#BYCWASTEFREE – All things Recycling
What is recycling?
Recycling is the process in which materials are made into something that can be used again.
Why should I recycle?
Recycling reduces the need to use materials such as wood, medals and oil. Instead it uses old products such as newspapers, bottles and cans to make something new and exciting!
A little bit of recycling from everyone in Brimbank can create a huge impact. We can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and reduce air and water pollution.
Where and what can I recycle?
Many things can be recycled, but are you doing it correctly?
RECYCLING BIN:
Every household has a yellow recycling bin, but not everything can be thrown in there.
Below is a video that shows what happens after your recycling is collected from your home:
Things that can be thrown into the recycling bin:
- Rigid plastic bottles and containers (look for the triangle recycling symbol with number 1,2 or 5 inside)
- Steel cans, aluminum tin and foil
- Glass bottles and jars
- Cardboard
- Clean paper
*note that items placed into the recycling bin should be loose, not put into a plastic bag.
Things that should NOT be thrown into the recycling bin (you might be surprised!):
- Soft plastics, anything that can be scrunched up into a ball by your hands, such as chip packets, plastic bags…etc
- Cling wrap
- Bagged garbage
- Nappies and nappy wipes
- Polystyrene and foam
- Glassware and mirrors
- Food or garden waste
- Textiles and clothing
- Batteries and electronics
- Syringes
- Waxy cardboard
REDCYCLE:
Soft plastics are not allowed in recycling bins, so where do we place them to be recycled? Well, there’s a program called REDcycle that can help.
All you have to do is gather your chip packets, plastic bags, plastic bread bags, or any other plastic that is scrunch-able, and drive to your nearest supermarket store such as Coles or Woolworths, to drop them off into the REDcycle collection bins.
Find your closest drop off point: https://www.redcycle.net.au/where-to-redcycle/
RECYCLING BATTERIES:
Batteries should never be put into recycling bins with other recyclable products as they are hazardous and could potentially set fire in recycling trucks and facilities. So, there are a few options to where you can drop off your used batteries for recycling:
- Any brands of AA, AAA, C, D and 9V ( both non rechargeable and rechargeable) can be dropped off at ALDI in a dedicated bin.
- Battery World also recycles all types of batteries.
Visit https://www.batteryworld.com.au/stores to find the nearest location for you.
Further information about what you can and can’t recycle, and where you can go to recycle items that can’t go into your recycling bin can be found here:
https://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/rubbish-recycling-and-waste/recycling-services
Written by Brimbank Youth Councillor Emily Bui
