10 common yellow bin recycling mistakes

Aerosols

Aerosols are considered to be hazardous waste and shouldn't be put into your yellow-lid, kerbside recycling bin. But don't despair - here's how they can be recycled instead. 

Disposable coffee cups

Because they're made of paper, they look like they could be recycled in your household bin. Unfortunately, to make them liquid proof, they are line with a layer of plastic. Consider taking your own reusable coffee cup to your local cafe, or save your disposable cups and then recyle them at a 7-Eleven store.

Plastic bags and soft plastics

Yes, they're made from plastic; no, they cannot be recycled in your kerbside bin. Now that the RedCycle programme for soft plastics has been suspended, unfortunately these soft plastics are destined for landfill. Here are some ways you can avoid using soft plastics when shopping instead. 

Plastic bottle lids

These are recyclable, but not in your kerbside recycling bin. This is because they are too small for the sorting machines to cope with and they will end up in landfill. Here are a few places that will take your plastic bottle lids for specialist recycling. 

Meat trays

Your empty meat trays can't go into your yellow lid recycling bin. Because they've contained raw meat, they are considered a contaminant and can't be recycled via your kerbside bin. 

Aluminium coffee pods

Aluminium is one of those fabulous materials that can be recycled over and over again - but not if they have been turned into coffee pods. Even if your coffee pods are empty - they are too small (just like the plastic lids) and some also have a layer of plastic on the inside. 

Shredded paper

The pieces are simply to small to be recycled via your yellow lid bin. Small amounts can go into your FOGO bin if your local council provides one. If not, here are some nifty uses for your shredded paper instead. 

Long-life cartons

This one can be really confusing and it's easy to understand why they are often found in kerbside recycling bins. This type of carton usually contain things such as liquid stock, long-life milk and juice. They also have an aluminium lining, which means they cannot be recycled in your kerbside bin and end up in landfill. You could buy your milk and fruit juice from the fridge instead and the containers can go into your recycling bin; and use stock cubes or powder instead of liquid for less packaging. Which supermarket cartons can I recycle?

Plastic plant pots 

You'd think these would definitely be a contender for your yellow lid kerbside recyling bin - unfortunately not. They are made of plastic that needs specialist recycling, so here's what you can do instead. 

Takeaway containers

Some can go into your kerbside recycling bin, some can't. Here's some information to help you work out which is which!

And here's what you can put into your yellow lid bin.