Recycling Guide for Australian Households

Bin System

Most Australian councils provide three bins: Red/dark lid (general waste): Non-recyclable items, food scraps (if no green bin), nappies, soft plastics. Yellow lid (recycling): Paper, cardboard, glass bottles, metal cans, hard plastic containers (rinse first, no plastic bags). Green lid (garden/organic): Garden clippings, food scraps (check your council). Some councils add a fourth purple-lid bin for glass. Rules vary by council — check your local council website for specific guidelines.

Common Mistakes

These items are NOT recyclable in yellow bins: soft plastics (plastic bags, cling wrap, chip packets), coffee cups (lined with plastic), pizza boxes (if greasy), nappies, clothing, foam/polystyrene. Putting wrong items in recycling contaminates the whole batch. Soft plastics can be recycled at REDcycle bins in Coles and Woolworths.

Container Deposit Scheme

Return eligible drink containers (cans, bottles) for 10 cents each at collection points. Available in NSW, QLD, SA, WA, NT, TAS, and ACT. Machines at supermarkets and dedicated return centres. Can earn $5-20 per bag of containers. For Chinese Australians who buy lots of bottled drinks, this adds up quickly. Kids can earn pocket money collecting containers from neighbours.

E-Waste

Never put electronics in any bin. Free e-waste recycling: Officeworks accepts old tech, council e-waste collection days (check council calendar), MobileMuster for old phones (boxes in most phone shops). Batteries: Aldi, Battery World, and some Officeworks stores have battery recycling bins.