Recycling different types of plastic waste in Brisbane

Description: Firm and flexible plastics include household containers which 'pop in' and 'pop out' when you apply and release pressure.

Examples: Margarine containers, milk bottles, shampoo bottles, yoghurt containers.

Disposal: Place clean and empty items in your yellow bin.

Description: Hard or rigid plastics don't compress when you apply pressure.

Examples: Broken toys, reusable water bottles, Tupperware.

Disposal: Take these items to one of our Council's resource recovery centres. Do not place them in your yellow bin.

Description: Film-like, 'scrunchable' plastics.

Examples: Bread bags, chip packets, pasta bags.

Disposal: Place these items in you red bin. Do not put soft plastics in your yellow bin.

Description: Foam-like plastics.

Examples: Packing material used for household furniture, white goods and electronic items.

Disposal: Take clean polystyrene to one of Council's resource recovery centres. Do not place in your yellow bin.

Description: Plastic products made of more than one type of plastic or are small. These items are hard to recycle.

Examples: Glitter, lids, pens, stickers, synthetic textiles, toys.

Disposal: Most of these items can be placed in your red bin. Some items, such as pens, toys and textiles, may be accepted through recycling programs or a Council resource recovery centre.

• Refuse plastic packaging when you purchase goods. It feels great to say 'no' and this simple action sends a signal to sellers to reduce plastic packaging.
• Use reusable water bottles. This will save you money too.
• For your favourite products, look into reusable or refillable options like soda making machines, yoghurt kits or bread makers.
• Refill empty containers at outlets providing refill stations and choose refill packs for cleaning and beauty products. 
• Take reusable bags and containers when you shop and order takeaway food and drink.
• Buy 'nude' food without plastic packaging, such as loose carrots and apples.
• Make and bake household items, including meals, snacks, cleaning and beauty products.
• Avoid home-delivered ready-made meals. They include extra packaging waste.
• If you have a baby or toddler, switch to using reusable nappies and wipes.

• Avoid cling wrap by storing food in clear containers.
• Avoid individually wrapped items like dishwasher tablets, teabags, and ice blocks. Instead, buy powdered or liquid dishwasher detergent, loose leaf tea, or ice cream in a tub.
• Chop and make your own veggie packs for the freezer, reusing frozen fruit bags.
• Grow fresh herbs in pots - mint, sage and rosemary are the easiest herbs to grow.
• Bring your own reusable garment bag and coat hanger when dropping off your clothes at the dry cleaners.
• Reuse bubble wrap.
• For parties and picnics, use reusables like plates, napkins, decorations, and fabric bunting instead of balloons. Keep a decorations box and pass onto family and friends for the next party.
• When shopping online ask for minimal packaging from your supplier.
• Take your own bag or container when buying meat and fresh seafood and let your server know.
• Use reusable menstrual product options.
• Choose plastic packaging that is easily reusable or recyclable and/or contains recycled content.

• Ask for gift experiences (e.g. show tickets, day spa treatment, day out with friends and family).
• Consider borrowing instead of buying. Use Council's libraries or visit tool or toy libraries.
• Seek alternatives to plastic such as bamboo, wood, metal and glass. You can reuse these long-life products and recycle or compost them when they’re no longer usable.

• Choose natural fibres like cotton, linen, wool, and silk to stop synthetic fibres from washing into waterways. 
• Remove plastic stickers from fruit before composting as they don't break down.
• Avoid glitter and plastic confetti.
• Smokers can carry a small container to store cigarette butts. Dispose of them later in a general waste bin. Cigarette butts are the most littered item in Brisbane. Plastic in cigarettes can take 12-15 years to break down.

• Place clean and empty firm plastic containers in your household recycling bin with the yellow lid. Examples include milk bottles, shampoo bottles, berry punnets, and biscuit trays.
• Polystyrene, soft plastics and plastic bags do not belong in your yellow bin.
• Learn about what can go in your recycling bin and how to order a larger recycling bin for free.
• Items that can't go in your yellow bin may be suitable for a resource recovery centre, recycling program, or general waste bin.

• Visit one of the Council's four resource recovery centres to recycle clean polystyrene, hard plastics, mobile phones, and more. All recycling drop-offs are free at these centres. Discover what you can take to the centres at Chandler, Geebung, Nudgee and Willawong.

• Bottles and small fruit juice boxes and receive 10 cent per container. Visit the Containers for Change website to find eligible containers and refund locations.
• Cosmetics packaging, compact discs, DVDs and blister packs at community recycling hubs.
• Pens and markers, coffee pods and preloved toys at a retailer with a recycling program.

• Australasian Recycling Label (ARL)
• Bin signage
• Brisbane Bin and Recycling app
• Recycle Mate app.