A-Z Waste And Recycling Directory Page

Welcome to our waste and recycling directory page.

Below, we've created a comprehensive list of products and how you can dispose of them. Should you recycle or dispose of this particular item in the rubbish? How about reusing or donating it? Discover all of that through our list below.

Waste And Recycling Directory: A

Make sure to empty contents before recycling as these types of products are flammable. Do not crush the cans. Depending on where you live, you can completely recycle your aerosol cans with their plastic caps and covers off in the commingled recycling bin. Aside from this waste and recycling page, you can check more information by reading our blog on aerosol can recycling.

Aluminium cans are very much recyclable. So, put them in your recycling bin. Just remember to empty, clean and dry it before putting it in your commingled recycling bin.

First, make sure to clean your aluminium foil free of any contaminants such as food. Scrunch them into a ball and (preferably) place them into another aluminium container such as a food can for better recycling results. For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, visit our blog on aluminium foil recycling.

Reuse it next year or even up until exhaustion, as artificial Christmas trees never die. If you do intend to buy a newer one, give it to others – family and friends, mainly. You can also opt to give it away to others via online such as on Facebook or other reputable sites such as Streetbank. Check out our blog on old Christmas tree recycling for more information on both artificial and real Christmas trees.

Take note that you should only let professionals remove and handle asbestos as this is a hazardous materials. So, make sure to stay away from asbestos as much as possible. Aside from our waste and recycling directory page, we also have a blog on asbestos for more useful information. 

Never handle and put hot ash into your bin. Cool them down, then put them in the general waste bin afterwards.

Aside from our waste and recycling directory page, check out our blog titled “How is coal ash recycled?

Put them into your food and green waste bin (organic waste). 

 

An automotive or car battery is considered hazardous waste. However, there are ways to recycle it. Read our blog on car battery recycling to learn more. Contact your local council beforehand to learn where and how you can recycle or dispose of them safely.

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You cannot recycle baby wipes. Place them in your general waste bin. NOTE that aside from our waste and recycling directory, we also have a blog on dealing with baby wipes titled “Are baby wipes recyclable?” Check it out for more information.  

Do not attempt to throw your used balloon into your recycling bin. There are some that are considered as soft plastics (more info on types of plastics here) that you should place in your general waste bin. However, there are also some that are compostable (i.e., latex balloons), so you have to contact your local council first for this kind of balloon.

For more information, check out our blog titled “are balloons recyclable?

Batteries used by households cannot be placed in a recycling bin. However, owners can take them to any available recycling stations or any retail locations such as ALDI and Officeworks. Learn more about how battery recycling work through our blog aside from this waste and recycling directory page.

Are beer bottles recyclable? The answer is yes! You can recycle beer bottles by placing them loosely in your recycling bin. Just make sure to dry and empty them before putting them in the bin. 

Like beer bottles, you can also recycle your beer cans. Place them in your commingled recycling bin, but make sure to keep them dry and clean before doing so. Place them loose in your bin.

Next on our waste and recycling directory page: bicycles.

Do you have a good-conditioned bicycle that you want off your hands? If so, try to offer them first to your closest family or friends. Or, one example could be to opt to donate them to  Bicycles for Humanity by dropping them off at Bicycle Super Store. If your bicycle is broken beyond repair, then you can take out the metal parts and recycle them or call for hard waste services, instead. Contact your local council for more information.

In addition, you can also check out our blog on recycling bicycles for more information. 

Biscuit trays are either considered as soft or rigid plastics. Different areas have different classifications. Remember that soft plastics are recyclable whilst the rigid ones are not. Each area varies.

REDcycle, when available, can accept soft plastics. You also have the option to send them to Curby as they also have a program dedicated to recycling soft plastics.

Depending on where you live, they may or may not be recyclable. 

So, you should make sure to communicate with your local council to learn more. Need more info? Then, read our blog titled “Can you recycle biscuit trays?

 

The best option to deal with unwanted blankets is to give or donate them to others (i.e., through organisations such as SCR Recycling Hubs etc.). For blankets in poor condition, you could also donate them to the RSPCA, wherein they will transform them into animal bedding (except for the feather-filled ones). Aside from our waste and recycling directory page, learn more by reading our blog on fabric scrap recycling for more information and options. 

