If you are confused about what you can put in your recycling bin these days, you are not alone. Two-thirds of Victorians say they need help to understand what can go into their recycling bins.
The Recycle Right campaign aims to help increase awareness about what goes in our recycling bins. It is led by Sustainability Victoria and supported by local councils, including Brimbank City Council.
Brimbank Mayor, Cr Georgina Papafotiou said while many things seem out of our control during the COVID-19 pandemic, people can make a difference to our environment by making a commitment to Recycle Right.
‘While we are spending more time at home, many people are probably cooking more, ordering things online and receiving more deliveries than usual. This means you’re also probably ending up with a lot more waste than you normally have,’ Cr Papafotiou said.
‘If you’re also like a lot of people, you might find yourself and members of your household wondering which is the right bin to put everything in? Take the time to get to know your recycling because what you do makes a difference.’
Here are some tips about the most common items that leave many scratching their heads, according to research conducted by Sustainability Victoria.
- Keep your recycling out of plastic bags! Place your recyclables in your recycling bin loose
- Soft plastics, like shopping, bread and pasta bags, may be recycled through programs at many supermarkets, or you can put them in landfill.
- Do the scrunch test – if you can scrunch the plastic in your hand, then it does not go in the recycling bin. Find out where to recycle soft plastics close to home here.
- Small plastic lids, such as milk bottle lids, should be removed and placed into the landfill bin
- Metal lids can be removed and put into the recycling bin
- Polystyrene packaging goes into the landfill bin
- Clothing and shoes do not go in the recycling bin. Try an opportunity shop if they are in good condition, or they go into landfill.
- Food waste goes in your compost bin if you have one, or in the landfill bin
- If you don’t have a compost bin you can get a $50 discount on a new compost bin through Council here!
To brush up on the do’s and don’ts of household recycling, you can search for specific items and find out which bin they belong in by visiting recycling.vic.gov.au
Remember to check Council’s website for the latest information in your area and follow Brimbank City Council on social media for more tips to help you Recycle Right.
