Domestic FAQ's

Why do I need to take the lids off the plastic bottles that I recycle?

Lids are made of a different type of plastic to bottles so they need to be removed and placed in the general rubbish. lf they end up at the Materials Recycling Facility, their small size means they can jam the machines. Lids that are larger than the size of a take-away coffee lid can be recycled. Having removed the lids, please ensure that all bottles are empty. Any liquid within a bottle can spill and ruin other recyclable products. Also, the weight of a half-full bottle makes it more difficult for automated systems to recognise it as a plastic item.

Why can't I put broken drinking glasses, window glass or mirrors in the recycling bin?

Kitchenware, mirrors and windows are made of heat-strengthened material and melt at a higher temperature than glass used for jars and bottles. This means these materials will not melt during the recycling process and cause contamination of the finished product (five grams of this material in one tonne of glass is enough to contaminate the whole load).

Why do I need to wash out my bottles and cans?

Dirty recyclables attract vermin to your bin and can be unpleasant for workers at the sorting plant. Rinse out your recycling in your washing up water to conserve water.

Can pizza boxes be recycled?

Pizza boxes that have no food residue can be recycled. However, if there are traces of food on the box, please dispose of it with your general rubbish, or place it in your worm farm or compost bin.

What does the numbering on plastic containers mean and why is it no longer used to identify recycling?

The numbering within the triangle refers to the different type of plastic used to make up the container but it does not necessarily mean the item can be recycled through the kerbside system, for example polystyrene is not recyclable in your yellow-lidded bin but it bears the number 6 (as do some plastic bags which are also not recyclable in the yellow-lidded bin). lt is less confusing to remember that all solid plastic containers used in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom can be recycled.

Can I recycle window envelopes and glossy magazines?

Window envelopes and packaging that is predominantly paper or cardboard with a small amount of plastic can go straight into your recycling bin. Glossy magazines can also go in your yellow-lidded recycling bin.

What does contamination refer to?

Contamination is where an item is placed in the wrong bin. lt may be garbage in a recycling bin or a glass bottle in a paper bin. Contamination can ruin a whole truck load of recyclables and is an unnecessary and avoidable cost to the community. In order to reduce contamination, all collection vehicles are fitted with cameras. Addresses where recycling bins are contaminated are noted for follow up action by Waste Services staff. Recycling is often hand sorted, so next time you place an item in your recycling bin, please consider how it may affect the sorting staff at the recycling centre. Common contaminates found in recycling bins are nappies, car batteries, dangerous chemicals and polystyrene foam. It is important that recyclables are put loosely into the recycling bin and should not be placed in plastic bags. Plastic bags get tangled in the machinery at the Materials Recycling Facility and can contaminate the whole load.

Information

To learn more about the correct items to place in your red, yellow and green bins, visit the Bins (correct use) page.