If you frequently experience having a debate in your mind about whether certain trash is recyclable or not, then you're not alone!

Figuring out where certain items should go and distinguishing between recyclable and non-recyclable materials can be tricky. If you assume all plastics are the same, that’s not the case. Unfortunately, 36% of Australians think so. For example, hard plastics like beverage bottles can be recycled, but soft ones such as grocery bags and plastic wraps belong in your red general waste bins. 

Likewise, paper and cardboard may usually be recycled. Still, some products, like disposable coffee cups, bread bags, and foam meat trays, cannot be recycled even though they’re made from similar materials. 

If you’re already starting to doubt whether your current recycling habits are causing more harm than good, it’s time to pause and reconsider to ensure you’re on the right track!

Avoid being part of the 94% of people who mess up their recycling approach. Let’s look at what you can throw into the yellow recycling bin so you can finally sort your waste with confidence!

What CAN You Throw Into The Yellow Recycling Bin?

Your yellow recycling bins can accept anything that might still have a second chance in life. Generally, the yellow recycling bin is used for commingled recycling, which allows a variety of recyclables to be placed in one place.

You can place common household items in the yellow bin, such as:

• Paper and Cardboard: Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, cardboard boxes, egg cartons, and juice and milk cartons can be recycled. 

• Aluminium and Steel: You can recycle Aluminum and steel cans and aerosol bottles like those used for deodorant or cooking spray.

• Glass: Empty glass bottles and jars from things like wine, pickles, and jams can also be recycled as long as they are clean.

• Plastic: Plastics such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), and other types can be recycled. These are commonly used as water bottles, milk jugs, and food trays and containers. 

You can recycle food containers, cans, jars, and bottles in your yellow recycling bin, even though they’ve been used to store food and are most likely contaminated. Just make sure to rinse them out and remove any residue for it to be accepted. 

Moreover, many companies and manufacturers in Australia use the Australasian Recycling Label on food packaging nowadays. This will further help you know how to recycle each item easily. 

In NSW, you can even get a 10c refund for recycling drink containers through their Return and Earn program by bringing them to a return point across the state. 

What You Shouldn’t Throw In The Yellow Recycling Bins?

Recycling helps reduce landfill waste, but putting the wrong items in your recycling bin definitely slows down our progress towards protecting the environment.

So, here's a list of things to keep out of your yellow recycling bins:

• Float glass (e.g., light globes, mirrors, and window glass)
• Food waste (e.g., fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, leftovers)
• Wood
• Green Waste (e.g., garden clippings, leaves, prunings, weeds, lawn debris)
• Household hazardous waste (e.g., paint, ink, liquid chemicals)
• White goods
• Large household items
• Medical waste
• Plastics (e.g., plastic bags, bread bags, biscuit and confectionery packets, compostable plastic packaging, polystyrene takeaway food containers, meat trays, foam packaging)
• Sharps and Syringes (e.g., knives, needles, and sharp metals)
• Car parts

Putting things that don’t belong in your yellow recycling bin can lead to cross-contamination. Knowing what not to put in helps keep recycling efficient and eventually help the environment. 

Tips For Disposing of Recyclables in Your Yellow Bins

In NSW, be aware of the following rules for yellow recycling bins:

• Preparation: Ensure all bin items are dry, empty, and clean. Washing them beforehand helps keep the waste odour-free and sanitised.

• Unacceptable Items: Your yellow bin won't be collected if it contains large amounts of non-recyclable items or trash that could contaminate the load.

• Safety Hazard: If your bin is overfilled to the point where the lid can't close, the council won't collect it as it poses a safety risk to the operator.

Call A Reliable Rubbish Removal Team

If you have a large amount of recyclables and need to dispose of them quickly without waiting for the next collection day, All Gone Rubbish Removals can help. 

We offer reliable rubbish removal and collection services and ensure we send your waste to recycling, not landfills. We’ll take care of everything, so you don’t have to sort your waste beforehand. 

Call us at 0480 047 806 or request a free quote online. Even if you know what goes in the yellow recycling bin, you might need a hand with disposal, especially from the experts!