5 common recycling mistakes

We all understand the need for recycling, and want to do the right thing by our community and planet. But sometimes it can be confusing. Should we be leaving the lids on bottles? Can we put milk cartons in the yellow bin?

This year for National Recycling Week (11-17 November 20190, the team at Planet Ark quizzed Australians to see what the biggest blunders are that Aussies make when it comes to recycling. Are you making any of these mistakes?

1. Placing recycling inside a plastic bag

One in three people incorrectly believe plastic bags can be recycled at home and many of us are using them to bundle up our recyclables. Firstly, plastic bags and soft plastics (the kind that can be scrunched into a ball) cannot be recycled through kerbside recycling. But they can be dropped off at REDcycle drop-off points at all Woolworths and Coles stores. Secondly, if recyclables are inside a bag (even if it’s paper), all items will be sent to landfill. Remember: put it in loose so it can be of use.

2. Throwing away beverage cartons

One in five Aussies don’t know if their long-life beverage cartons are accepted in their council recycling bin. The reality is, 97 per cent of Australians live in areas where non-foil lined beverage cartons are accepted in their kerbside recycling and 76 per cent live in areas where foil-lined long-life cartons are accepted.

3. Putting old/broken drinking glasses in the recycling bin

Aussies are great recyclers when it comes to glass bottles and jars, and maybe that’s why more than half us believe other types of glass can be recycled. Unfortunately, drinking glasses, plate glass (window panes) and oven-proof glass cannot be recycled because the glass has been toughened and requires a higher temperature to melt than normal glass bottles and jars.

4. Putting single-use cutlery in the recycling bin

Half of us incorrectly think it’s okay to recycle single-use cutlery, including plastic, wood and bamboo cutlery and chopsticks. It actually doesn’t matter which material the cutlery is made from; no type of single-use cutlery can be recycled via kerbside recycling. Unfortunately, you have to put them in the bin, or better yet, avoid them completely! Next time you order take away, ask your server to leave the cutlery out. You could also keep a spare set at work or BYO in your bag.

5. Thinking ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’ plastic items can be put in the recycling bin

Two in three Aussies think biodegradable and compostable plastic items can be put in the recycling bin. A further 12 per cent are unsure, meaning only 25 per cent of us are getting it right. Biodegradable and compostable plastics are not suitable for recycling in council recycling systems as they contaminate the plastics recycling process.