Recycling Guide Australia

This FREE A-Z Recycling Guide or A-Z Recycling Directory is meant to help everyone in Australia decide what to recycle and how, for items other than those meant to be placed in your regular Yellow Bin. The purpose of this guide is to show individuals and households how to recycle and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill. For industrial plastic recycling, there are other platforms and services to consult. If you have anything you’re unsure what to do with and want to avoid landfill, check this guide out for inspiration!

This Aussie recycling guide is by no means exhaustive and we plan on keeping it updated. If you have any input / feedback on what to add please contact info@implasticfree.com

You should always check first with your local Council what they recycle and what not. For pre-loved items that are still in good conditions and can still be used, you should also check first your local Buy Nothing Group on Facebook or use Facebook Marketplace to se if someone else would like to use what you’re trying to get rid of.

Please find the website links to the Recycling Organisations or specialised National Recycling Programs and other useful companies mentioned in the A-Z list at the end of this article, so as not to repeat the links under each item from A-Z.

 

A

Air conditioners: Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Air freshener aerosol cans: TerraCycle Dish & Air Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/dish-and-air-care#how-it-works  Look for your closest Community Collection Hub on the TerraCycle map listed below.

Air fresheners and refills: (including plug-ins and plastic outer packaging) TerraCycle Dish & Air Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/dish-and-air-care#how-it-works  Look for your closest Community Collection Hub on the TerraCycle map listed below.

Air mattresses: Ploys

Alarm clocks: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Aluminium (scrap): local scrap metal recyclers

Amplifiers: Officeworks, Techcollect, Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Angle grinder: Recycle Smart ($2 / bag Sydney based)

Artificial grass: try animal shelters or animal hospitals

Athletic Balls (Tennis balls, baseballs, softballs, wiffleballs, basketballs, golf balls, dodgeballs, raquetballs, soccer balls, footballs, bowling balls, ping-pong balls, and foam balls): TerraCycle Athletic Balls Zero Waste Box. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/zero_waste_boxes/athletic-balls-en-au# Please do not include unwanted raquets, mitts, gloves, bats, helmets, nets, clubs, or paddles.

 

 

B

Backpacks: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Bags (handbags, backpacks, duffel bags etc): Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Baking tray: or use The Great Pan Exchange, a cookware recycling initiative by Kitchen Wareghouse. You can bring your old pans, pots, and baking trays directly to the store.

Bathers: see Swimwear

Batteries (domestic  AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, Button, rechargeable ones): OfficeWorks, Woolworths, Bunnings, Aldi, TradeTools, TotalTools etc. thanks to the initiative by the B-Cycle battery recycling initiative Australia wide. See the link at the bottom.

Batteries (laptop): OfficeWorks

Batteries (mobile phone): OfficeWorks

Beauty products (plastic, completely cleaned out, all brands accepted): TerraCycle Beauty Products and Packaging – Zero Waste Box. https://zerowasteboxes.terracycle.com.au/collections/zero-waste-boxes/products/beauty-products-and-packaging-zero-waste-box

Several retailers including Priceline Maybelline New York TerraCycle program, Flora and Fauna (Sydney based), Banish (Sydney based), Biome (Brisbane based), Ecolateral (Adelaide based) etc. are currently collecting on behalf of this paid program. Several beauty brands have started to introduce their own recycling program, just for their brand. We won’t list all the brands here, as our philosophy is to help people live with less plastic waste and switch to plastic free & refillable products in a true zero waste beauty lifestyle.

Bed linen / bed sheets / bedding (unsable): Sheridan, H&M, Upparel, animal rescue groups (for example, wildlife rescue use pillowslips for young orphaned kangaroos (joeys) who miss their mothers pouch), use them for rags, drop sheets for painting, ask your local panel beater or mechanic, give them to your local Boomerang Bag community centre to be sown into reusable bags.

Beer bottle lids / tops: they are made of steel and can go in a steel can e.g. tomato tin. The can needs to be squashed closed so the bottle tops don’t fall out. Don’t put too many in, if too heavy it will confuse the sorting machines, only a few bottle tops per tomato can is best. Please check with your own Council as this method is not accepted by every Council.

