Recycling 101

Recycling 101

What can actually be recycled?

Recycling starts with knowing what belongs in the recycling bin. Many everyday materials can be recovered
and used again, but putting the wrong items into a recycling stream can contaminate otherwise valuable
material.

Paper & Cardboard

  • Office paper
  • Newspapers & magazines
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Clean paper packaging
Keep paper and cardboard dry and free from food or heavy contamination.

Plastic

Common recyclable plastic packaging includes PET beverage bottles and a range of other rigid plastic containers. Look for the recycling identification code on the packaging and check what your local recycling programme accepts.

Glass

  • Glass bottles
  • Glass jars
Where possible, rinse containers and remove food residue.

Metal

  • Beverage cans
  • Food tins
  • Clean metal packaging

Cartons

Some beverage and food cartons can also be recycled where suitable collection and recycling facilities are available.
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Before you recycle

Empty it . Rinse It . Separate it.

You do not need everything to be spotless, but recyclables should be reasonably clean and free from food, liquids and other waste.

Remember
A recycling symbol does not always mean that an item will
be accepted by every recycling programme. Collection systems and recycling markets differ, so always check what your waste serviceprovider or local recycling facility accepts.

Small changes at the bin make a big difference further down the recycling process.

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02 Contamination

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Why Contamination Matters?

One wrong item can affect far more than one recycling bin. Contamination happens when material that does not belong in a recycling stream is mixed with material that does.

Common examples include:

  • Food mixed with paper
  • Liquids left inside containers
  • General rubbish placed in recycling bins
  • Heavily soiled packaging
  • Hazardous material mixed with ordinary recyclables
How to reduce contamination

Not sure if something belongs in your recycling bin?

Get in touch
01

Empty containers

Remove leftover food and liquids. Keep paper dry
02

Keep paper dry

Wet or food-soiled paper can be difficult to recover.
03

Use clear bin labels

Show people what belongs in each bin.
04

Separate waste

Do not wait until everything has been mixed together. Keep educating
05

Keep educating

A successful recycling programme depends on the people using it.

03 The Recycling Journey

What Happens to Your Recycling After Collection?

You separated your recycling. The truck collected it. What happens next?

01

Collection

Recyclable material is collected from homes, businesses, offices, industrial sites and other collection points.

02

Sorting

The material is separated into different streams such as paper, cardboard, plastics, metals and glass.

03

Cleaning and Processing

Depending on the material, this can involve further sorting, cleaning, crushing, baling, shredding or other processing.

04

Recycling

Recycled PET can be used to manufacture new PET packaging and products such as fibre, strapping and other materials.

05

Back Into Use

The material starts another life instead of being lost to landfill.