Recycling 101
29 May 2019
Australian’s have a fantastic reputation when it comes to recycling. It’s been found that 51% of household waste gets recycled across Australia. This is on par with the with the recycling rates of the many European countries. Not only are we helping to conserve the planet, but also clearing clutter out of our house and lives.
Here are eight common household items that can be recycled!
1. Unused medicines
Do you have unused or unwanted medicines accumulating dust at the back of your medicine cupboard? Bring them out and return them to your local pharmacist for free. The pharmacy is then able to make sure the medicines are disposed of properly and do not end up in landfill where they do not belong. By doing this you are not only helping nature, but you are also avoiding any accidental ingestion in the future.
2. Metal Cans
When disposing of tin cans, make sure to put the metal lid inside the can where possible. Don’t forget to pinch the sides to make sure that the lid stays inside to avoid injury. Place the container in your yellow bin. You can also rinse and dry other metal containers before dropping them into your recycling bin.
3. Shampoo, conditioner and soap containers
Before throwing your shampoo, conditioner and soap bottles into the recycling bin, make sure to empty them of all contents and rinse thoroughly.
4. Batteries
Whether you need to dispose old car batteries or household batteries, there are several drop off locations available. Be mindful of disposing batteries as they are harmful both to your health and to the environment.
4. Wine bottle corks
While beer is Australia’s go to drink, a glass of wine comes in second. However, less than 5% of cork stoppers are being recycled. What’s great about cork is that it is natural and biodegradable. It can be recycled and turned into different types of products e.g., coasters, cork boards and mats. Cork recycling programs are common in Australia so check if there’s one near you. Another option is to use them as garden mulch. You simply grind them up and thrown them into your compost at home.
5. Plastic Cartons
Milk, juice, and even soup cartons are recycled in the processing facility by swirling them in water. This step helps to separate the cardboard from the plastic and the aluminium. What is interesting is that these items can still be recycled even if these are made of various materials bonded together.
6. Books
Books can still be recycled even if they are damaged. It is important to remember to separate the paper from the spines and break them down into smaller pieces to make the recycling process easier.
7. Disposable Coffee Cup Lids
Consider using a reusable cup for your coffee to lessen your environmental footprint. But if it cannot be avoided, you can still recycle your used coffee cup lids. Remove the lid from the cup and wash it before throwing it into the recycle bin. Note that the cup itself cannot be recycled because of its waterproof plastic lining. The cup goes straight to the red waste bin.