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05 Aug • 6 min Read Top 7 Recyclable Items People Mistakenly Throw in the Bin
The sad reality is, millions of recyclable items end up in landfills every year in Australia, simply because they’re put in the wrong bin. According to Clean Up Australia, as much as 10–15% of what goes in kerbside recycling is contaminated. These are often items that should have been recycled but weren’t clean, sorted, or recognised.
Getting it right makes a real difference and if you’re unsure, you’re not alone, but we’re here to help clear it up. Let’s dive into seven of the most commonly recyclable items people mistakenly throw away, and how to give them a second chance at life instead.
Why Proper Recycling Matters
Have you seen those pictures of plastics floating in the ocean or clogging up riverbanks? While that should be enough to convince anyone to think twice about what they’re tossing out, the reality is that recycling right is about more than guilt; it’s about leaving this planet in a better place for future generations.
When recyclable materials end up in landfill, we lose the chance to reuse valuable resources and reduce our reliance on raw materials. Worse still, when non-recyclable or dirty items are thrown into the wrong bin, it contaminates entire loads. This means truckloads of recycling might be redirected to landfill, even if most of it was fine.
It’s not just an environmental issue, it’s an infrastructure issue, too. Recycling facilities rely on clean, sorted materials to function efficiently. Contamination just slows down sorting, which in turn increases processing costs, not to mention the risks of damaging machinery.
And while Australia is now investing more in local recycling systems and a circular economy, we can still do our bit in getting it right at the household and business level. By rinsing containers, learning what goes where, and staying informed, every Aussie, home and workplace can make a difference.
Top 7 Recyclable Items People Mistakenly Throw in the Bin
Soft Plastics (e.g. bread bags, frozen veggie packets)
Most soft plastics, such as plastic bags, can’t go in your plastic recycling bin, which leads many people to bin them altogether. But many also don’t realise that they can be recycled through alternative programs. Soft plastics like bread bags, pasta packaging, and frozen veggie pouches can often be taken to special collection points at major supermarkets and local council drop-offs.
Tip: Look for REDcycle-alternative programs or check with your council for updated soft plastic recycling schemes near you.
Aluminium Foil (clean and scrunched)
Foil is 100% recyclable, but small bits can get lost in the sorting recycling process. Scrunching it into a ball about the size of a golf ball or larger to help in the sorting process. Avoid foil that’s greasy or still has food stuck to it. Just bin that.
Tip: Collect smaller pieces over time until you have enough to form a good-sized ball.
Batteries
People need to start making battery recycling a habit, because batteries should never go in household bins. They can spark fires or leak harmful chemicals. They’re recyclable at plenty of places, including Officeworks, Bunnings, Aldi, as well as designated council facilities.
Tip: Use a small, dedicated container at home to collect dead batteries, then drop them off next time you’re out shopping.
E-waste (e.g. mobile phones, chargers)
Old phones, headphones, and chargers don’t belong in your general waste, or that second top drawer where they remain for eternity. E-waste contains valuable rare earth materials (and harmful ones too), and can be recycled through council collection events, TechCollect, or drop-off points at electronics retailers.
Tip: Some councils even offer free e-waste pick-up days—check your local website for details.
Aerosol Cans
Aerosol cans (like deodorant, air freshener, or cooking spray) can go in your recycling bin. Just make sure the nozzle is still attached, they’re empty, and there’s no leftover pressure.
Note: Do not crush them and never try to puncture them before disposal.
Cardboard Takeaway Containers (if not contaminated with food)
Here’s a reverse misconception for you—those greasy pizza boxes cannot actually be recycled in your paper and cardboard blue bin. Unfortunately, those go in the general waste bin. However, if they’re clean or lightly used cardboard takeaway boxes, they can go in the recycling bin. As for disposable coffee cups, give both the cup and lid and good rinse, and throw the plastic lid in the plastic recycling bin, and the cardboard cup in the paper and cardboard household recycling bin. Paper towels must be binned, unfortunately.
Tip: If there’s just a bit of oil, you can tear off the clean parts and recycle those. For the coffee cups, check for the recycling symbol to ensure they can be recycled, but make sure they are relatively clean.
Glass Jars (even if stained, as long as they’re clean)
Jars for things like pasta sauce or jam are fully recyclable, even if they’re stained with colour. Just give them a quick rinse to remove food, and remove any plastic or metal lids (which can be recycled separately).
Tip: You can even put them through the dishwasher. You don’t need to scrub off labels but do make sure jars are mostly clean and dry.
Bonus Tips for Better Recycling Habits
Want to take your recycling game to the next level? These habits can help you stay on top of your recycling game so you will be the envy of your community:
- Download your local council’s waste app – Most councils now offer apps that tell you exactly what can and can’t be recycled. Plus, they provide reminders for bin day and drop-off events. Super handy when you’re unsure about an item.
- Stick to bin day rules – Overfilled bins, incorrect sorting, or putting bins out late can result in missed collections or rejected waste. Make sure lids close properly and that the right bin goes out on the correct day.
- Avoid the usual suspects – Common recycling mistakes include leaving lids on bottles, tossing in soft plastics, or recycling items with food residue. When in doubt, check your council’s guide or give it a quick rinse.
- Tackling a big clean-up? Consider a skip bin – Whether you’re spring cleaning, renovating, or just clearing out the shed, your recycling bins might not cut it. That’s where we come in.
By offering a large array of skip bins, no matter your situation, we have the ideal skip bin for you. It’s a smart, efficient, and environmentally responsible way to dispose of bulk waste, sorted and handled the right way.
The Role a Skip Bin Plays in Waste Management
When you’re dealing with a mix of materials, especially from renovations, garden projects, or general clean-ups, recycling gets tricky. And that’s where we come in. A skip bin takes the guesswork out of it.
At Matt’s Skip Bins, all the waste collected is sorted at our dedicated recycling yard, where we aim to ensure 90% or more is reused or diverted from landfill. In short, we do the heavy lifting, so you can feel confident knowing your waste will be handled responsibly.
Skip bins are also a great option when your normal bins just can’t keep up. Perhaps you have bulky furniture, construction debris, or a weekend’s worth of yard work. By using a skip bin, you’re not only saving time and effort, but you’re making an environmentally conscious choice.
So as you review your own bin habits, ask yourself:
Could I be recycling more? Sorting better? Or simply handling waste more efficiently?
And if the answer is yes, start with the right tools and explore waste types and skip bin options here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is one of the most common mistakes found in recycling bins?
Placing soft plastics, like bread bags and wrappers from the grocery stores, in the recycling bin is one of the most common mistakes.
What are the biggest contamination sources found in the recycling bins?
Food residue, plastic bags, shredded paper, and incorrectly sorted items like nappies or textiles are major sources of recycling contamination.
What are the most important items to recycle?
Clean paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, recyclable glass bottles, and hard plastics are among the most valuable and easily recyclable items for your curbside bins.
What happens if you put the wrong stuff in the recycling bin?
Contaminated bins can lead to entire truckloads of recyclables being diverted to landfills instead of being processed. This is a major issue in the recycling industry.