Bell balls (plastic): animal shelters

Bird bowls of all sizes (with hooks that are rigid): animal shelters or hospitals

Binders: Zero Waste Box from TerraCycle

Biscuit packets (outer wrapper only): Red Cycle

Bladder Bag (silver foil type of bag, i.e. Koh cleaning products): general waste, no recycling options are available yet

Blankets (unusable): animal shelters or animal hospitals

Blenders & Mixers: Bunnings, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Blister packs (made of various plastics, foils, and paper foils): with 49 participating Alliance Pharmacy stores across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland like Chemists’ Own via the Terracycle program. This link lists the participating pharmacies: https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/chemists-own-blister-pack-recycling-program

Books (unusable): your local library, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Boots (leather, unusable): can be traded in at RM Williams

Boots (gumboots): Bata Australia recycle theirs

Boots (work boots) (old): Totally Workwear Boot Recycling Program (only participating stores)

Bottle Tops / Lids: Lids4kids, please note they don’t accept plastic lids with rubber inside. Send them in to school who use them for craft, murals, maths and design and art units.

Bowls: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Bras: (no with Upparel), if clean, good quality: Uplift Bras Project, or Support the Girls Project. If unusable: H&M or Underwear for Humanity if you are one of their customers.

Bread bags (without the tie): Red Cycle

Bread tags

• Only the plastic ones: Lids 4 Kids, Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs, The Breadtag Project, Banish (Sydney based), Biome (Brisbane based), Ecolateral (Adelaide based)
• The cardboard ones: collect them and place them in an envelope, then throw them in the co-mingle recycling for paper

Brushes: animal shelters or hospitals

Bubble wrap (large sheets cut into A3 size pieces): Red Cycle

 

C

Cables and chargers: OfficeWorks, TechCollect, Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Car batteries (old): Super Cheap Auto, Repco

Car oil (old): Super Cheap Auto

Carboard pizza boxes: they can be recycled in your general recycling bin, only if they’re clean.

Carpet: (no Upparel)

(Printer Ink & Toner) Cartridges: OfficeWorks

Cat and dog food pouches (soft plastic – as clean and dry as possible): Red Cycle

Cat string toys: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Cat water bowls: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Cat litter trays (new): animal shelters or animal hospitals

Cat tents: animal shelters or animal hospitals

CDs (e-Waste) (only CDs not the plastic covers): OfficeWorks, TechCollect

CD Plastic cases: YCA Recycling (SA), Recycle Smart ($2/bag Sydney based). Some councils even allow CD cases in their yellow bin, so do check your local council’s A-Z Recycling Guide

Cellophane from bunches of flowers (cut into A3 size pieces): Red Cycle

Cereal box liners: Red-Cycle

Chargers: OfficeWorks, TechCollect, Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Chip and cracker packets (silver lined): Red-Cycle

Chocolate and snack bar wrappers: Red-Cycle

Clam shell pools: shelters or animal hospitals

Cling film – GLAD, COLES HOME brand and WOOLWORTHS Essentials Home brand ONLY: Red-Cycle

Clip-on car fresheners and refills (including plastic outer packaging): TerraCycle Dish & Air Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/dish-and-air-care#how-it-works  Look for your closest Community Collection Hub on the TerraCycle map listed below

Cleaning accessories spray bottles: TerraCycle Dish & Air Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/dish-and-air-care#how-it-works  Look for your closest Community Collection Hub on the TerraCycle map listed below

Clothing (jeans, t-shirts, coats etc): Upparel, SCRGroup (still usable), H&M, Textile Recyclers Australia (Sydney & Mebourne)

Coats: Upparel, H&M

Coffee bags: TerraCycle Zero Waste Box

Coffee cups (disposable): 7Eleven Cup Rescue Recycling Program, Coffee Club, Muffin Break

Coffee pods / capsules:  check if your coffee brand has a recycling program like Nespresso (see link to their Recycling Satchel below), otherwise the Terracycle Coffee Capsules Zero Waste Box™ accepts all brands. They accept all varieties of used coffee or tea discs from any capsule-specific coffee or tea machine including, fresh packs, K-Cups and t-discs.

Computers & accessories (keyboards, laptops, mice & cables e-Waste): OfficeWorks

Computer power supplies: OfficeWorks

Concealer tubes and sticks: see Beauty products

Conditioner (plastic bottles): see Beauty products

Confectionery bags: Red-Cycle

Contact lenses blister packs: TerraCycle Bausch & Lomb Recycling program, please note that the program is closing at the end of February 2021.

Contact lenses (used): TerraCycle Bausch & Lomb Recycling program, please note that the program is closing at the end of February 2021

Contact lenses (cases): TerraCycle Bausch & Lomb Recycling program, please note that the program is closing at the end of February 2021

Cooking oils: your local community recycling centre. Keep a jar where you keep adding to. Never pour it down the drain

Cookware: or use The Great Pan Exchange, a cookware recycling initiative by Kitchen Wareghouse. You can bring your old pans, pots, and even baking trays directly to the store.

