Reduce, Reuse and Recycle should be the motto everyone lives by. When it comes to general recycling at home, what are the items that you can and cannot recycle? 

We have prepared a useful post on how to improve recycling at home, and how to recycle things including odd household items.

A recent study showed that Brisbane residents improved their recycling habits since 2012, reducing the percentage of recyclables being incorrectly disposed of in rubbish bins from 28% to 15% in 2020. Great news but there is still more we can do to help improve recycling in our homes.

In Australia, it’s reported that up to 25% of the rubbish we send to landfills could be recycled. Let’s take a look at some of the places in the household where we can improve on our recycling.

Recycling Kitchen Items

The kitchen is a major part of our household where we can improve our recycling habits and reduce our waste. Items such as jars, plastic bottles, plastic containers like sushi, ice cream tubs, and cleaning product containers can all be put into your recycling bin.

Tin cans, aluminum tins like tuna cans and empty aerosols can also be disposed of through your regular recycling pick up. Paper cardboard boxes, newspapers, junk mail, and magazines too. However items like drinking glasses, oven-proof glass & crockery must go in the general waste bin.

You may not realise but this is a big fat yes to recycling these items in your recycling bin.

• Clean aluminum foil & trays
• Empty margarine containers, yoghurt tubs & hard plastic takeaway food containers
• Juice cartons, tissue boxes, milk cartons & clean pizza boxes

Top tips for Reducing Waste in the Kitchen

Billions of plastic coffee pods make their way to landfills each year, but with little effort, most of them can be grouped in with your normal recycling. Most coffee pods are made of plastic, aluminum, and paper. To recycle them, each component needs to be separated. Peel back the aluminum top of your coffee pod, and separate it into its components before recycling the plastic, aluminum, and paper. The coffee grounds themselves can be composted or thrown away, alternatively, you can switch to reusable coffee pods.

Another way to reduce waste and improve recycling habits at home is to shop more mindfully at the grocery store. Say no to plastic-wrapped products and opt for individual items that you can pack into your own reusable cloth bag or fridge storage bag. After all preventing waste in the first place is always the better option.

Did you know some councils within the region shred organic garden and kitchen waste? This stops it from going into landfills. If you have a green bin collection service, this is used for all garden organics and food scraps. If you don’t have a green bin you can reduce your waste by starting your own composting or worm farm.

Soft plastic bags can be recycled at select Woolworths or Coles stores and should be bundled and collected as these cannot be placed in your regular recycling bin. Keep tissues & serviettes out of the recycling also.

The Bathroom

We spend so much time and effort in the bathroom looking beautiful and clean, but how about keeping our planet beautiful and clean too? The second major part of a home where we can improve recycling is in the bathroom. 

Most plastic container items such as clean shampoo, conditioner bottles, soap or detergent, or plastic cleaning containers (from both the bathroom & laundry) can be placed in your recycle bin.

Considering that the beauty industry in Australia is worth about $3.73 million and is expected to grow, we should take note of the amount of waste the industry is producing. Make-up containers, like plastic bottles, cardboard packaging, glass containers can be cleaned and recycled. Selecting products that are environmentally friendly with packaging that can either be reused or recycled can help make a difference. 

Top tips for Reducing Waste in the Bathroom

The top tip for reducing waste in the bathroom is to shop wisely.

Each year about two billion disposable razors are thrown away. Investing in a razor that can be reused can help change this dramatically. The same goes for your toothbrush. You should be using a bamboo option or electric toothbrush to reduce the amount of unnecessary plastic going into landfills.

Buying a chemical free deodorant that is packaged in a tin container which can be recycled rather than the plastic ones is also a healthier option for you and the environment.

Using bar soaps and shampoos also helps reduce the amount of recycling and waste produced. These items can be purchased online or in various Bulk food stores near you.

Recycling General | Office | Household Goods

Did you know you can drop off your empty laser and inkjet cartridges at participating Australia Post, Officeworks, The Good Guys, and Harvey Norman? Some may give you a discount on the next ink cartridge you purchase too. To locate your nearest drop-off go to Close the Loop. 

Rechargeable and single-use batteries can both be recycled, just not in your bin. Drop-off points are located at most Aldi, Repco Auto, Battery World, or Super Cheap Auto Stores. You can visit The Australian Battery Recycling Initiative for more information.

Pens cannot be placed in the recycle bin. There are also options for purchasing pens for the office that can be recycled. Something to think about when shopping for your office supplies.

If you want to put shredded paper in the recycling bin place it in a paper bag or cardboard box so that it doesn’t get lost or blown away.

Light-blubs should never go into our household recycling bins, they contain substances such as mercury and need to be disposed of mindfully. Here is how to dispose of different types of light bulbs.

When it comes to gardening, standard black plastic garden pots can go in your recycle bin. Simply clean out the dirt and place it in the plastic section.

As for the garage, many things need to be disposed of properly. Empty, dry paint tins can go in the recycle bin. However, most construction materials need to be disposed of carefully. Glass and construction materials, need to go to the tip or you contact your local Council for pick up for more information on how to dispose of these items. Metal items such as gas cylinders, broken aluminum chairs, or even metal coat hangers can’t go in your recycle bin.

Things You Cannot Recycle

When it comes to improving your recycling at home sometimes it can be tricky to know what can or cannot be recycled.

Here is a list of some of the items that you cannot place in your home recycle bin, so it may be a good idea to think of alternate options.

• Coffee cups, as they are lined with plastic
• Shopping receipts
• Wrapping paper or wax-coated paper
• Disposable nappies
• Oils 
• Ceramics
• Medical waste
• Polystyrene foam 
• Bubble wrap
• Cellophane
• Ceramics
• Clothes
• Drinking glasses
• Food waste
• Heat-proof dishes
• Needles 
• Padded envelopes that contain plastic
• Photographs
• Tissues and toilet paper 
• Garden waste

Recycling Resources | How to Know Where to Recycle

When it comes to other old electronics, or outdated media these can be recycled, just not in your regular bin. DVDs, CDs, and VHS tapes in good condition can be donated to a second-hand store. For damaged discs and cassettes, find a techno-trash disposal company in your area.

It is estimated only 3% of mobile phones are being recycled, shocking considering each of us owns one and have them replaced often. There are mobile phone recycling programs where you can drop off your old phones. Mobile Muster is just one place where you can recycle your unwanted phone. With an estimate of 31 million mobile devices active in Australia, this is one area where we can clean up our recycling act. Read more on recycling your mobile phones.

A great source on recycling is to visit your Local Council website and search recycling.

NetWaste is also helpful for various electrical e-Waste items,  Household Problem Wastes, or drumMuster Farm Chemicals.

Recycle your unwanted clothing, shoes, and bags at St Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, or The Smith Family. Fabrics, old sheets, towels, etc can also be used as rags or insulation.

You Quick Guide to Improve Recycling at Home

• Try to avoid plastic wherever you can.
• Compostable or biodegradable products don’t go in your recycling bin.
• Don’t assume that takeaway coffee cups are recyclable, they have a plastic lining. Instead, take your own cup next time.
• Before throwing out anything check to see options on where to dispose of it.
• Return bottles or cans to a Return and Earn for some extra cash.
• Recycle your old clothes, shoes, and bags or swap them with friends.
• Take old books to second-hand stores.

There are always new and exciting ways to improve your recycling at home. It begins with a mindful attitude and commitment to preserving our future environment for the generations to come.