The Australian recycling industry is changing, we all need to be flexible and adaptable to make the most of our valuable resources.
We all need to Recycle Right to adapt to these changes, protect our recycling industry and ensure our recycling will continue to be recycled as effectively and efficiently as possible. So keep our recycling in the loop and keep it coming 'round by recycling right.
Watch the videos below, use our A-Z waste guide to see what belongs in each bin or visit our Waste Education page for further information.
Recycle Right #1 Keep it Simple
Only recycle:
- Hard plastic bottles and containers
- Steel and aluminium cans
- Glass bottles and jars
- Paper and cardboard
Hint: View further information about Cairns Regional Council's Waste Services.
Recycle Right #2 Keep Out Soft Plastics
No soft plastics or wrapping, this includes:
- All plastics bags (bio-degradable or compostable)
- Plastic film
- Chip packets
- Bread bags
Hint: Consider the 'poke test'. If you can push your finger through it, then the plastic is too soft to be recycled. Soft, flimsy plastic gets tangled in the sorting machinery, causing expensive damage and extensive delays. Avoid plastic bags altogether by using your own reusable bags when shopping, use reusable containers and beeswax wrappers rather than cling wrap for lunches. Soft plastics can also be returned to participating supermarkets in the Cairns region.
Recycle Right #3 Keep Out Small Items
Don’t place anything smaller than a credit card into your recycling bin, this includes:
- All lids and caps
- Bread tags
- Coffee pods
- Ring pulls
Hint: If the item is too small to go through the sorting equipment, it can get jammed in the machinery and shut down operations for extensive periods of time. Items smaller than a credit card can be placed in your Red Lid Waste Bin.
Recycle Right #4 Keep it Safe
Keep it safe for our Materials Recovery Faciltiy (MRF) workers and machines ……. which means nothing hazardous that can harm our workers or anything that can damage the machines.
Keep out gas bottles, car batteries, strapping line, hose, netting, wires, building materials, oil, paint, chemicals and other hazardous materials.
Hint: View further information about materials accepted at Cairns Regional Council Transfer Stations.
Recycle Right #5 Keep it Clean
Keep it clean by rinsing or wiping out your containers of any excess food, drink etc.
- NO food scraps
- NO nappies
- NO soiled paper, cardboard
- NO general waste
Hint: View the Cairns Regional Council's list of correct items for the yellow lid recycling bin.
Recycle Right #6 Keep it Loose
Place your recyclables loose into your recycling bin.
Don’t bag or box your recyclables.
Hint: Have a designated recycling bin in the kitchen and bathroom to keep your recycling loose.