Cooling mats: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Copper pipes: local scrap metal recyclers

Cosmetics: see Beauty products

Couch covers (fabric): Upparel

Correction fluid pots and correction tape: OfficeWorks

Crates (large): animal shelters or animal hospitals

(Coffee) Cups (disposable): 7Eleven Cup Rescue Recycling Program, Coffee Club, Muffin Break

Curtains: Upparel, H&M

(Shower) Curtains: Ploys

Cushions: (no Upparel), PAWS / RSPCA don’t accept them either as the animals rip them into pieces creating microplastics with the fluff inside.

 

D

Data storage: portable hard drives, DVDs, CDs, USB, Flash Drives, Memory Cards: OfficeWorks

Dental floss container: TerraCycle & Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/oral-care-brigade-au Look for your closest collection point on the TerraCycle map listed below

Desktop computer (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect, Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Digital cameras (unsable): Recycle Smart ($2 /bag Sydney based)

Dishwashers: Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Dishwashing liquid bottles (including caps): TerraCycle Dish & Air Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/dish-and-air-care#how-it-works  Look for your closest Community Collection Hub on the TerraCycle map listed below

Dishwashing tablets flexible packaging (including snap locks and zip locks): TerraCycle Dish & Air Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/dish-and-air-care#how-it-works  Look for your closest Community Collection Hub on the TerraCycle map listed below

Drink containers: container deposit scheme depot. Sometimes there is a local group who fundraises

Document sleeves (remove the white reinforcement strip along the holes): Red-Cycle

Dog collars: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Dog food pouches (soft plastic): Red-Cycle

Dog kennels: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Drawstring bags (large): animal shelters or animal hospitals

Dry pet food bags: Red-Cycle

Dryers: Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Duffel bags: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Duvets/ doonas: (no Upparel)

DVDs e-Waste (discs only not the covers): OfficeWorks, TechCollect

DVD cases: upcycle them through ideas on Pinterest

DVD players (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect, Recycle Smart ($2/bag Sydney based), Bunnings

 

E

e-Waste: OfficeWorks

Earphones: Recycle Smart ($2/ bag, Sydney based)

Electric appliances (you can carry): Bunnings

Electric grill: Bunnings, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Electric toothbrush handles & bases (and cable chargers): TerraCycle & Colgate Electric Toothbrush Recycling Program. All brands accepted. Look for your closest collection point in the TerraCycle map listed below.  Ensure batteries are discharged. Strict shipping guidelines. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/colgateelectric-au

Electric toothbrush heads: TerraCycle & Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/oral-care-brigade-au Look for your closest collection point in the TerraCycle map listed below

Enrichment feeders for all animals: animal shelters or animal hospitals

E-readers: Recycle Smart ($2/ bag, Sydney based)

Eye drop droppers (LDPE 4 plastic): unfortunately not recyclable

Eye liner pencils: see Beauty products

Eye shadow tubes: see Beauty products

Eye glasses: see Prescriptions glasses

 

F

Fabric mattress protectors (not waterproof/plastic): Upparel

Fabric off-cuts and sewing scraps: Upparel, H&M

Fabric couch covers: Upparel

Face soap dispensers: see Beauty products

Fan heater: Bunnings, Recycle Smart ($2 /bag Sydney based)

(Water) Filters: TerraCycle Brita Recycling Program https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/brita-recycling

Floss plastic containers (empty): TerraCycle & Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/oral-care-brigade-au Look for your closest collection point on the TerraCycle map listed below

Fluoro globes and tubes: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Foil (aluminium): yellow bin for recycling, make sure it is at least a golf size ball

Foreign coins: CBA, Bankwest branch who gives them to Unicef

Food scraps / food waste: if you don’t have a FOGO bin, compost bin, bokashi, or worm farm at home, then use ShareWaste

Fresh produce bags: Red-Cycle

Fridges (clean): Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Fruit netting (remove metal clips): Red-Cycle

Fruit stickers (only if stuck to another piece of soft plastic, don’t stick a whole bunch of these at once on one piece of soft plastic): Red-Cycle

Frozen food bags: Red-Cycle

 

G

Gamer console: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Gaming equipment (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect

Gift cards (Woolworths): returned to store who have partners with Close The Loop to recycle these

Glass jars (Moccona, Passata etc.): can be re-used to storage food instead of plastic

Glasses (Prescription): OPSM, Fred Hollows Foundation (doesn’t take them any longer), SpecSavers, YWAM (Youth With a Mission), LIONS Recycle for Sight Australia, many optometrists have a TerraCycle Eyewear Zero Waste Box https://zerowasteboxes.terracycle.com.au/products/eyewear-zero-waste-boxes

Glasses Frame (Prescription): if the frame of your prescription glasses is broken you can send them to Frame Care Australia to get them repaired.

