Recycling 101: The 7 Most Common Recycling Errors in Australia

Recycling is an important step in reducing waste and creating a circular economy, but not everything belongs in your yellow bin. In some circumstances, putting the wrong things in your bin or 'wish-cycling' can cause correctly recycled materials to go to landfill - or worse, cause a health and safety hazard.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this actually recyclable?" you’re not alone. Here are seven of the most commonly misrecycled items and what to do instead.

1. Soft Plastics (Plastic Bags & Wrappers)

🚫 Not recyclable in your yellow bin
✅ Check for soft plastic recycling programs (if available) or use general waste

Soft plastics—including shopping bags, chip packets, and cling wrap—are the #1 cause of contamination in Australian recycling bins. Even though they’re plastic, they jam sorting machines, making recycling less efficient.

What to do instead: While REDcycle is currently paused, some supermarkets and councils are trialing new soft plastics programs. If no options exist, put soft plastics in the general waste bin.

2. Takeaway Coffee Cups + Lids

🚫 Not recyclable in the yellow bin
✅ Instead, use specialty recycling programs or dispose of in general waste

Coffee cups have a plastic lining (either traditional or bioplastic), which prevents the cardboard from being separated and recycled through standard programs. Similarly, the lids are often made from polystyrene (#6) or bioplastic that isn't collected in the yellow bin.

What to do instead: If your local program accepts them (e.g., Simply Cups), use a dedicated collection bin. Otherwise, cups and lids belong in general waste. Even better, bring a reusable cup!

3. Compostable & Biodegradable Packaging

🚫 Not for recycling
✅ Put in the green bin (if accepted); otherwise, general waste

Compostable packaging can be confusing. Some items labeled "compostable" look just like plastic, but they can’t be recycled with traditional plastics. If put in recycling, they contaminate the end material and reduce its lifespan - or it gets thrown out.

What to do instead: If there is an organics stream, check if they accept compostable packaging. Otherwise, these items should go in the general waste.

4. Greasy Pizza Boxes

🚫 Not recyclable if dirty
✅ Compost the greasy parts or put in the general waste

Cardboard is highly recyclable, but grease and food scraps ruin the process. Many people toss greasy pizza boxes and used napkins in the yellow bin, not realising they can contaminate clean paper.

What to do instead:

• If clean: Recycle the top of the pizza box.
• If greasy: Compost it (if accepted in your green bin) or put it in general waste.

5. Drinking Glasses & Ceramics

🚫 Not recyclable
✅ Donate if intact; otherwise, put in the general waste

Not all glass is the same. Drinking glasses, Pyrex, ceramics, and mirrors melt at different temperatures than bottle glass and therefore can't be recycled in your glass bin.

What to do instead: If the item is unbroken, donate it. If broken, wrap it carefully and place it in general waste—never in recycling.

6. Polystyrene Foam (Styrofoam)

🚫 Not recyclable in most areas
✅ Drop off at specialty recycling or put in the general waste

Foam packaging (from appliances, takeout containers, etc.) crumbles into tiny pieces, making it difficult to recycle. Many people mistakenly put it in their yellow bin, but most Australian councils do not accept it.

What to do instead: Some waste transfer stations accept clean foam for recycling. If that’s not available, place it in the general waste.