Never recycle bleach as it is a hazardous household chemical. Contact your local council to learn how to deal with bleach safely. Check out our blog on how to (or not to) recycle bleach bottles.

Bones and/or shells, either cooked or uncooked, can usually by recycled into your food and green waste bin. However, contact your local council first as some places don’t accept them.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory, take a look at our blog on bone and/or shell recycling.

While books cannot be thrown in your recycling bin, you can still donate or pass them on to others if you want them off your hands. If no other options exist, then throw them in your general bin. 

For more information aside from this waste and recycling directory page about book disposal and recycling, check out our blog about it. 

Any kinds of bottles – glass, plastic or metal – can be placed in you recycling bin. Make sure no air is in your plastic bottles and return their lids.

Place them back to their original containers. In turn, put the bottles in your recycling bin. You can also recycle bottle tops alone; read more through our blog on bottle cap recycling

Can you recycle broken glass? The answer is no! Do not recycle them – any kind of broken glass cannot be recycled. Carefully place them in a bag and place them in your general waste bin.

For more information on what to do should you accidentally break glass, read our blog on broken glass recycling

Can you recycle bubble wrap? The answer: it depends on your location. Contact your local council first to learn more. Or, you could send them to REDcycle locations and drop them off there. 

Do not place any building materials in household bins. Contact your local council first to learn how to dispose of them. You should do so even before beginning a building project. 

Aside from this recycling and waste directory page, learn more about this through our blog on construction recycling and waste management.

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Depending on where you live, you may be able to recycle your camera films. If not, then it might be best to dispose of them by incineration with energy recovery. Contact your local council first.

For more information aside from this waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog on recycling photos.

Can you recycle candles or candle waxes?

The answer is no. As they cannot be recycled, they should instead be placed in your general waste bin. You could reuse them, too. Check out our blog titled “Recycle Candle Wax” for more information.

You can recycle steel and aluminium cans. Just place them in your recycling bin. 

For car seats, the best option is to give it to others or donate it to charity. You can also contact your local council for hard rubbish services if you really want your old car seat out of your hands.

Check out our blog on car seat recycling for more information. 

You cannot recycle carbon fibre. Place them in your general waste bin. Check out our blog on carbon fibre recycling methods for more information aside from our waste and recycling directory.

You can recycle all cardboard (except the waxed, wet or soiled ones) by placing them in your recycling bin. Flatten them first. Additionally, do not shred them. Sorting machinery in recycling facilities cannot detect shredded cardboard. Instead, donate shredded cardboard to pet shops so that they can be used as animals beddings. You can also opt to use them as mulch or compost

Carpets, although made from recyclable items, cannot be placed in your recycling bin. Try reusing it or enquire about take-back schemes.

Carpets can also be considered as hard waste. Contact your local council for more information about hard waste bookings. 

If all else fails, put it in your rubbish bin. For more information, take a look at our blog on carpet recycling.

Place Tetra Pak cartons in your general waste bin. Or, if you really want to deal with this type of waste which is considered a hard to recycle product, as a business, you can avail of TerraCycle’s Laminated Paper Packaging – Zero Waste Box

You can recycle old CDs and DVDs. Check with your local council. Aside from this waste and recycling directory page, discover more about CD and DVD recycling by reading our blog about it. Officeworks is also a good option to recycle your CDs and DVDs. 

Cigarette and cigarette butts cannot be placed in your recycling bin. Put them in your general waste bin. Or, you could also opt to get the Zero Waste box by TerraCycle dedicated to collect and recycle cigarette butts. 

Because of its shape, recycling coat hangers is usually impossible. The best you can do is to give the good-conditioned ones to others such as your local dry cleaners or just dispose of them in your general waste bin. 

Aside from our waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog tackling the recyclability of metal hangers

You cannot put clothing and textile in your commingled recycling bin. However, there are other ways to get them off your hands, the most notable way is providing them to known clothing retailers such as  H&M, Zara and Upparel (formerly Manrags).

Check out our blog on clothing and textile recycling for more information aside from this waste and recycling directory page.a

Certain locations allow their residents to recycle coffee cups. Check with your local council to learn more. Otherwise, throw them in your general waste bin. 