Gloves (disposable): Disposable Gloves Zero Waste Box™ | TerraCycle – TerraCycle Zero Waste Boxes Australia

Green reusable shopping bags (Polypropylene Bags): Red-Cycle

 

H

Hair gel tubes and caps: see Beauty products

Hair paste plastic jars and caps: see Beauty products

Hair spray bottles and triggers: see Beauty products

Hairdryers: Bunnings, Recycle Smart ($2/bag Sydney based)

Hand bags: SCRGroup, Recycle Smart ($2/bag Sydney based)

Hanging bird toys: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Hard drives (loose): OfficeWorks, techCollect

Hats: Upparel, Recycle Smart ($2/ bag, Sydney based)

Headphones: Recycle Smart ($2/ bag, Sydney based), OfficeWorks (?)

Heavy duty wheelbarrows: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Hospital plastic waste: see CircMed at the bottom of this page

Hidey holes or boxes made out plastic: animal shelters or animal hospitals for cats

Hot water bottles/ heat pads: animal shelters or animal hospitals

 

I

Ice cream wrappers: Red-Cycle

Infant animal milk formula e.g “Womabaroo”: animal shelters or animal hospitals,

Inflatable pool toys: Ploys (only South East Quensland)

iPods: Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Iron: Bunnings, Recycle Smart ($2 /bag, Sydney based)

IT accessories: see e-Waste

 

J

(Rain) Jackets: Ploys

Jackets: Upparel, H&M, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Jars: see Glass Jars

Jeans: Upparel, H&M, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

 

K

Keyboards (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Kettle: Bunnings, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Kitchen scales: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Kongs (especially larger ones): animal shelters or animal hospitals

 

 

L

Laptop (e-Waste): OfficeWords, TechCollect, Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

(Bottle) Lids: Lids4kids, please note they don’t accept plastic lids with rubber inside. Send them in to school who use them for craft, murals, maths and design and art units.

Linen (bedding, sheets, towels, tea towels etc): Upparel

Lip balm and lip gloss tubes: see Beauty products

Lingerie: H&M

Lightbulbs (used): Ikea

Lotion bottles, tubes, dispensers and jars: see Beauty products

Lolly bags (soft plastics): RedCycle

 

M

Magnets: Reverse Garbage (Sydney based), or your local school or daycare (if they can use them)

Makeup: (see also Beauty products)

• Finished plastic beauty packaging: plastic tubes, bottles, & containers: accepted with Priceline Pharmacy – Maybelline TerraCycle
• Glass bottles: accepted with Priceline Pharmacy – Maybelline TerraCycle
• Pumps, caps, droppers: accepted with Priceline Pharmacy – Maybelline TerraCycle
• Mascara tubes, wands & eyeliners: accepted with Priceline Pharmacy – Maybelline TerraCycle
• Lip products: accepted with Priceline Pharmacy – Maybelline TerraCycle
• Palettes and compacts (including with mirrors): accepted with Priceline Pharmacy – Maybelline TerraCycle
• Nail polish: not accepted with Priceline Pharmacy – Maybelline TerraCycle
• Make-up brushes: not accepted with Priceline Pharmacy – Maybelline TerraCycle
• Wooden make-up pencils: not accepted with Priceline Pharmacy – Maybelline TerraCycle
• Perfumes and aerosols: not accepted with Priceline Pharmacy – Maybelline TerraCycle
• Make up products that are not empty: not accepted with Priceline Pharmacy – Maybelline TerraCycle

Markers: OfficeWorks

Mascara tubes : see Beauty products

Masks (disposable): TerraCycle Box through Woolworths

Mattresses: Soft Landing or Mattress Recycle Australia

Mattress protector (fabric, not waterproof/ plastic, old, unusable): Upparel, H&M

Medical plastic waste: see CircMed at the bottom of this page

Mice cages: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Microphone: Recycle Smart ($2 /bag, Sydney based)

Microwaves (clean): Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Milk bottles (plastic): loose in the yellow bin (to make bath toys, recycled trolley, hand baskets and recycled stormwater pipers

Milk bottle lids: Lids 4 kids (remove the foam insert, wash in soapy water and dry well)

