Recycle Right

Recycling at home might seem small, but it makes a big difference! Every bottle, jar, or piece of cardboard we sort, helps protect the planet, save valuable resources, and build a cleaner future.

Change starts in our own homes—one item at a time.

    • Keep it loose, don't bag recycling
    • Lids off and empty
    • Squash containers and break down cardboard
    • No batteries or other hazardous materials like paint or gas bottles
       

  • Plastics

    • Bagged recycling or bagged waste
    • Soft plastics including bags and scrunchy food packets
    • Plastic toys
    • Packing foam
    • Plastic storage containers
    • Garden hoses
    • Laundry baskets
    • Plastic plant pots


    Paper and Cardboard

    • Biodegradable or compostable plates, cups & cutlery
    • Tissues and paper towels
    • Coffee cups
    • Nappies
    • Shredded paper
    • Tetra packs


    Glass

    • Ceramics or cookware
    • Drinking glasses
    • Window or mirror glass
    • Eye glasses
    • Light globes

    Steel & Aluminium

    • Batteries
    • Scrap metal
    • Paint tins
    • Car parts
    • Sharps and needles
    • Cooking pots and saucepans
    • Metal window frames

  • •    If you can scrunch it in your hand, it's soft plastic. Soft plastics include:
    •    Plastic bags
    •    Bin liners
    •    Cling film and zip lock bags
    •    Chip & lolly packets
    •    Rice and pasta bags
    •    Fresh and frozen bags
    •    Cereal box liners
    •    Biscuits and snack wrappers
    •    Plastic pet food bags
    •    Mail sachets
    •    Bubble Wrap
    •    Protective film used in consumer goods
    •    Soft plastics are not recyclable in your yellow lidded bin.
    •    The previous option for soft plastics recycling at major retailers is currently not available.
    •    Please place your soft plastics in the general waste bin or avoid them by purchasing products not packaged in plastic.
     

  • •    Look for the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) to understand how to dispose of each part of a package.

    recycling

  • •    Soft drink or cordial bottles
    •    Single use water bottles
    •    Juice bottles
    •    Milk bottles
    •    Sauce bottles
    •    Ice cream containers
    •    Yogurt containers
    •    Butter containers
    •    Detergent bottles
    •    Cleaning product bottles
    •    Vitamin and medicine bottles
    •    Personal care bottles
    •    Laundry liquid bottles
    •    Laundry soaker or softener bottles
    •    Plastic jars e.g. peanut butter plastic jar
    •    Biscuit trays
    •    Punnets
    •    Meat Trays
    •    Takeaway containers
     

  • •    Cardboard can be recycled. Please keep it loose and break it down into smaller pieces.
    •    Cardboard packaging from online purchases
    •    Cereal boxes
    •    Egg cartons
    •    Pizza Boxes
    •    Toilet and paper towel rolls, tissue boxes
    •    Newspaper, magazines, brochures, catalogues
    •    Wrapping paper and greeting cards (no foil or glitter)
    •    Office paper and envelopes
     

  • •    Glass jars and bottles are 100% recyclable.
    •    Eligible Containers for Change items can also be cashed in for a 10 cent refund.
    •    Find your nearest refund point: https://www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/where-to-return
     

  • •    Empty Aerosol cans
    •   Food and beverage cans
    •    Foil trays
    •    Aluminium foil scrunched into a ball
    •    Eligible Containers for Change items can also be cashed in for a 10 cent refund.
    •    Find your nearest refund point: https://www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/where-to-return

  • •    Your recyclables are not sent to landfill. They are transported to a MRF.
    •    There, manual sorting and automated systems separate materials.
    •    Once sorted, materials are compressed into bales or glass is crushed for remanufacturing.

    •    Watch the video: 

    Take a virtual tour

     

  • MYTH: 'Recycling just ends up in landfill'
    → Not true. Most recyclables are reused, and it's cheaper to recycle than landfill.

    FACT: 'Each council has different recycling rules'
    → True. Always check your local council or use the Recycle Mate app.

    MYTH: 'A few wrong items in the bin doesn’t matter'
    → Even a small amount of contamination can ruin a whole batch.

    FACT: 'Recycling helps the environment and economy'
    → It reduces pollution, creates jobs, and supports a cleaner future.

    MYTH: 'All recycling is sent overseas'
    → 80% of recycling is processed in Queensland.
     

Final Reminder

✅ Sort it right.
✅ Check your local rules.
✅ Keep recycling clean and simple.

The Bin Health Check Program is proudly funded by the Queensland Governments Lets get It Sorted Partnership Program and is delivered by Scenic Rim Regional Council

This guide has been produced to help residents make choices that will improve their world as well as the environment by avoiding waste and maximising opportunities to reuse and recycle while saving money.

Find the guide here

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