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What everybody ought to know about recycling

Get your recycling etiquette up to scratch with this handy list

What everybody ought to know about recycling
Have you ever debated about whether you should put a piece of rubbish in the recycling bin? Us too! That's why we've compiled a list of the top 8 things we commonly see in recycling (when they definitely shouldn't be).

1. Copy paper wrap

Buying a ream or two for the home office? Or ordering paletts for the whole workplace? Either way, did you know that the wrap for your copy paper usually contains plastic and isn't recyclable? Make sure yours go to landfill, or switch to paper that has a recyclable wrap such as our New Zealand first, plastic-free copy paper wrap.

2. Biodegradable/Compostable materials

More and more single-use items – such as takeaway coffee cups – are trending towards biodegradable and compostable material. Sadly, these aren't suitable for your recycling bin (or sometimes even your home compost). Compostable packaging requires high temperatures to break down (which most recycling facilities and home composts don't have). Check out WasteMINZ to find our which facilities can process these in New Zealand.

biodegradable cup

3. Soft plastics

Soft plastics, such as single use plastic bags (now banned in New Zealand) should not be put into recycling. They can jam recycling facility machines, causing huge delays and issues. Visit Soft Plastic Recycling to see where you could be putting your soft plastics.

4. Broken glass and non-recyclable glass

Broken glass should not go into your recycling. It's considered a hazard and cannot usually be recycled. Please carefully wrap any broke glass and put it into your landfill instead. (In some parts of New Zealand it can be put in if it's carefully wrapped, please check with your local council if you're not sure.)

Some glass is also not recyclable. Items such as laminated windows or windshields, glassware, china, porcelain or lightbulbs are not recyclable. Read more about glass recycling at Recycle.co.nz.

5. Scrap metal

Scrap metal is not recyclable through your kerbside recycling. However there are many scrap metal recycling companies in New Zealand, some of whom may even pay you for yours. Look for your local scrap metal recyclers online or in your local directory.

6. Dirty recyclables

Items that should be recyclable – such as cans and pizza boxes – become non-recyclable items when they're contaminated. This means a dirty pizza box or an unwashed bean can will not be recycled. In fact, they can cause the entire bin to be sent to the landfill instead. It's worth taking the extra time to wash your containers or cut away dirty, cheese encrusted parts of your pizza box before you put them in your recycling.

recycling dirty pizza boxes

7. Electronic waste

Electronic waste (or e-waste as it's often called) is not recyclable through your kerbside recycling service. Instead, check out TechCollect to drop off items at your local OfficeMax retail store or look up other services in your area where you can drop off or have your e-waste collected.

8. Batteries

Battieries are also not recyclable through kerbside recycling, nor should you put them in your landfill rubbish. Batteries can leak heavy metals and toxic substances, causing water and soil pollution. Currently there is no national battery recycling program, however companies such as UpCycle Battery Recycling offer services which ship batteries to countries that can recover the valuable materials in batteries and recycle them.
 
Recycling can take a little effort, but it's worth it in the long run. Make sure you check with your local council to see exactly what can and can't go into your kerbside recycling. Together we can make a difference!
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