Mobile phone & accessories (cables / chargers / batteries etc. e-Waste): OfficeWorks or find drop off locations through Mobile Muster (i.e. libraries), TechCollect, Arnies Recon (Sydney based), Recycle Smart ($2 /bag, Sydney based)

Modems: OfficeWorks, TechCollect

Monitors (PC, e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect, Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Motherboards (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect

Mouse / Mice (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect, Recycle Smart ($2 /bag, Sydney based)

MP3 player: Recycle Smart ($2 /bag, Sydney based)

Muesli bar wrappers (soft plastics): Red-Cycle

 

N

Netting produce bags (any metal clips removed): Red-Cycle

Newspaper and magazine wrap (soft plastic): Red-Cycle

Network devices (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect

Noodle packaging (soft plastic): Red-Cycle

 

O

Office waste (art supplies, books and magazines, cleaning accessories, coffee station items such as used coffee pods and cups, fabrics and clothing, flexible and rigid plastic packaging, media storage, office supplies, office furnishings including small electronics, paper packaging, plastic cards and shipping materials): TerraCycle Office Separation Zero Waste Box™

Oral care products: TerraCycle & Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/oral-care-brigade-au Look for your closest collection point in the TerraCycle map listed below

 

P

Packets: Biscuits (outer wrapper only), Chip and cracker packets (silver lined): Red-Cycle

Paint: Paintback takes unwanted paint and packaging

Pans / Pots: (scratched surfaces/broken handles etc.) local metal recycling centre or can be used for a mud kitchen for children, or use The Great Pan Exchange, a cookware recycling initiative by Kitchen Wareghouse. You can bring your old pans, pots, and even baking trays directly to the store.

Party supplies and dining disposables (single-use cutlery): Banish

Pasta bags (soft plastic packaging): Red-Cycle

Peanut butter: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Pencils (preloved + usable): Give Write Charity (WA based), Pencils Community (VIC based)

Pens, felt tips, highlighters, markers, correction fluid pots (empty), correction tape, mechanical pencils’, eraser pens (unusable): OfficeWorks

Pet food bags (chaff/horse/chicken) – both the plastic and woven polypropylene types (but not woven nylon). Cut into A3 size pieces and shake free of as much product as possible: Red-Cycle. Update: this program has closed.

Royal Canin offers a FREE Recycling Program via Terra Cycle at selected vets and pet food retailers across Australia, i.e. Petstock. All brands accepted.

Photo negative plastic sleeves (not negatives): Red-Cycle

Pillows: (no Upparel), local vet hospital, GoKindly, Textile Recyclers Australia (Sydney & Mebourne). PAWS / RSPCA don’t accept them either as the animals rip them into pieces creating microplastics with the fluff inside.

Pillows (the hard plastic bag it comes in): use as storage containers

Pizza boxes: they can be recycled in your general recycling bin, only if they’re clean.

Plastic Boxes (Ferrero Rocher etc.): look for upcycling ideas on Pinterest

Plastic Australia Post satchels: Red-Cycle

Plastic that furniture comes wrapped in (cut into A3 size):  Red-Cycle

Plastic shopping carrier bags from all stores: Red-Cycle

Plastic silver foil type of bag (i.e. Koh cleaning products): general waste, , no RedCycle.

Plastic film wrap from grocery items such as nappies and toilet paper: Red-Cycle

Plastic sachets: Red-Cycle

Plastic satchels (from linens/bedding): use them as storage bags for seasonal clothes, as wet bags for swimming etc.

Plastic spray bottles (including spray and trigger heads): TerraCycle Dish & Air Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/dish-and-air-care#how-it-works  Look for your closest Community Collection Hub on the TerraCycle map listed below

Plastic toys (hard, durable): animal shelters or animal hospitals for dogs & cats

Plastic wrap: GLAD, COLES HOME brand and WOOLWORTHS Essentials Home brand ONLY: Red-Cycle

Pods (coffee / tea):  check if your coffee brand has a recycling program like Nespresso (see link to their Recycling Satchel below), otherwise the Terracycle Coffee Capsules Zero Waste Box™ accepts all brands. They accept all varieties of used coffee or tea discs from any capsule-specific coffee or tea machine including, fresh packs, K-Cups and t-discs.

