bottles and place them loose in your commingled recycling bin.
Rigid plastic containers such as shampoo and conditioner bottles can be recycled in your commingled recycling bin. Empty, rinse and dry before placing them in the bin.
Yoga mats are durable but they are often made of unrecyclable material. If available, check with the manufacturer to see if they will accept the mats for recycling. Otherwise, upcycle the mats or place them in your general waste bin.
Mattresses and mattress toppers cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. They can be disposed through a hard waste collection or at selected drop-off points. Mattress toppers can also be repurposed into new cushions. Contact your local council for advice on safe disposal.
Rigid plastic containers like detergent bottles can be recycled in the commingled bin. Make sure to empty, clean, and separate the lid from the bottle before placing it into the bin.
Rigid plastic containers such as shampoo and conditioner bottles can be recycled in your commingled recycling bin. Empty, rinse and dry before placing them in the bin.
Both plastic and glass beverage bottles should be placed in your commingled recycling bin with the lids removed, unless advised differently by your council.
Zinc sheets and other building materials do not belong in your commingled recycling or general waste bin. Check with your local council to learn how to dispose of them.
Building materials such as timber, concrete, plasterboard, vegetation and other materials should not be placed in household bins. Contact your local council to learn how to dispose of them before you begin your project.
Wooden planks and furniture in good condition can be resold, donated or repurposed. Never put it in your commingled recycling bin. Contact your local council for more information to learn how to recycle this item.
Ziplock bags with an outer paper covering and a transparent plastic window are also known as standup pouch bags. These are not recyclable in your kerbside bin as they are made from mixed materials (paper and plastic). Place them in your general waste bin.
Plastic zip lock bags, also known as snap lock bags, are clear transparent bags that can be resealed. These are soft plastics and cannot be recycled in your kerbside bin.
Plastic zip lock bags, also known as snap lock bags, are clear transparent bags that can be resealed. These are soft plastics and cannot be recycled in your kerbside bin.
Rigid plastic bottles, such as hand sanitisers, drinking water and shampoo bottles can all be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. Remove the lids from the bottles and place them loose in your commingled recycling bin.
Fluorescent tubes and other light fixtures cannot be recycled in your commingled bin as they contain hazardous materials. Contact your local council to learn where you can drop them off safely.
Video games consoles are not covered by the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. Consider gifting, selling, or donating video game consoles in good condition. Contact your local council to learn how to dispose of broken gaming equipment.
Incandescent light bulbs and other light fixtures cannot be recycled in your commingled bin, as they contain hazardous materials. If your incandescent light fixture is broken, wrap carefully in old newspapers and place in your general waste bin. Otherwise, you can check with your local light shops to see if they have a light bulb recycling program. You can also contact your local council to learn where you can drop them off safely.
Clothing and other textiles cannot be recycled in your commingled bin. Upcycle, donate or repurpose fabrics and textiles in good condition. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin for disposal.
Always compact your cardboard boxes before binning them
Got chocolate?
The alufoil is recyclable! Just scrunch into a ball and place into an alu can for recycling.
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What happens after I recycle?
Collected recyclables are screened for contamination before processing. If a batch has too many contaminants (such as textiles, nappies and other non-recyclable items) mixed in, the entire batch will be sent to landfill. This is why recycling correctly is so important – putting an item that needs to be recycled elsewhere into your commingled bin will not “magically” ensure the item is recycled.
Uncontaminated recycling is a high quality commodity that can be used to replace virgin raw material. Some recyclables such as e-waste, is broken down into component parts, while others are baled and sent directly to recyclers. If you have ever wondered where does recyclable items after you place them in your bin, then this section is for you.
Most paper and cardboard items such as magazines, boxes and windowed envelopes can be recycled into new paper products.
Glass bottles and jars can be recycled into new glass bottles and jars almost infinitely. Crushed glass can also be used as an environmentally-friendly substitute for sand in roadworks.
Single-use rigid plastic containers such as plastic bottles, deodorants, and butter tubs can be turned into new containers or used to create polar fleece jackets and park benches.
Aluminium can be recycled almost infinitely with minimal loss of quality. Recycling aluminium can save up to 95% of the energy required to make a new can from raw materials.
Food waste and other organic waste can be turned into compost and other beneficial soil conditioners. However, strict guidelines apply to minimise contamination and ensure the organic material is safe to be used.
Most paper and cardboard items such as magazines, boxes and windowed envelopes can be recycled into new paper products.
Glass bottles and jars can be recycled into new glass bottles and jars almost infinitely. Crushed glass can also be used as an environmentally-friendly substitute for sand in roadworks.
Single-use rigid plastic containers such as plastic bottles, deodorants, and butter tubs can be turned into new containers or used to create polar fleece jackets and park benches.
Aluminium can be recycled almost infinitely with minimal loss of quality. Recycling aluminium can save up to 95% of the energy required to make a new can from raw materials.
Food waste and other organic waste can be turned into compost and other beneficial soil conditioners. However, strict guidelines apply to minimise contamination and ensure the organic material is safe to be used.
Home
Recycling Directory
FOGO
Hazardous Waste
Recycling journey
Resources
National Recycling Week
For Schools
Resources
Check out these resources, including downloadable fact sheets, informational videos and easy-to-read ebooks.
It may look innocent enough but used batteries and other e-waste can cause major fires when disposed of in the kerbside bin. Batteries rub against each other in the back of the truck creating friction that can quickly become a fire because of other flammable material in the truck and recycling centres. Dispose of your used batteries at an an e-waste drop off point near you instead.
Keep batteries out of kerbside bins
It may look innocent enough but used batteries and other e-waste can cause major fires when disposed of in the kerbside bin. Batteries rub against each other in the back of the truck creating friction that can quickly become a fire because of other flammable material in the truck and recycling centres. Dispose of your used batteries at an an e-waste drop off point near you instead.
How do you dispose of used batteries safely?
Batteries in the kerbside bin can lead to major fires in garbage trucks and recycling centres. Find an e-waste drop off point near you instead.
Victorian Commingled Resource Recovery
Ever wondered what happens to your recycling? Follow the journey of a kerbside bin to our Material Recovery Facility in Victoria, one of many MRFs around Australia designed to sort commingled recycling into streams of paper, cardboard, hard plastic, aluminium and glass.
- Learn how optical sorting machines recognise and separate materials according to their size
- Find out why items like soft plastic and hazardous waste don’t belong in recycling streams
- Discover how each waste stream can be reused and recycled into new products
Journey of a plastic bottle
A sustainable recycling system is when items are recycled then reused in the manufacturing process in place of raw materials. This incredible film by TOMRA Australia tracks the journey of a plastic bottle from the time it is used, returned through a container deposit scheme, then recycled into a new bottle again.