You can recycle your used coffee grounds as compost in specific locations. Contact your local council to learn more.

Related topic: using coffee waste as energy fuel

Check the coffee pods or capsules to see if you can recycle your them. Otherwise, do not place them in your commingled recycling bins. Instead, just put them in your general waste bin. 

Are condoms recyclable?

No, they are not. Place them in your general waste bin. 

Depending on where you live, you might have the opportunity to recycle cork as a compost material. Check with your local council to learn more. 

Corflutes, or signages, are almost impossible to recycle because of the PVC sticker and other items attached such as eyelets and stakes.

We would suggest that you use alternatives such as Oppboga or Katz boards to advertise instead of using corflutes. 

Broken metal cutlery may be accepted in some areas. Just make sure to place them inside containers of similar composition before disposing of them in your commingled recycling bins. Those in good condition, however, are better being sold, donated or repurposed.

As for plastic cutlery, you cannot recycle them. Throw them in your general waste bin.

For more information aside from this waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog discussing whether or not you can recycle cutlery.

Waste And Recycling Directory: D

Before recycling, remove dairy products’ packaging first. After that, you can place the contents in your food and green waste bin (i.e., organic waste bin).

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory, check out our blog to learn how to recycle or compost dairy products

Deodorants or roll-ons are made of rigid plastics, which can be recycled in your commingled recycling bin. Make sure to empty and remove the lid before placing it in a loose way in the bin.

Check our blog on recycling facts, as we’ve mentioned recycling deodorants and other products there. You can also check out our blog titled “Is it possible to recycle deodorant containers” for more info. 

Next on our waste and recycling directory page, we have detergent bottles. 

Like deodorants, detergent bottles are also made from rigid plastic containers and can be recycled in the commingled bin. Empty the bottles and separate the lid from the bottle before placing it into the bin.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory, take a look at our blog titled “Can I recycle detergent bottles?

The typical thing to do to used disposable gloves is to place them into your general waste bin.

If you are a business and can afford extra, then you can recycle them through TerraCycle’s Zero Waste box. For more information aside from this waste and recycling directory page, check out our blog on disposable plastic and latex gloves recycling.

 

Cut the ear loops after using disposable surgical masks and before recycling them. Place them in a separate bag before disposing of them in your general waste bin. When they touch other recyclables like cardboard and paper, you should send those into the general waste bin as well.

Check our blog mask recycling

Empty dog food tin cans before placing them into your recycling bin, but you do not need to rinse these containers anymore. 

You cannot recycle disposable nappies. Place them in the general waste bin. 

Check out our nappy disposal bin services.

E

Yes, you can completely recycle your egg cartons in your commingled recycling bin. Just make sure to clean, dry and remove any food remnants and stains from them before placing them in the bin.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, check out our blog on egg cartons recycling

Dealing with egg shells is simple. You just have to put them in your organic waste bin (i.e., food and green waste bin).

Learn more by reading our blog on egg shells recycling/composting.

Yes, you can recycle your envelopes – regardless whether your envelopes have windows or not. Just make sure that they are dry, unsoiled, cleaned and placed loose in the bin.

Can you recycle e-waste?

The answer: it depends on what e-waste you have. Some are easier to recycle whilst others are not. Generally, you can take them to different recycling stations in your area. Contact your local council first.

You can read our blog titled “What is e-waste?” for more information aside from this waste and recycling directory page.

Do you have any spectacles you want to dispose of? Then, you should aim to donate or give them to others. You can contact your local council to learn more.

Learn where to recycle eyeglasses by reading our linked blog. 

F

They are considered as hazardous chemicals. Therefore, do not place them in your commingled bin. Contact your local council to learn how you can handle them safely.

For more useful information aside from our waste and recycling directory, check out our blog on where you can dispose of your fertiliser for free

Fire extinguishers, empty or full, are dangerous to handle by yourself as they are classified as hazardous chemicals. We suggest that you contact your local or nearest fire station for safe handling.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory, take a look at our blog titled “How to dispose of fire extinguisher“.

Depending on where you live, you can recycle real flowers as compost. Check with your local council.

