Are you putting the right things into the right bins? Figuring out what goes where when you're recycling can often be a tad confusing, but it's important to know so you can help the environment. By recycling properly, you're helping to avoid landfills, prevent pollution and save energy. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia produces around 76 million tonnes of waste every year, with around 27% of that going to landfill, which has a negative impact on the environment.
According to NetWaste, this is what can and can't be recycled:
Recycling:
Paper - office paper, magazines, newspapers and junk mail
Cardboard
Green, clear and brown glass bottles/jars
Juice and milk cartons
All hard plastic bottles and containers marked, but no lids
Steel (tin) and aluminum cans and empty aerosols
General Waste:
Plastic bags/recyclables in plastic bags
Takeaway coffee cups
Disposable nappies
Polystyrene (foam)
Bubble wrap
Syringes or medical waste
Dead animals
Oils
Ceramics, ovenware or light bulbs
If you're unsure of where to put items that don't quite fit into those two categories, there are numerous drop off points for items such as batteries, mobile phones, scrap metal and printer cartridges. Recycling Near You Planet Ark has a handy directory to help you find local places to drop these items off. For garden waste, you can put it into a green lidded bin if you have one, if not you can find places to drop off your waste here. If you're looking to throw out your old clothes, take them to your local charity store or op shop instead and RSPCA is a good option as well if you're throwing away blankets.
You can also recycle certain bottles, cans and cartons at certain drop off points around the country to earn back some money. Have a look at the link here to find out where your closest drop off point is.
If you have any questions or need extra support, we're here to help you anytime in any language. Simply start a chat with us via the home screen of the Sonder app.
Information sourced from: NetWaste, Ecocycle, Planet Ark and Australian Bureau of Statistics
All content is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional.