A to Z Recycling list of what can generally be recycled and how.
It is interesting, that when you start looking just how much more waste or other items that can be recycled, due to all of the different recycling programs available, especially now as opposed to ten years ago.
The following is a list of all the recycling items that I know about and the best ways to recycling them. But please understand that these items may not be recycled the same way where you live. Therefore, you may have to double check your local recycling regulations. These items are base on recycling programs in Australia.
A/
Aerosol Cans – Can generally be recycle in recycle bins as long as it contents have been discharged.
Aluminium Foil – Can be recycle in most recycle programs, provided it clean and not covered in food scraps.
Aluminium Cans – Can be recycle in most recycle programs, but cans can be saved and sold for 10 cents in some states in Australia or sold to scrap metal yards. But you would need a large quantity to make this worthwhile.
B/
Batteries – Do not put in general rubbish. Should be disposal of at your local battery store or drop off at the local recycling centre.
Bicycles – If in reasonably condition – donate to local charity store, if not take to your local Waste Management centre.
Books – If in reasonably condition – donate to local charity store, if not should be able to put them in your recycling bin.
Biscuit packets – Place into the recycle bin at your local supermarket.
Brake Fluid – Take to a local waste management centre for disposal.
Bubble wrap – If clean, can go to a soft where they recycle soft plastics. Some supermarket can recycle this. But if it a large amount please take it to a waste management centre.
C/
Car & Motorbikes batteries – Most places where you buy these batteries will recycle your old battery, if not then take it to a waste management centre.
Cardboard – Should go straight in to you recycle bin. But if there is a lot it is better to take it to your local waste management centre.
Cardboard/paper cups – When clean can be put in recycle bin. But separated plastic lid from it. Polystyrene cups have to be put into general rubbish.
Carpets – Large amount should go to your local waste management centre.
Cassette tapes – If possible take to your local waste management centre.
Compact Discs (CDs) – Cannot be recycle with your normal recyclable items, but many waste recycling centre will take them.
Clothes – If in reasonably condition – donate to local charity store. If you happen to live near a H&M (https://about.hm.com/en/media/news/there-are-no-rules-to-fashion-but-one-recycle-your-clothes.html) or a Zara store, they both collect clothes or textiles in any condition which they can recycle or reuse.
Coffee Cups (paper) – Watch out for perceptive bins for recycling these cups, as some coffee sellers are tying to help the environment by providing a way to recycle these cups. But generaly can not be recycle with other recycling items.
Coffee – Nespresso Aluminium Capsules – Nespresso have a recycle program for their coffee capsules, where if you return them to the store, they will recycle them. Or if you have a lot of capsules they have a complimentary recycle program. Or you can recycle them through their Nespresso Australia post satchel. These satchels can to be ordered through the Nespresso website. https://www.nespresso.com/au/en/how-to-recycle-coffee-capsules
Computers – If possible, take to your local waste management centre, where they recycle electronic waste.
Computers Hardware – If possible, take to your local waste management centre, where they recycle electronic waste.
D/
DVDs – If possible take to your local waste management centre.
Dishwasher – see Electrical Appliances
E/
Electrical Appliances – If in good working order they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, then they should be able to recycle them with the other E-Waste at your local waste management centre.
Electronic Components – – If possible, take to your local waste management centre, where they recycle electronic waste.
Exercise Equipment – If in good working order they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, then they should be able to recycle them with the other E-Waste at your local waste management centre.
F/
Fabric – If in reasonably condition – donate to local charity store.
Fire Extinguisher – Take to your local waste management centre, where they will dispose of them correctly.
Floppy Disc – If possible take to your local waste management centre.
Fluorescent tubes – There are a couple of ways to Recycle these. But not in the rubbish bin.
1/ Through the Backlight program at Mitre 10, Banner Hardware or True Value Hardware stores. It does exclude commercial globes/ quantities.
2/ IKEA – They have a recycle bin locate at the main entrance of their stores. Where you can place your used regular light bulbs and your low energy light bulbs, for example compact fluorescent.
3/ DeLights – (At the time of writing this website) offers a 10% discount to customers when they buy a new globe and bring in a compact fluorescent globe for recycling. They do not recycle circling Fluorescent tubes.
Fridges – If in good working order they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, then they should be able to recycle them with the other E-Waste at your local waste management centre.
Fruit & Vegetable scraps –If possible, recycle them by placing them in your compost bin or worm farm, or digging straight into the ground. In living in a apartment then consider using a sinkerator or a small worm farm on your balcony. See article on Composta Garden & Worm Farms all in one.