Pool inflatables / Pool toys: see Inflatable pool toys

(Expanded) Polystyrene / Styrofoam: check your local community recycling centre if they recycle it, as some Councils do. They are turned into skirting or picture frames. Campaign your local council to introduce this locally if you don’t have it already. Recycle Smart ($2 /bag, Sydney based)

Potting mix and compost bags – both the plastic and woven polypropylene types (cut into A3 size pieces and free of as much product as possible): Red-Cycle

Prescription drug packaging (blister packs) empty: Banish

Prescription drugs (with expired medication): return to your local pharmacy as part of the Return Unwanted Medicines Project

Printed circuit boards: OfficeWorks, TechCollect

Printers (e-Waste, without toner): OfficeWorks, TechCollect, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Printer ink & toner cartridges (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, Cartridge World, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Puppy (toilet training) pads: animal shelters or animal hospitals

(Soft) PVC: Ploys

 

Q

Quilt covers (old, unusable): Sheridan, Upparel, animal rescue groups

Quilt covers (the hard plastic bag it comes in): use as storage containers

 

R

Radio: Bunnings, Recycle Smart ($2 /bag, Sydney based)

Rain Jackets: Ploys

Rabbit or guinea pig chews: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Rat cages: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Rice bags – both plastic and the woven type (if large, cut into A3 size pieces): Red-Cycle

Rubber Boats: Ploys

Rat cages: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Razors (plastic, refillable, disposable, replaceable blade cartridge units, rigid plastic packaging, flexible plastic packaging): TerraCycle & Gillette Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/oral-care-brigade-au Look for your closest collection point on the TerraCycle map listed below

Razor blades: TerraCycle & Gillette Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/oral-care-brigade-au Look for your closest collection point on the TerraCycle map listed below

Record players: Bunnings, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Remote controls: Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Ropes (hard, durable) for dogs and cats: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Rubber bands: give them to the postman, the florist and to local market vendors

 

S

Scanners (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect

School stationery (preloved + usable): Give Write Charity (WA based), Pencils Community (VIC based), (unusable): OfficeWorks

School Uniform: if still in good condition sell them on The Sustainable School Shop or on The Uniform Exchange online platforms.

(Food) Scraps: if you don’t have a FOGO bin, compost bin, bokashi, or worm farm at home, then use ShareWaste

Scratching posts: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Sealed bins or tubs (large) for pellets: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Set top boxes (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect

Sewing scraps: Upparel, H&M

Shade cloths: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Shampoo bottles and caps: see Beauty products

Shapewear: H&M

Shaving foam tubes (no cans): see Beauty products

(Bed) Sheets (unusable): Sheridan, H&M, Upparel, animal rescue groups (for example, wildlife rescue use pillowslips for young orphaned kangaroos (joeys) who miss their mother’s pouch), use them for rags, drop sheets for painting, ask your local panel beater or mechanic, give them to your local Boomerang Bag community centre to be sewn into reusable bags.

Sheets of plastic that furniture comes wrapped in (cut into A3 size pieces): Red-Cycle

Shell pools: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Shoes (all – only in pairs, single shoes not accepted): Upparel, SCRGroup, Bared Footwear, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based). If only the sole is worn out, you can get them resoled at Mister Minit for roughly $10 per shoe. Havaianas recycle their thongs in partnership with TerraCycle Australia. Bata Australia recycles their gumboots.

Shoes (Sport): TreadLightly, a national recycling initiative that takes your unwanted sport and active lifestyle shoes and gives them new life. They have collection points Australia wide and collect: Athletic Lifestyle Shoes, any Sports Branded Shoes, Thongs And Slides, Football Boots, Sneakers, Trainers, Runners, Golf Shoes. Rebel Recycling Program / Upparel. Etiko accepts their sneakers and thongs. If only the sole is worn out, you can get them re-soled at Mister Minit for roughly $10 per shoe.

Shower curtains: Ploys

Skincare plastic containers (old): see Beauty products

Silica gel: use them in boxes/containers to keep things dry of moisture, to prevent mold, or in shoes to keep them from smelling, or in the fridge to absorb odours

Slow feeders or enrichment feeders: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Smoke detectors: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Snap lock bags / zip lock bags (soft plastic): Red-Cycle

Socks & Stockings: Upparel, H&M, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney based)

Soft Plastic: everything that can be scrunched in your end. Confectionary packets, chips etc etc. can be collected in a plastic bag and can be put in the collection boxes of Woolworths & Coles for Red Cycle. Please Note: this program is not running any longer. We’ll update the page as soon as we find alternatives. In the meantime, please keep the habit of sorting the soft plastic in separate bags.

