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Recycle Waste and Save the Planet

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Why is recycling important?

Recycle waste and save is our mantra, because increased recycling saves both money and the environment. Most of us live in capitalist economies, where people are encouraged to consume, consume and then consume some more!

For those of us who want to save money, the environment and to limit thoughtless consumption, one solution is to recycle!

What can I put in my recycle bin?

This will differ according to where you live and how sophisticated recycling services are in your area. You can work out what can go in your recycle bin by visiting the website of your local Council or using this useful app.

Recycling in Australia

Many rubbish dumps, refuse centres or tips as they are sometimes known, have recycling facilities. In concert with this many also have a resource recovery or buyback shops. These buyback shops can be a great opportunity to purchase something you need for a mere fraction of what it would otherwise cost (and recycle waste).

Giving real meaning to the phrase “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure”, these dump shops are a great place to go for something you need, or even just to visit looking for bargains.

Recycle Waste Services

More and more countries are now introducing recycling vending machines. Consequently, this means you can return your rubbish via a vending machine. Indeed you may even receive 10 cents per container you place in the machine.

So, you simply feed in as many old cans, bottles or other containers (as are accepted by the machine) and at the end you will get a docket and verification of your payment. Look out for any container vending machines that are recycling waste in your jurisdiction.

recycle waste with container vending machines
Recycle Waste with Container Vending Machines

Recycling Examples

Repurposing is simply about giving an old item a new life with another purpose. So here are some examples.

Time needed: 4 minutes

How to repurpose at home

  1. Old garbage bins

    Old garbage bins (with missing wheels or a broken lid) can be re-purposed as a compost bin.recycle old garbage bin

  2. Old jars or containers

    Re-use old jars as containers for household items.recycle old jars

  3. Old teapot

    Use an old teapot or similar items as a flower pot. Indeed the result can look unique and attractive. So it is a clever way to recycle waste. An old teapot holding flowers

  4. A pot by any other name

    I was going to buy a pot for some herbs I wanted to grow on my patio. However, the pot I wanted was $120. So I ended up buying an old washing tub from the dump for $10.

    With a coat of paint, it looked fine. Even better, it makes an interesting story to tell people. It is so easy to recycle waste.

  5. Old toilet rolls label cords

    If your office has ever looked like mine, you will have had frustration at not knowing what all those cords are for. So I was delighted when I found out old toilet rolls could be used for labelling cords in such a clever way.recycle waste toilet rolls

These are just some of the ideas we have come across. Why not come up with your own ideas to recycle waste and save?

Before anything is thrown out, think about how else it could possibly be used. As a result you will be saving money but even more importantly, you will be saving the planet.

Australia Recycling Bins

Australia has a comprehensive recycling system that utilises different colored bins to separate waste types, making it easier for households and businesses to dispose of recyclable materials responsibly.

These bins are part of Australia’s broader waste management strategy aimed at reducing landfill use and increasing recycling rates. However, the exact color coding can vary slightly depending on the local council, but there are general standards across the country.

Common Recycling Bin Colours in Australia:

1. Yellow Lid Bin:

  • Purpose: Recycling of mixed recyclables.
  • What Goes In: Paper, cardboard, glass bottles, metal cans, and hard plastics.
  • What Stays Out: Soft plastics (like plastic bags), food waste, textiles, and electronic waste.

2. Red Lid Bin:

  • Purpose: General waste.
  • What Goes In: Non-recyclable household waste, such as food scraps, non-recyclable packaging, and broken ceramics.
  • What Stays Out: Recyclable items and green waste.

3. Green Lid Bin:

  • Purpose: Organic and garden waste (used in areas that offer green waste collection).
  • What Goes In: Garden clippings, leaves, branches, and sometimes food waste (depending on local council guidelines).
  • What Stays Out: Plastic bags, pet waste, and other non-organic materials.

While the colours are generally standard across most of Australia, local councils may have slight variations or offer additional bins for specialised recycling programs. It’s always best to check with your local council to confirm specific guidelines.

Recycling Waste Management


Recycling waste management plays a critical role in reducing environmental pollution, conserving natural resources, and promoting sustainable development. Here’s an overview of the key components and best practices in recycling waste management:

  1. Waste Segregation:
    • Encourage individuals and households to separate recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals from non-recyclable waste.
    • Provide separate bins or containers for different types of recyclables to facilitate waste segregation at the source.
  2. Collection and Transportation:
    • Establish efficient collection and transportation systems to collect recyclable materials from households, businesses, and public spaces.
    • Use designated collection points, curbside pickup services, or drop-off centers to collect recyclables and transport them to recycling facilities.
  3. Recycling Facilities:
    • Invest in recycling facilities equipped with advanced technology and machinery for sorting, processing, and recycling different types of materials.
    • Ensure that recycling facilities adhere to environmental regulations and best practices for waste management, including waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
  4. Material Recovery and Processing:
    • Sort recyclable materials into different categories based on their composition and properties, such as paper, plastics, metals, and glass.
    • Use mechanical and automated processes, such as shredding, crushing, melting, and purifying, to recover and process recyclable materials into raw materials or products for reuse.
  5. Market Development:
    • Develop markets and demand for recycled materials by promoting the use of recycled products and supporting industries that utilize recycled materials in their manufacturing processes.
    • Collaborate with businesses, industries, and government agencies to create incentives and policies that encourage the use of recycled materials and support a circular economy.
  6. Education and Outreach:
    • Educate and raise awareness among the public about the importance of recycling, waste reduction, and sustainable consumption habits.
    • Provide information and resources on how to properly recycle different types of materials, reduce contamination, and minimize waste generation.
  7. Partnerships and Collaboration:
    • Foster partnerships and collaboration among government agencies, businesses, non-profit organisations, and community groups to promote recycling initiatives and support waste management programs.
    • Engage stakeholders in the design, implementation, and evaluation of recycling waste management strategies to ensure inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.
  8. Continuous Improvement:
    • Monitor and evaluate recycling waste management programs regularly to assess their effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and adjust strategies as needed.
    • Invest in research and innovation to develop new technologies, materials, and processes for improving recycling efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impacts.

By implementing comprehensive recycling waste management strategies that prioritise waste segregation, collection, processing, market development, education, and collaboration, communities can achieve significant reductions in waste generation, promote resource conservation, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

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