Furniture – If in good working order they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, then they should be taken to your local waste management centre.
G/
Garden waste – Some council will provide an additional compost bin for this waste. If not, then you could take it to your local recycle centre.
Gas Bottles – These bottles should not be disposed of in your gentle waste or in metal recycling bins, they can be recycled as scrap metal when the bottle is empty. But check with the scrap metal company first. Elgas will accept any old 4 to 9 kg gas bottles for recycling. (Better idea next time you need a gas bottle, get one from the swap and go programs, that way you do not have to worry about getting your gas bottle recycled.)
Glass bottle and jars. (Food and drink containers) – When clean, add to your recycle bin. But some drink container can be collected and sold to drink container for cash programs. Normally refund price is 10 cents/glass bottle.
Glass/Other – Generally just dispose off in your general rubbish.
Glasses/Spectacles – If in good condition they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, dispose of in general waste.
Grey Water – Can to hose onto your Garden but be careful about what detergent you are adding to the water, as not all detergents suitable for gardens and over time may kill off your plants or lawn.
H/
Hair Pet & Human – Place in general rubbish.
Hazardous Waste – These items should not be disposed of in your general rubbish. Check with local waste recycling centre for where and how they can be disposed.
Household cleaners – These items should not be disposed of in your general rubbish. Check with local waste recycling centre for where and how they can be disposed.
I/
Ink cartridges – Can be recycled at Australia Post, Officeworks, The Good Guys and Harvey Norman.
Insect Spray Bottles & Cans – – Just add to recycle bin.
J/
Jars Glass & Plastic – Just add to recycle bin.
Jar Lids – Medal & Plastic – Just add to recycle bin.
Junk Mail – Just add to recycle bin.
K/
Kitty litter – Generally just dispose of in your general rubbish. But if it is Paper or Sawdust, the kitty litter could be added to your compost bin. Check with your council first.
Kitchen scraps – If possible add to compost bin or garden.
L/
Laser Disc – If possible take to your local waste management centre.
Lids bottles & jars – Leave lids on empty clean bottle and jar and place into recycle bin.
Light Bulbs Fluorescent tubes/globes/halogens – Recycle these through the Backlight program at Mitre 10, Banner Hardware or True Value Hardware stores. It does exclude commercial globes/ quantities. Should not be put in general rubbish.
Linen – If in good condition they could be donated to your local charity store or H&M Stores ( https://about.hm.com/en/media/news/there-are-no-rules-to-fashion-but-one-recycle-your-clothes.html) who will take them regardless of what condition they are in. If not, your local animal shelter may have a use for them. But check with them first. They could be useful for cleaning and mechanical work. If cannot do any of these options, then dispose of in general waste.
Lunch Boxes – Generally just dispose of in your general rubbish.
M/
Magazines – Dispose of in your in recycle rubbish.
Medicines Bottles – If empty, dispose of in your in recycle rubbish. If not, return to your participating hospital or chemist for recycling.
Medicines (unwanted or out of date) – Return to your local chemist or pharmacist.
Milk Bottles and cartons – When empty and clean, place into recycle bin.
Mobile Phones – Not in the bin, as there are a lot of places where they can be drop in for recycling. Normally all big phone company will recycle mobile phones or Australian Post and your local waste recycling center.
N/
Needles & Syringes – Be careful not to get scratch. Ring the Needle Clean Up Hotline on 1300131340 and they will provide information on removing discarded needles and syringes from public places. Or return them to your local participating hospital or chemist for recycling. Some council have sharps disposal bins installed in their depot facilities.
Newspaper – Dispose of with your recyclable rubbish.
O/
Office Paper – Dispose of in with your recyclable rubbish.
Oil Cooking – For small amount soak up with paper towel and dispose of in compost bin or general rubbish. But not down the sink. For large amount add to empty container and take to a Waste Management Centre.
Oil Motor – Take to a local waste management centre for disposal.
P/
Paint Tins – If empty can be disposed of in recycle bins. If not empty or cannot get the lid off take to your local waste management centre.
Paper – Dispose of in with your recyclable rubbish.
Paper (Shredded) – Compost bin or dispose of in your general rubbish.
Paper Towel (used) – Compost bin or dispose of in your general rubbish.
Pizza Boxes – If clean part of the box can be put in recycle bin and the soil part of the box can be put in the compost bin or general rubbish.
Plastic Containers & Cups – (for example ice cream, yogurt and butter containers) when clean place into recycle bins.
Plastic Toys – When clean place into recycle bins but battery mush be removed.
Plastic, Soft – for example biscuit wrappers, bread bags, plastic bags, old green bags, lollies or confectionery bags, pasta & rice bags, frozen food & vegie bags, paper goods packaging (for example – toilet paper) and fresh produce bags) place into recycle bins at your local supermarket.
Polystyrene – Most local waste recycle centres can now recycle this item. But check with them first.
Printer Cartridges & Toner – Can be recycled at Australia Post, Officeworks, The Good Guys and Harvey Norman.
Pyrex – If in good condition they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, dispose of in general waste. The reason behind this, is not all glass is created the same, and as such it cannot be recycled.
R/
Rags – H&M Stores (https://about.hm.com/en/media/news/there-are-no-rules-to-fashion-but-one-recycle-your-clothes.html) who will take them regardless of what condition they are in. If not, your local animal shelter may have a use for them. But check with them first. They could be useful for cleaning and mechanical work. If cannot do any of these options, then dispose of in general waste.
Refrigerators – If in good working order they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, then they could be taken to your local waste management centre or scrap metal recycling centres.
Rugs – If in good working order they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, then they could be taken to your local waste management centre
S/
Safety Glasses – If in good condition they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, dispose of in general waste.
Shoes – If in good condition they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, dispose of in general waste.
Soft Drink Cans (Aluminium) – Can be recycle in most recycle programs, but cans can be saved and sold for 10cents in some states in Australia or sold to scrap metal yards. But you would need a large quantity to make this worthwhile.
Smoke Alarms – Dispose of in general waste but no more than 2 at a time. If you want to read more about this go to – http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/environmental_info/waste_management/smoke_detectors
Soft Plastic Waste – for example biscuit warpers, bread bags, plastic bags, old green bags, lollies or confectionary bags, pasta & rice bags, frozen food & vegie bags, paper goods packaging (for example – toilet paper) and fresh produce bags) place into recycle bins at your local supermarket.
Stickers – Dispose of in general waste
Syringes – Be careful not to get scratch. Ring the Needle Clean Up Hotline on 1300131340 and they will provide information on removing discarded needles and syringes from public places. Or return them to your local participating hospital or chemist for recycling. Some council have sharps disposal bins installed in their depot facilities.
Styrofoam – General just place into general rubbish. Can not be recycled at the moment.
T/
Takeaway food containers – foil/plastic & cardboard when empty and clean can place in your recycle bin.
Tea Bags & Tea Leaves – Can be place in your compost bin, or garden.
Telephone Books – Place into recycle bin
Tissues – if you have one, put into compost bin.
Televisions/TV’s – If in good working order they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, then they should be able to recycle them with the other E-Waste at your local waste management centre.
Toothpaste tubes & Brushes – Can be recycle for free through TerraCycle and Colgate. Check out the following website for details:- https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/oral-care-brigade
Tyres – Drop off to local waste and recycle depot. But a lot of business that sell tyres will recycle the old ones when you buy new tyres.
U/
Umbrella – If in good condition they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, dispose of in general waste.
V/
Vacuum Cleaner dust – Place in general waste bin
Vacuum Cleaner – If in good condition they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, dispose of in Electronic waste at your local waste management centre.
Video Tapes – If possible take to your local waste management centre.
Vinyl – Drop of at your local waste management centre.
Vinyl records – Place into general rubbish. But I have seem some people recycle these into other useful items.
W/
Washing basket – If in good condition they could be donated to your local charity store. If not can be added to you recycle bin.
Washing machine – If in good condition they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, dispose of in Electronic waste at your local waste management centre.
Waxed paper – Dispose of in general rubbish.
Whitegoods – – If in good condition they could be donated to your local charity store. If not, dispose of in Electronic waste at your local waste management centre or scrap metal recycler.
Wine Bladder – Place in general rubbish.
Wire – Can be recycle at your local scrap metal centre.
Wood Untreated – Use as fire wood or drop of at your local waste recycling centre.
Wood treated – Drop of at your local waste recycling centre.
X/
X-Rays – There are a couple of opinion for recycling these:-
1/ If a small amount place in a envelope and post to plant Ark. They will recycle them. The address is
Quantum Technical Services
X-Ray Recycling
7/220 Barry Road
Campbellfield VIC 3061
Their phone number is: 1300 247 266
2/ Sometime other groups collect them. For example:- the Scouts
3/ Some waste management centre will take them. But check with them first.
4/ You can always check out some Youtude clips on this, as the silver in them is valuable and they will show you how to get the silver out of them.
Y/
Yoghurt Containers – when empty can be placed into recycle bin.
Z/
Zip lock bags – Clean and reuse them, or place in general rubbish.
Zip Ties – Can be placed in recycled bin.