Soft PVC: Ploys

Soft Toys: (no Upparel)

Sound cards (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect

Speakers (plastic, computer, e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect, Arnies Recon (Sydney based), Recycle Smart ($2 /bag Sydney based)

Sports Balls (Tennis balls, baseballs, softballs, wiffleballs, basketballs, golf balls, dodgeballs, raquetballs, soccer balls, footballs, bowling balls, ping-pong balls, and foam balls): first check the Game On recycling program, to see if they can be donated to other organisations, otherwise look for the TerraCycle Athletic Balls Zero Waste Box. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/zero_waste_boxes/athletic-balls-en-au# Please do not include unwanted raquets, mitts, gloves, bats, helmets, nets, clubs, or paddles.

Sports Equipment: check the Game On recycling program, to see if they can be donated to other organisations,

Squeeze pouches with lid on (e.g. yogurt/baby food): Red-Cycle

(Fruit) Stickers (only if stuck to another piece of soft plastic, don’t stick a whole bunch of these at once on one piece of soft plastic): Red-Cycle

Stamps: send them to Lions who sell them to fundraise for children’s. Please find below, the list of stamp club members to post stamps to

Stationery: OfficeWorks

Stereos: Bunnings, Recycle Smart ($2 /bag Sydney based)

Stockings: see Socks & Stockings

Straws (only plastic, not paper, PLA, bamboo, or metal): TerraCycle Straws Zero Waste Box https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/zero_waste_boxes/straws_au , Biome (Brisbane based)

Styrofoam (Expanded Polystyrene): check your local community recycling centre if they recycle it, as some Councils do. They are turned into skirting or picture frames. Campaign your local council to introduce this locally if you don’t have it already. Recycle Smart ($2 /bag Sydney based)

Suitcases: if still new, donate them to “Hope in a Suitcase” a charity organisation that donates them to children in foster care, or look for a foster care centre directly.

Sunglasses: if the lenses are scratched, just have them replaced i.e. with the Sun Glass Fix, or try Specsavers, many optometrists have a TerraCycle Eyewear Zero Waste Box https://zerowasteboxes.terracycle.com.au/products/eyewear-zero-waste-boxes

Sunglasses Frame: if the frame of your sunglasses is broken you can send them to Frame Care Australia to get them repaired.

Syringes (new, unused): animal shelters or animal hospitals, schools for art projects. Medical waste is considered bio-hazard and therefore cannot be recycled

Swimwear: H&M, (no Upparel)

 

T

Tablets (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect, Recycle Smart ($2 /bag Sydney based)

Tea towels: Upparel, H&M

Televisions (TVs): OfficeWorks, TechCollect, Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Thongs: see shoes

Tights (usable, clean): H&M, Upparel, Biome Stores (Brisbane based)

Toasters: Bunnings, Recycle Smart ($2 /bag Sydney based)

Toothbrush heads: see electric toothbrush heads

Toothbrushes (plastic): TerraCycle & Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/oral-care-brigade-au Look for your closest collection point in the TerraCycle map listed below

Toothbrushes (bamboo): remove the nylon bristles and compost the bamboo part or use them for craft projects through ideas on Pinterest

Toothbrushes (electric): see Electric toothbrush handles & bases (and cable chargers)

Toothpaste tubes & caps (empty and clean): TerraCycle & Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program. All brands accepted. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/oral-care-brigade-au Look for your closest collection point in the TerraCycle map listed below

Torches: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney)

Toys:

• Including electric ones: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney)
• Big W Toys for Joy Recycling Prgoram in partnership with TerraCycle. Collection points are available at Big W stores across Australia. Please note: they cannot accept – books; batteries in toys; board games; wooden toys; Play-doh, paint and slime; pens, pencils, crayons or paint brushes; oversized toys such as bikes, scooters, skateboards; sports toys such as soccer goals.

Towels: local vet hospital, Sheridan, Upparel, animal shelters or animal hospitals, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney)

T-shirts: Upparel, H&M

Trampoline beds: animal shelters or animal hospitals

Treats (Pet): animal shelters or animal hospitals

Tyres: visit Tyre Stewardship Australia to find your nearest tyre recycler

 

U

Underwear: (not with Upparel) H&M or Underwear for Humanity if you are one of their customers

(School) Uniforms: see School uniforms

Umbrella fabric: Ploys

 

V

Vacuum cleaners (empty & clean): trade it in at Godfreys, Arnies Recon (Sydney based), for small ones see Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney)

Vegetable netting (soft plastics): Red-Cycle

Video camera: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney), Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney), OfficeWorks (?)