As for plastic flowers, they are not recyclable and should be thrown in the general waste. However, in our flower waste management, we mentioned people upcycling flowers and turning them into a fashion statement. Read to learn more – who knows, you might have a hidden talent and passion in designing!

You can take them to Officeworks for recycling. Otherwise, you should contact your local council on how to deal with them as you cannot put them in your recycling bin.

Try to contact the store where you bought the fridge and ask if they have a takeback recycling or disposal program. 

Or, you could also go the normal route and contact your local council on how to deal with your unwanted fridge. 

For more information aside from this waste and recycling directory page, read our blog on fridge recycling

Do not place your furniture in your commingled recycling bin. Contact your local council and ask for bulk collection arrangements.

Take a look at our blog to learn more on how you can dispose of furniture.

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You cannot place your gardening hand tools in your commingled recycling bin. These items include shears and hoses.

The same is true for powered gardening tools (e.g., lawn mower), although you can also go ahead and dispose of them in your local recycling centre/facility.

Contact your local council first to learn how you can dispose of them without putting yourself in harm’s way.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory, please check our blog titled “Where to recycle gardening tools“.

Place them in your recycling bin. Just make sure to attach the lid. Learn more by reading our blog on glass recycling.

For glassware in good condition, it is best to give them away or donate them to others. Contact your local council to learn more.

As for broken ones, place them in your general waste bin. Cover them in a bag and label them. 

Learn more by reading our blog on Pyrex glass recycling

You can put your glossy magazine waste in your commingled recycling bin. Place them loose into the bin. However, if glossy magazines are made from plastic materials that make them more durable than normal, then you should just throw them into the general waste bin. Aside from our waste and recycling directory page, you can learn more about magazine with staples recycling. 

Grass clippings are considered as green waste, therefore needing to be placed in your organic waste bin. You can also leave them be so they become nutrients to the soil. 

To learn more, read our blog on grass clippings recycling

What should you do with your greeting cards?

Answer: you can recycle them in your commingled recycling bin, provided that you haven’t reused or repurposed them yet. 

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog about greeting cards recycling in Australia.

Waste And Recycling Directory: H

Depending on where you live, your area will either recycle human and animal organic hair as compost whilst others may not have that type of recycling program and will, instead, instruct you to throw them in your general waste bin. Enquire with your local council beforehand.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog titled “Is Hair Recyclable?

Have you got any old hats that you do not use anymore?

The best thing to with them if they are in good condition is to give them to others or donate them.

For hard hats, you can send acquire a Safety Equipment Protective Gear Recycling Zero Waste Box from TerraCycle so you can safely recycle them.

For more information , take a look at our blog tited “Can you recycle hats?

Can hard drives be recycled? 

Considered as e-waste, you should enquire at Officeworks, and they will recycle them for you. E-waste are not recyclable through your commingled recycling bin.

Working or not, if you have ear aids you want off your hands, then you can donate them to Recycled Sound for repair and reuse. 

Never recycle herbicides as these contain chemicals that may compromise human and animal health. Contact your local council first to learn how you can handle this type of waste safely.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory, check out our blog on herbicide disposal.

The possibility to recycle hot water bottles all depends on your area. Some accept them whilst others do not. Contact your local council to learn more. If unavailable, then you should place them in your general waste bin.

For more information, check out our blog to learn more about how to recycle hot water bottles

In general, you should not place your household chemicals in any bins, both recycling and general waste. Instead, ask your local council to discover how to dispose of them safely. 

To include in our waste and recycling directory page: it is important to be safe when handling all kinds of waste. Read our health and safety waste management blog to learn more. 

I

You can recycle your ice cream containers made of plastic. Put them in your commingled recycling bin. Attach the lid when recycling them.

As for cardboard ones, enquire first with your local council as they usually have a thin layer of plastic, therefore making them hard to recycle. 

Incandescent light bulbs contain hazardous materials, so you cannot recycle them in your commingled recycling bin. Ask your local council if it has a recycling program or station dedicated to recycling hard-to-recycle items.

If your incandescent light bulbs are broken, then you should first clean the place where the light bulb broke carefully. Open the area, then carefully wrap the pieces in old newspaper. Afterwards, place them in the general waste bin.

