Recycling is different in each state so if you are unsure whether or not you can recycle or send an item to landfill it’s best to contact your local council.
PETE “R”
Products such as soft-drink bottles and fruit juice bottles.
PET is being collected nationally through kerbside collections and drop-off centres – but only soft-drink bottles and containers with the “R” logo. These are being recycled into detergent bottles, carpet fibre and soft-drink bottles.
HDPE
Products such as milk and cream bottles, detergent bottles and shopping bags.
Many councils are collecting natural HDPE juice, cream and milk bottles at the kerbside. They are being recycled into detergent bottles, crates and pipes. Some councils will also collect coloured HDPE bottles. Safeway and Woolworths supermarkets are collecting their own HDPE shopping bags for recycling.
Vinyl
Products such as fruit juice, cordial, mineral water and oil bottles.
Clear vinyl bottles are collected by many Victorian councils and more councils in other States are adding vinyl to their collections. The bottles are being recycled into long-life stormwater and drainage pipes. Markets are still being developed for coloured vinyl bottles.
LDPE
Products such as food bags, ice cream tub lids, stretch and shrink film (plastic wrap).
LDPE film used by industry is being recycled into builder’s film and garbage bags. Most LDPE used in the home is film. This is difficult to recycle because of contamination with food and inks.
PP
Products such as ice cream tubs, car battery cases, potato chip bags, drinking straws.
Polypropylene car battery cases are being collected from service stations and battery dealers and recycled into compost bins and pipes. Few councils collect polypropylene at the kerbside because the small volume of products and limited markets make it uneconomic at present. Some councils collect ice cream tubs.
Polystyrene
Products such as drinking cups, yogurt tubs, cutlery, boxes.
Trial programs have been established to recycle polystyrene cups use in offices and at public venues. Recycling programs have also started for foam boxes used to transport fruit and vegetables. They are being collected through supermarkets and produce markets. Polystyrene is generally not being collected by councils at the kerbside because of the small volume and limited markets.
Other
Products such as most other types of plastics and those that cannot be identified.
Some councils collect all plastics for recycling into substitute timber and concrete products, such as sign posts, park benches and outdoor furniture.