Video cards (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect

Video players: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney)

Vinyl records: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney)

VCR players (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect

VHS tapes: Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney)

 

W

Waffle makers: Bunnings, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney)

Washers: Arnies Recon (Sydney based)

Water filter: TerraCycle Brita Recycling Program https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/brita-recycling

Web cameras (e-Waste): OfficeWorks, TechCollect

Wet suit (incl. Booties, Gloves, Helmets, Diving suits): RipCurl wetsuit recycling program through TerraCycle. They accept all brands. https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/ripcurl-au

Wine (bottle) lids: they are made of aluminium. Squash them, collect them in an alu foil ball and place them in your general recycling bin.

Wine corks: Biome (Brisbane based)

Wine/water bladders – clear plastic ones only: Red-Cycle

Wine/water bladders – foil based: no recycling options are available yet

Work boots (old): Totally Workwear Boot Recycling Program (only participating stores)

(Plastic) Wrap: GLAD, COLES HOME brand and WOOLWORTHS Essentials Home brand ONLY: Red-Cycle

Wrapping paper and cardboard, ribbons or bows: no recycling options are available yet

 

X

X-Rays (medical / films): Siltech, or look for a local collection point on Recycling Near You, Recycle Smart ($2/bag, Sydney)

 

Y

Yoga mats (unusable): animal shelters or animal hospitals

 

Z

Zinc sticks: animal shelters or animal hospitals

 

 

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Recycling & Upcycling Organisations and useful Links:

• Animal Shelters / Animal Hospitals: there are many organisations around Australia, so we won’t list them here but you can find your local one through a web search
• Airnies Recon
• Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs
• B-cycle Battery Recycling Program
• Boomerang Bags Community Locations
• CircMed Medical Waste Recycling 
• Frame Care Australia
• Hope in a Suitcase
• Game on Recycling
• Give Write
• H&M Recycling Program 
• Lids 4 Kids Facebook Page
• Lids 4 Kids Facebook Groups around Australia
• Lions Clubs Australia – Recycle for Sight Program
• Lions International Stamps Club
• Mobile Muster Mobile Recycling
• Nespresso Australia Post Recycling Satchel
• Paintback Australia
•  Ploys – Pool Toys Donations for Recycling – (South East Queensland only)
• OfficeWorks Recycling Program Remember to save and delete any personal data or documents from your devices before you bring them in for recycling
• RecycleSmart
• Recycling Near You Online Directory by Planet Ark
• Red-Cycle Soft Plastic Recycling Program at Woolworths and Coles: containers available at nearly every Woolworth & Coles shops around Australia. Please Note: this program collapsed at the end of 2022. We’ll update the page as soon as we find alternatives. In the meantime, please keep the habit of sorting the soft plastic in separate bags.
• Rip Curl Wetsuit Recycling Program
• Royal Canin / Terra Cycle Pet Food Bag Recycling Program. All brands accepted.
• 7Eleven Cup Rescue Recycling Program
• ShareWaste
• Siltech X-Ray Recycling
• Sheridan Recycling Program
• SCRGroup Hub Finder or Recycling Directory Shoes / Hand bags / Accessories / Clothing Recycling. Committed to keeping things out of landfill. 70% of what they collect is re-homed in local and global communities, 15% is turned into rags, 15% is converted into biofuels.
• Support the Girls Bra Donation Project
• TechCollect Locations
• TerraCycle Please look for the collection point close to you through the TerraCycle Map
• Textile Recyclers Australia
• The Bread Tag Project: Please send your tags to: The Breadtag Project at 30 Lachlan Street Cowra NSW 2794
• The Great Pan Recycling Initiative by Kitchen Warehouse
• The Sun Glass Fix
• The Sustainable School Shop
• The Uniform Exchange
• Totally Workwear Boot Recycling Program
• TreadLightly – ASGA – Australian Sporting Goods Association 
• Tyre Stewardship Australia
• Uplift Bras Donation Project
• Underwear for Humanity
• Upparel Clothing & Shoes Recycling Program (only washed items)

 

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Remember : Recycling is good, but not the solution to our plastic & waste crisis. Ultimately, we need to REFUSE & REDUCE our waste.

Visit our platform or read our blog articles to find plastic-free, upcycled and sustainable alternatives that create less waste at the end of a product’s lifecycle.

If you have any suggestions on how to improve this Recycling Guide and add recycling programs, please email at info@implasticfree.com and we’ll happily update it!

 

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Copyright © Authors: Simona Paganetto – I’m Plastic Free / Sustainish Sam Sachdev. Last updated in November 2023.