What can go in kerbside recycling

Only plastics with the recycling symbol and numbers 1, 2 or 5 can be recycled.

The items need to be clean, not squashed and have lids, pumps and triggers removed.

• Drink and milk bottles
  • Water bottles up to 10L – must be cut in half around the circumference
  • Water bottles up to 15L – must be cut twice around circumference (into three pieces).
• Food containers
• Cleaning product containers

Note: Polystyrene, soft plastic, cartons and coffee cups cannot be recycled in kerbside recycling. Also containers which have contained pesticides, motor oil and other hazardous chemicals cannot be recycled. 

Cardboard and paper should be larger than a postcard, with boxes folded/flattened to be smaller than 50cm x 50cm.  This can be contained in a small box (like a beer box), paper bag, or tied with jute string, and placed beside, between, or on top of the recycling crate.  

The total volume should be approximately the size of a recycling crate.  The volume ensures the service vehicle can complete the run, while the size allows for efficient collection and placement in the truck.

• Newspapers and magazines
• Egg cartons
• Office paper and envelopes
• Domestic junk mail
• Cereal boxes
• Cardboard boxes, including pizza boxes (but remove pizza scraps and cheese residue)
• Brown corrugated cardboard
• Books (remove plastic cover)

Note: It can't be recycled if it is waxed or foil-backed, has plastic or food on it, or if it is smaller than a postcard.

Clean and not squashed:

• aluminium drinking cans
• food tins
• pet food tins

• plastics with numbers 3, 4, 6 and 7
• plastics with no number
• plastic items over 4 litres
• plastic bags
• polystyrene
• bubble wrap
• cling film
• tin foil

Consider avoiding these types of plastics and packaging to reduce your waste.

• Coffee cups and all drink or food cartons, eg juice, milk, yogurt, etc
• potato chip tubes
• powdered hot chocolate tubs

• broken glass
• ceramics
• cosmetic glass jars or bottles
• drinking glasses and cups
• glass bricks
• light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
• medical and lab glass containers
• mirrors
• Pyrex
• TV tubes and computer screens
• vases and ornamental glass
• window glass

• sharp/broken objects
• medical syringes with needles
• batteries
• aerosols such as fly spray, spray deodorant and cream cans
• paint and oil
• all types of gas bottles / cylinders

Learn more about hazardous waste disposal