 

Usually, insecticide bottles are unrecyclable and cannot even be put in your general waste bin as they are classified as hazardous household waste. However, some areas do accept them if they are empty. Enquire with your local council to find out what to do with them.

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Clean, dry and empty glass jars are usually can be recycled in most locations. However, some may may require you to place them in different bins. Check with your local council first. Read our blog on glass recycling for more information aside from this waste and recycling directory page.

This might sound weird, but some have asked if they could recycle jewellery.

If you are willing to spend some money, then you can go ahead and recycle it by customising an older piece to create a new piece with the help of a designer. 

The other best thing you could do with your jewellery is to either sell them, give them to your friends or loved ones or even donate them. 

Have lots of junk mail just cluttered around?

If so, then you can place them in your commingled recycling bin. Make sure they are loose in the bin and dry.

For more information, check out our blog on how to recycle junk mail.

K

Can keys be recycled in Australia?

Yes. However, you cannot throw them in your commingled recycling bin. Contact your local council on how you can deal with this item. Some areas such as Bayside have Waste and Recycling Centres where they can recycle scrap metal. 

Some areas may accept kitty litter and utilise it as compost material. Contact your local council to learn more.

You can recycle your knitting needles in your commingled recycling bin. However, broken ones or others made of other materials should be placed in your general waste bin instead.

Can knives be recycled? 

They may or may not be placed in household recycling bins, depending on where you live. You can, however, take them to your local recycling facility that accepts metal.

In addition, if they are in good condition, then it is best to give them away or sell to others. As for the broken ones, wrap them in packaging carefully, then place them in the general waste bin.

Waste And Recycling Directory: L

You cannot put laminated paper in your recycling bin. Dispose of them in your general waste bin, instead.

For businesses, TerraCycle has the Laminated Paper Packaging Zero Waste Box if they’d prefer. 

What should you do if you want to get your current lawn mower off your hands?

You can sell it online or donate it to those who really need it. Otherwise, you can contact your local council and enquire from them drop-off points for your lawn mower. 

LED light bulbs should be taken to a recycling station near you dedicated on recycling these types of items. Officeworks is also a good option to recycle your LED light bulbs.

Next on our waste and recycling directory list: lids.

If you specifically want to dispose of your lids, then you should remove them from containers, jars and cartons. Determine and sort the lids by type, then place them in a corresponding container before you dispose of them.

Lunch boxes made of plastic can be recycled in your recycling bin.

As for metal lunch boxes that are entirely made of metal, you can contact your local council and enquire of any recycling facility that accepts this type of item as part of their scrap metal recycling.

If it is made of different materials, then it is best to place in your general waste bin.

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Makeup containers or beauty product containers can be recycled through TerraCycle. Additionally, there is a program called Sustainable Salons wherein it was designed for the salon environment that rewards salons and gives back to the community.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, head on to our blog about beauty product container recycling

 

Those interested can register and do their part to reduce their environmental impact

You cannot put makeup wipes (including the biodegradable ones) into your recycling bin. Place them in your general waste bin.

You cannot put your magnets in the recycling bin. Instead, place them in your general waste bin. 

Mattresses and mattress toppers cannot be put in your commingled recycling bin. Instead, try to contact your local council and enquire about hard waste collection services. Check out our blog on mattress recycling for more information. 

For medical/clinical waste such as sharps, you can place them in your medical/clinical waste bin

Definition of medical/clinical waste:

Clinical waste means any waste resulting from medical, nursing, dental, pharmaceutical, skin penetration or other related clinical activity, being waste that has the potential to cause injury, infection or offence, and includes waste containing any of the following:

  • human tissue (other than hair, teeth and nails), bulk body fluids or blood
  • visibly blood-stained body fluids, materials or equipment, laboratory specimens or cultures
  • animal tissue, carcasses or other waste from animals used for medical research

Place empty medicine bottles (either glass or hard plastic) with lids attached in your recycling bin.

For more information, check out our blog titled “Can you recycle old medicine bottles?

As medicine jars are usually made from rigid plastics, you can go ahead and place them in your commingled recycling bin.

