Plastic waste in Brisbane

Avoid single-use and problematic plastics

• 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. Find out about reducing waste in school lunchboxes.
• For your favourite products, look into reusable or refillable options like Soda Stream.
• 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 pick up 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.

Swap soft plastics for reusable or recyclable options

• Avoid cling wrap by storing food in clear containers.
• Avoid individually wrapped items like dishwasher tablets, teabags, ice blocks by buying powdered or liquid dishwasher, 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. Find out more at Grow It Local.
• Bring your own reusable garment bag and coat hanger when dropping off your clothes at the dry cleaners.
• Reuse bubble wrap or drop into your closest picture framers.
• Party soft plastics – use reusables for picnics and parties such as: plates and serviettes, decorations, 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.

Limit plastic usage

• Ask for gift experiences (e.g. show tickets, day spa treatment, day out with friends and family).
• Borrow instead of buy. Visit the tool and toy libraries across Brisbane including:
  • Brisbane Tool Library, South Brisbane
  • Brisbane South Toy Library, Richlands
  • Carindale Toy Library, Carindale
  • CPL Resource and Toy Library, Yeronga
  • Play Matters Toy Library, Moorooka
• Seek alternatives to plastic such as bamboo, wood, metal and glass. These products are long life, reusable and can be recycled or composted when they are no longer usable.

Prevent plastic litter and microplastics

• Choose natural fibre clothing and textiles such as cotton, linen, wool and silk to prevent synthetic fibres washing into waterways. Find out more about textile waste.
• Remove plastic stickers from fruit before composting as they don't break down.
• If you smoke, carry a small container with you to store cigarette butts until you can dispose of them in a marked bin, or your general waste (red lid) bin. Cigarette butts are the most littered item in Brisbane. They are made from plastic and can take 12-15 years to break down.
• Discover more ways you can contribute to a litter-free Brisbane and protect our waterways.

• Reuse durable plastic items for their full life (e.g. until they warp or crack).
• Choose reusable or refillable options like Soda Stream for your favourite products.
• Reuse produce bags, a basket or cardboard box to hold loose fruit and vegetables.
• Reuse zip lock bags for frozen fruit.
• Repurpose plastic items for a different use (e.g. yoghurt containers used for storage, soft plastic bags to keep vegetables fresh in the fridge).
• Gift, buy, sell or donate plastic items that are in good condition and that you no longer need. Do this:
  • online via online marketplaces 
  • at local op shops and markets
  • at Council's Treasure Troves in Acacia Ridge and Geebung.

• Place firm and flexible plastic containers (e.g. milk and shampoo bottles, berry punnets, biscuit trays) in your household recycling bin (yellow lid). Find out more about what can go in your recycling bin and how to order a larger recycling bin for free.
• Visit one of Council's four resource recovery centres to recycle clean polystyrene (used for packaging), hard and other plastics, mobile phones and more. All recycling drop-offs are free at these centres.
• Recycle preloved plastic toys at your nearest Big W store.
• Collect plastic bottles and small fruit juice boxes to participate in the 10 cent refund program. Visit the Containers for Change website to find eligible containers and refund locations.
• Recycle your used pens and markers by dropping them off at your nearest Officeworks store.
• Recycle bottle caps, bread tags, toothpaste tubes and plastic cards at Biome stores.
• Recycle cosmetics packaging and coffee pods with Terracycle.
• Recycle medicinal blister packs at participating pharmacies or by post with Pharmacycle.

More information and tools to help you better recycle plastics

• Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) - see our blog The lowdown on recycling labels
• Bin signage - see our free recycling resources
• Brisbane's Best Recycling Guide for Households
• Brisbane Bin and Recycling app
• Planet Ark Recycling Near You
• Recycle Mate app