Five things that can’t go in your recycling bin
Published on 01 February 2021
Five things that can’t go in your recycling bin – but you can recycle them at our Problem Waste Drop Off event, Saturday 6 February
Do you want to do the right thing for the planet by recycling your old lightbulbs, batteries, X-rays, soft plastics and unwanted clothes – but you find you never have the time to drive around to various drop off locations?
Our Problem Waste Drop Off event is for you! It’s a one-stop-shop for all your ‘problem waste’ recycling needs, and you don’t even need to get out of your car.
The tricky waste items you drop off will be diverted from landfill and given a second life.
1. Batteries and lightbulbswoo
Batteries and lightbulbs (including globes and fluorescent tubes) should never go in your household garbage or recycling bins as they need to be processed separately. They contain toxic heavy metals like lead, cadmium and mercury which leech into the environment. Batteries also pose a fire hazard in our waste trucks.
Drop them off at our Problem Waste Drop Off event and we’ll make sure the valuable materials like metal, glass, aluminium are recovered and reused.
Check out other recycling options for batteries and lightbulbs in our Disposal and Reuse Guide.
2. Bulky cardboard
If you’ve recently bought a new piece of furniture, or moved house, you have probably been left with large pieces of cardboard that are too big to fit inside your recycling bin.
Bundle up your cardboard and put it in the boot of your car and get rid of it the right way at our Problem Waste Drop Off day.
3. Old clothes
Australia’s obsession with fast fashion means tonnes of textiles are being dumped in landfill each year.
The ultimate solution is to buy less and make sustainable choices, but when all else fails, pass your unwanted clothes onto someone else to give them a second lease on life.
Bring your old clothes, shoes and accessories (must all be in good, clean condition) to our Problem Waste Drop Off event and our provider, King Cotton, will re-home them to people in need.
4. X-rays, CT scans and MRIs
Did you know that X-rays, CT scans and MRIs contain silver that can be recovered and recycled?
Before disposing of your scans, it’s always good to check if your doctor has copies saved electronically for easy reference.
Bring old scans to our Problem Waste Drop Off event either loose or in a bag or envelope.
5. Plastic bags and other soft plastics
Plastic bags and other soft plastics like bread bags, chip and biscuit packets should never go in your yellow-lid recycling bin, as they contaminate recycling. They really should be recycled by other means.
If you’ve got a bunch of soft plastics accumulating at home, but you always forget to drop them off while doing your weekly grocery shop, bring them along to our Problem Waste Drop Off day. The plastic will be used by Replas to create new outdoor furniture.
Packing tip: Scrunch your soft plastic and tie them up in a plastic bag so they don’t fly away on the day.
Read the full list of accepted items at our Problem Waste Drop Off event, as well as tips on how to pack your car.
Read more about disposal options for other Problem Waste items in our Disposal and Reuse Guide.
This is a NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.
Problem Waste Drop Off event details
Saturday 6 February, 9am – 3pm
Woollahra/Waverley depot, 67A Bourke Rd, Alexandria