Metal jar lids used for glass containers can be recycled either through household commingled recycling or scrap metal recycling. Make sure to remove it from the container first and remove any food residue.

Metal ring lids and pull tabs used for food tin cans and drinks, on the other hand, can also be placed in your commingled recycling bin. But first, make sure to give them a good rinse to remove any food or drink stains. After that, place them either into the container they came in or in a similar metal container.

Tread carefully as you might cut yourself while handling this type of recyclable waste.

Are mirrors recyclable?

Mirrors in good condition can be donated or re-sold to others. However, a broken mirror should be packaged carefully and placed in the general waste bin.

Mobile phones and chargers are considered as e-waste. Should you want to deal with them, contact your local council and enquire where you can drop them off.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, check out our blog on mobile phone recycling.

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You cannot dispose of your nail clippers in your commingled recycling bin because of their small sizes. However, you can still clean and sanitise metal clippers and donate or dispose of them afterwards. Donate them at shelters – call them first before donating. Additionally, you can also drop off used clippers at metal recycling or your local tips.

Unused nail polish is considered as a hazardous chemical. It will harm the environment if you do not properly dispose of them. Check with your local council to learn how to deal with nail polish or any other hazardous chemicals.

You can place nappies in your general waste bin. Or, you could also place them in a dedicated nappy waste bin.

Aside from this waste and recycling directory page, find out more about this through our nappy waste collection blog. 

You can put your dry and unsoiled newspaper in your recycling bin. However, if you have soiled ones, then you should put them in your general waste bin, instead.

Waste And Recycling Directory: O

You can recycle your office or computer papers by recycling them in your commingled recycling bin. You don’t even have to remove the staples.

For more information, check out our blog on office paper recycling.

Oily rags mainly used for cleaning oily parts such as vehicles or different types of appliances should be put in your general waste bin. It may cause a fire hazard if handled wrong. If you want to find out drop off locations, then contact your local council.

For more information aside from Waster’s waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog on oily rag safe disposal.

Taken from our blog titled “cooking oil recycling

There are a number of companies in Australia that provide services for the collection of used cooking oil. Probably the leading company in the market is Auscol. You can take a look at their website here.

Depending on the volume of oil you produce, they can offer collection services – often free of charge. The company you select will deliver a container – appropriate for the size of your business – and will swap it over on a regular basis.

In addition, you can also soak small amounts into a paper towel being placed straight into organic waste bin.

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Sanitary pads are not recyclable, therefore you should not put them in the recycling bin. Instead, place them in your general waste bin. Or, if you have a sanitary waste bin, you could place it there. 

 

You cannot dispose of leftover paint and empty paint containers in both your general waste or commingled recycling bins. You have the option of recycling through Paintback or enquiring your local council to learn how to dispose of them. In addition, you also have the option of acquiring a TerraCycle Zero Waste box to recycle them. 

How do you dispose of paint thinner/stripper?

Both paint strippers and thinners are considered as household hazardous waste. Contact your local council to learn more about how you can drop off your hazardous household waste.

You could find companies that can buy wood pallets from you to earn a quick buck and make a difference to the environment. You could also take them to a recycling centre near your area. Just contact your local council and enquire.

Timber pallet, in particular, can be recycled through a dedicated timber pallet recycling skip collection. This is especially good for businesses that produce lots of timber pallets.

For more information aside from this waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog on timber pallet recycling

Can you recycle paper bags? The answer to that is yes.

You can recycle your paper bags by placing them in your recycling bin. Just make sure that they are clean, dry and unsoiled. 

Can you recycle paper plates?

You can place your paper plates in the recycling bin, provided that they are not soiled with food waste and grease. As for coated paper plates, they should go to your general waste bin.

If the paper towels, napkins and tissues are already soiled, then you cannot recycle them. However, some areas accept these type of waste as compost materials. Contact your local council to learn more.

You can put your paper towel rolls in your recycling bin.

You cannot place your pens, colour pencils or other writing materials in your commingled bins because of their small size. The sorting machinery cannot pick them up. If they are still in good condition, you can give or donate them to others.

TerraCycle also has multiple options for you: a Pens, Pencils and Markers Zero Waste Box or a Office Supplies Zero Waste Box.

