Recycling at home

Recycling Dos

  • Leave recyclables loose (do not bag)
  • Remove lids on drink bottles and containers
  • Fold boxes to save space
  • No need to crush tins and cans
  • Rinse recyclables for a better end product
  • Do not overfill bins or place large, heavy or hazardous objects in the bin

Hard plastic containers

All plastic bottles and jars can be recycled. Please rinse and remove lids first.

Eligible Containers for Change items can also be cashed in for a 10 cent refund. Click here to find your nearest Containers for Change refund point.

Some recyclable plastic products found in your home are:

  • water bottles
  • soft drink bottles
  • juice bottles
  • milk bottles
  • cordial bottles
  • sauce bottles
  • ice cream containers
  • yogurt containers
  • butter containers
  • plant pots
  • detergent bottles
  • cleaning product bottles
  • vitamin and medicine bottles
  • bathroom products bottles
  • laundry liquid bottles
  • plastic jars

Soft plastics

If you can scrunch it in your hands, then it’s a soft plastic. This includes food packaging, plastic film, bags and bin liners.

Soft plastics can cause contamination and may lead to recyclable materials being sent to landfill.

Currently, Queenslanders don’t have access to soft plastic recycling via supermarket retailers. Please put soft plastics in the general waste bin or avoid them altogether.

In the meantime, try to reduce your plastic usage and consider purchasing products that are not packaged in plastic.

Steel and aluminium

Drink and food cans are normally made of aluminium or steel and both are easily recycled.

Examples of steel items that can be recycled include:

  • food tins
  • pet food tins 
  • baby formula tins

Examples of aluminium items that can be recycled include:

  • aerosol deodorants, hair spray, cooking spray, etc. (empty)
  • insect spray (empty)
  • alfoil (clean tray, foil scrunched into a ball)
  • drink cans 

Eligible Containers for Change items can also be cashed in for a 10 cent refund. Click here to find your nearest Containers for Change refund point.

 

Glass bottles and jars

Glass jars and bottles either clear or coloured are 100% recyclable. Flat, plate or mirror glass however cannot be recycled.

Examples of glass items that can be recycled include:

  • sauce bottles
  • food jars
  • oil and vinegar jars or bottles
  • juice bottles
  • alcohol bottles

Eligible Containers for Change items can also be cashed in for a 10 cent refund. Click here to find your nearest Containers for Change refund point.

Paper and cardboard

Cardboard can be recycled but it should be clean and of a size that fits loosely into a bin. Remember to fold large boxes down.

Examples of paper and cardboard items that can be recycled include:

  • boxes (food, packaging, cereal, etc.)
  • egg cartons
  • glossy magazines, brochures and catalogues
  • wrapping paper (no glitter)
  • paper
  • toilet rolls
  • juice and milk cartons
  • pizza boxes (if the bottom of the pizza box is too greasy, break up the box and recycle the clean sections)

Recycle Mate App

This innovative app uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to detect hundreds of different items, helping you recycle anywhere in Australia.

Simply open the app, take a photo or type the item name and Recycle Mate will provide disposal guidance specific to the Bundaberg Region.

Download the Recycle Mate app today.

Google Play
Apple Store

For more information visit the Recycle Mate website

Recycling Don'ts

The following are examples of what not to put in your recycling bin:

  • car parts
  • soft plastics and plastic bags
  • clothes and textiles
  • eWaste
  • batteries and hazardous waste
  • crockery
  • food or garden waste (perishables)
  • garden hose
  • nappies
  • plastic shopping bags
  • polystyrene
  • Pyrex
  • sharps and needles
  • steel sheet and pipes
  • sheet glass
  • toys
  • Tupperware
  • turps or metho bottles
  • vacuum cleaner bag

Did you know that when these items are placed in your yellow lid bin it may mean your recycling goes to landfill? These contaminants can also damage the sorting machines and create safety problems for workers. Dispose of these items in your general waste bin or take to your nearest waste facility.

Tips for getting it sorted

Keep it clean

Scrape out all food containers and pizza boxes before they go into the yellow lid bin.

If you’re unsure, give it a quick rinse. This helps prevent contamination and ensures that the recycling process runs smoothly.

Make sorting simple

Keep a separate sorting basket for recyclables in your kitchen, laundry and bathroom.

Some items are made up of recyclable and non-recyclable materials, separate soft plastics coverings from food packaging to ensure more items can be recycled.

Keep it loose

Don’t put your recyclables in a bag or bin liner as they may end up in landfill.

Keep your recycling loose when it goes into your yellow lid bin.

Keeping it loose also means recycling can be sorted and processed more easily and efficiently.

Alternative disposal

Many household items like old clothes, toys and batteries are not suitable for recycling through your yellow lid bin, but can be recycled through a range of alternative disposal programs offered by community organisations and retailers. Click here to learn more about these recycling options.

This initiative is proudly supported by the Queensland Government's Let's Get It Sorted program.

Contact waste and recycling

Address: 46 University Drive
Bundaberg QLD 4670

Telephone: 1300 883 699

Email:
wasteandrecycling@bundaberg.qld.gov.au

More information

Waste and recycling A-Z Guide

Waste and recycling handy guide 

Kerbside bins household information

Recycling beyond your kerbside bin

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