But if they are broken, place them in your  general waste bin.

 

You cannot put your petrol and other flammable liquids in your commingled recycling or general waste bin as this might start a fire. Contact your local council to learn how to safely dispose of them.

You cannot recycle old pillows. Just place them in your general waste bin or upcycle them.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory, read our blog on quilts and pillows recycling.

Pizza boxes are generally recyclable, provided that they are unsoiled with grease. Put them in your recycling bin. As for the soiled ones, throw them in your general waste bin. 

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog titled “Are pizza boxes recyclable?

Do not recycle plastic gloves. Place them in your general waste bin.

Plastic water bottles or something similar should first be empty and clean before placing it in your recycling bin. Additionally, they should have their caps off. Make sure to recycle them the correct way!

Are printers recyclable? 

Unusable and broken printers are considered as e-waste. To give an example, Officeworks is a good solution if you want to recycle them. Yo could also contact your local council to learn where you could drop them off.

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Quilts and/or blankets should be given or donated to others. Contact your local council to learn programs or organisations that accepts these items. Otherwise, you can place them in your general waste bin.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory, read our blog on quilts and pillows recycling.

Waste And Recycling Directory: R

Rat poison is a hazardous chemical material that should not be placed in your recycling and general waste bins. You should contact your local council and enquire how you can safely dispose of rat poison.

For more details, read our blog on how to dispose of rat poison the proper way. 

You cannot recycle your razor blades, detachable blade head or not, and put them in your recycling bin. Contact your local council and enquire about a dedicated razor recycling service.

Various programs from famous brands such as Gillette has spearheaded programs to divert disposable razors and razor blades from landfills.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, you can check out our blog titled “Are razor heads recyclable?

You cannot put place your receipts in your recycling bin. Place them in your general waste bin, instead.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog titled “Can you recycle receipts in Australia?

You cannot put your rubber bands in your recycling bin. Place them in your general waste bin.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog on rubber bands recycling.

You cannot recycle rubber gloves. Place them in your general waste bin.

Rugs and carpets cannot be put in the recycling bin. You might have various local charities in your areas that you can contact. They may accept your rugs and carpets.

Additionally, those made of wool can be accepted, but you should enquire with the manufacturer first. Otherwise, place them in your general waste bin. Large ones require hard waste collection.

For more information, take a look at our blog on carpet recycling

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You cannot put sand or soil in your commingled recycling bin. You can, however, put sand in compost.

Contact your local council to learn more about how you can dispose of sand or soil.

Do not put your sanitary pads and tampons in the recycling bin. Additionally (and more importantly), never flush them down the drain. Instead, place them in your general waste bin. 

Shampoo and conditioner bottles are usually made from rigid plastic, so you can put them in your commingled recycling bin. Just make sure to empty, rinse and dry them before putting them in the bin. 

You cannot place your shoes, trainers, sandals, flip-flops or any kind of footwear in your commingled recycling bin. If they are in good condition, then try to locate local charities or organisations that can accept your footwear. An example of  an org that accepts footwear is Boots For All, as well selling new to near-new sporting footwear, clothing and equipment.

Famous sports brands such as Nike also programs dedicated to recycle or reuse shoes.

For more information on this aside from this waste and recycling directory, take a look at our blog on shoe recycling

 

You cannot put your shredded paper waste in your commingled recycling bin. That is because they are too small and would not be processed by sorting machines. Some location might accept shredded paper as compost.

However, there are dedicated shredded paper (i.e., confidential paper destruction) collection services (such as ours) that you can avail of if needed. 

Snap-lock bags, or freezer bags, can be recycled through REDcycle’s national recycling program, which you can participate in by going into certain stores that houses drop off points.

You also have the option to send them to Curby as they also have a program dedicated to recycling soft plastics.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog on freezer bag recycling.  

Spiral notebooks can be recycled. Contact your local council first and ask whether or not you can send them without doing anything or should dismantle them first.

Make sure to remove any unnecessary parts you see before recycling spiral notebooks such as plastic covers, pins, staples and stickers.

T

Place your empty plastic container in the recycling bin. You do not need to rinse it.

As for polystyrene takeaway containers, you should place them in your general waste bin as you cannot recycle them.

Tea bags can be recycled in select location. However, other places will not recycle them but will accept them as compost material. 

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog on tea bag recycling

Televisions or TVs are considered as e-waste. Under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, households and small businesses can recycle their television for free. You could also book a hard waste service to dispose of your TV. Contact your local council to learn more.

Take a look at our blog on television recycling to learn more.

There are two reasons why you cannot recycle toothbrushes.

  1. They are too small to be detected and processed by sorting machines.
  2. Toothbrushes are made of mixed materials.

Check with your local council to learn more. Or, you could avail of TerraCycle’s Oral Care Waste And Packaging Recycling Zero Waste Box. 

Only select locations under certain conditions accept toothpaste tubes for recycling. Like toothbrushes, the TerraCycle Zero Waste Box for oral care products also accept toothpaste tubes.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, check out our blog on toothpaste tube recycling.

Only specialised facilities accept tyres for recycling. Contact your local council to discover where you can drop off your old tyres. 

For more information, take a look at our blog on tyre recycling.

U

Are umbrellas recyclable?

Answer: You cannot put your umbrellas in the recycling bin. However, you may drop them off at your nearest recycling centre, but you have to enquire with your local council first. Or, you could look to give or donate them to others. Otherwise, put them in the general waste bin.

You cannot recycle USB sticks or flash drives (e-waste) in the commingled recycling bin. Drop them off at Officeworks or TechCollect collection points. You can also contact your local council for more information. 

Read our blog on USB recycling for additional information. 

Waste And Recycling Directory: V

Dust gathered from vacuum cleaner cannot be recycled. Put them in a bag and place them in your general waste bin. Depending on where you live, though, they may be composted. 

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory, check out our blog titled “Can You Compost Or Recycle Vacuum Dust?

Single-component varnishes cannot be placed in the commingled recycling bin. However, some programs exist that accept items such as varnishes. This includes Paintback. Contact your local councils to learn where you can drop off your varnishes.

To learn more, read our blog and discover how you can dispose of varnish.

You cannot throw VHS or cassette tapes into the recycling bin. However, there are a number of e-waste recyclers that can accept these types of waste. Take a look at Planet Ark’s Business Recycling page to find a recycler. 

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory, take a look at our blog on VHS tape recycling

W

You can place these in your recycling bin. 

Any kind of wipes, whether biodegradable or not, should be sent in your general waste bin.

You can place them in your commingled recycling bin. Just make sure to empty and remove the lids before recycling.

Wrapping papers can go into your recycling bin, provided that they are made from foil or plastic. Small bits of wrapping paper cannot be recycled and should instead be disposed of in your general waste bin.

X

You cannot put your X-rays into your commingled recycling bin. Check out Recycling Near You, a site hosted by Planet Ark, provides you with many options for your recyclables. In this case, there are two options provided by Recycling Near You that you can choose from in Australia, namely Siltech and Ecocycle.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog on X-ray recycling

Waste And Recycling Directory: Y

Yakult bottles, made of rigid plastic, can be recycled in your commingled recycling. Additionally, it can also be recycled through a container deposit scheme. Empty, rinse and dry them before recycling. Remove the 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.

Contact your local council to learn more.

Yoga mats cannot be recycled. You have to check with your local council and ask for any programs that accept yoga mats. Otherwise, just put them in your general waste bin.

For more information, check out our blog called “Can you recycle yoga mats?

Dry, clean and empty them before placing in your commingled recycling bin. Place them loose in the bin.

Take note that some areas may not accept them, so contact your local council first for more information.

Read our blog on yoghurt container recycling for a more detailed read.

Z

Zip-lock bags can be recycled through REDcycle’s national recycling program, which you can participate in by going into certain stores that houses drop off points.

You also have the option to send them to Curby as they also have a program dedicated to recycling soft plastics.

For more information aside from our waste and recycling directory page, take a look at our blog on freezer bag recycling.  

A single zip tie cannot be recycled by itself as it is too small. Collect zip ties and put them in a single plastic container before placing them in the recycling bin.

Put zips in your general waste bin if you cannot repurpose or donate them. 

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