Helping the environment can seem like a daunting task, but even the tiniest actions can make a difference. Here are 3 small changes that will make a real difference.
When we talk about ‘bin tagging’ we’re not talking about graffiti – we’re talking about local councils helping residents to get it right when recycling!
Charities can only resell donated clothes that are clean and in good condition. So, what do you do with them if they're not?
A life without soft plastic packaging may seem a bit daunting, but there are some simple things you can do to reduce the amount you use (especially since they can no longer be recycled).
If you think your recycling efforts aren’t having much of an impact, have we got news for you! Here are a few facts about how small efforts can make a big difference.
By choosing to reuse/repurpose, we can reduce waste and discover the joy and satisfaction that comes from giving the old a new lease on life. So, grab that bag of shredded paper you thought was destined for the bin, and let’s look at different ways to reuse stuff!
Although digital x-rays are the norm these days, you might still have some of those old-school x-ray films lying around at home.
By now, we’ve all got a pretty good idea about what can and can’t be recycled in our yellow-lid recycling bin. But did you know that there are some items that should never be put in your general waste bin?
If you're wondering whether your supermarket meat tray packaging can go into your yellow top recycling bin, we're afraid the answer is a resounding 'NO!' So, what can you do instead?
Planning a party? Well, now there’s even more to celebrate! There’s an easy way to recycle latex and foil balloons!
It's a great time to get rid of old toys to make room for any new ones that Santa brought. But no one wants to see Bluey or the guys from Paw Patrol go to landfill! Here's how you can give them a second life, even if they are broken.
If you got a shiny new gadget from Santa, don’t be in a rush to discard your old tech. There are plenty of meaningful ways to repurpose or dispose of it responsibly.
With the explosion of streaming services, you may have lots of old CDs and DVDs cluttering up your house. They are unlikely to make the nostalgic comeback that we have seen with vinyl records, so Here's what you can do with them, rather than sending them to landfill.
If you’re having a bit of a declutter and are planning to donate your pre-loved stuff, here’s a look at some of the op shops around Perth and what they can and can’t accept.
The stores have been full of Christmas decorations since October, but you don’t have to buy new stuff to have a Christmassy house. We have some great ideas to decorate your home for the festive season using things you probably already have!
Did you know that during the festive season in Australia, we go through more than 150,000 kilometres of wrapping paper? That's enough to wrap around the Earth's equator almost four times! And guess what? That doesn't even include birthdays or other special occasions throughout the year. But when it comes to recycling, it's not always straightforward.
Ditch the plastic and check out our easy and creative ideas for plastic-free party bags that will leave kids, parents (and our environment) with a big smile on their face!
Did you know that you shouldn't put books into your kerbside recycling bin? The reason is that books are made from more than just paper – there’s glue involved, along with a plastic coating on some book covers. Even if you tear out the pages for recycling, if they have turned brown or yellow, they are a big no-no. Here's what you can do instead.
It's important to remember that just because a container has a recycling symbol (the three arrows making a triangle) it doesn't mean that it can be recycled! It's very confusing, so here's a quick guide to which cartons can go into the recycling bin.
The rules for the phasing out of single use plastics can be a little confusing, so we have some useful information to help! Stage 1 is now complete, and Stage 2 is well underway!
Glass jars are your zero-waste superheroes! They're non-porous, safe, reduce landfill waste, and can save you money. Plus, they're a breeze to clean and reuse.
We all do our best when it comes to recycling – but there are some common mistakes we all make when it comes to our yellow lid recycling bin. Here are the biggest offenders!
Whether you’re old school and hand wash your dishes - or use a trusty dishwasher – here’s how you can recycle some of your dish care packaging.
Whatever your age, there’s nothing nicer than getting together with friends and family at a party. What’s not so nice can be the number of plastic decorations left over at the end of the celebrations.
Did you know that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish? It's a startling fact, but there's good news too. There are simple things you can do to make a difference, and Plastic Free July is a great way to start!
Did you know that plastic plant pots can’t be recycled through your kerbside yellow top bin? If the answer is ‘No!’ join the club! They are made of a type of plastic that needs specialist recycling, so here’s what you can do with them instead, to keep them out of landfill.
Coffee pods are usually made from a combination of aluminium and plastics. They are convenient and cause less mess to clean up. But the downside is that Australians consume an average of 3 million coffee pods a day, and most of them end up in landfill.
If you have old furniture at home, or just fancy a change – there are ways you can get it out of your house without sending it to landfill.
Single-use plastic bottle lids are too small for recycling sorting machines to cope with, which is why they can’t be recycled in your kerbside bin. As a result, they end up in landfill and our oceans. Read on to find out where you can recycle them instead.
We all do our best when it comes to recycling – but sometimes it can be a bit confusing! Don’t stress - we’ve got a list of what can and can’t be recycled in your kerbside bin, just to make your recycling life a bit easier.
Although soft plastics recycling via supermarkets has been paused, there is still a way to recycle some soft plastic items. This is via TerraCycle and the GLAD Food Care free recycling program.
Each year in Australia, over 140 million pens are sold, contributing approximately 700 tonnes of plastic waste to landfill sites across the country. Here’s what you can do with them instead.
We’re all used to recycling our empty containers these days, but when it comes to the lids, things get a bit more complicated. Here is some information about what you can do with the metal lids from drinks, jars, and bottles.
If you’ve taken a stroll down the supermarket aisles lately, you might have noticed a few changes – there’s less single-use plastic on the shelves. Yay! This is because the Stage 1 plastics ban has finished. Stage 2 is kicking off this year - here's what's happening.
We’re all getting the hang of recycling the usual items such as paper, cardboard, plastic, and glass. But what about those unusual items that can’t go into your kerbside recycling bin, such as tablet blister packs?
What do you do with used cooking oil when you’ve made dinner? We have the do’s and don’ts of disposing of it properly without damaging your home or the environment!
Here’s how you can keep (most of it) it out of landfill.
Fancy a change of pattern or colour for your bedlinen and towels? Or have they just seen better days and just need replacing? Either way, here’s what you can do with them to keep them out of landfill.
Did you know that shredded paper cannot go into your yellow lid recycling bin? It’s too small to be captured by the recycling machinery, and it can contaminate the glass stream. A small amount can go in your compost or FOGO bin (with the bright green lid for organic matter - if your council supplies one).
Over Christmas, Australians will create 50% more waste than the rest of the year. That’s a lot of stuff going to landfill not to mention the money that we are throwing away. Here are some easy ways you can cut down on waste.
Because they are too small for general recycling machines, plastic bread-bag tags are ending up in landfill, causing harm to our native wildlife and wreaking havoc on the marine environment. Thankfully, there are a couple of ways that these can now be recycled.
A life without plastic packaging may seem a bit daunting, but there are some simple things you can do to reduce the amount you use, starting with your food shopping. (Go on, give it a try!)
We throw away vast amounts of stuff – even things that could be easily repaired but we don’t know how. This is where a Repair Café comes in handy – they are a place where you can have things repaired for free and keep them out of landfill. Here’s how it works.
We all seem to have coped with the ban on single use plastic shopping bags when we visit the supermarket. Plastic produce bags are still available for use, (the ones you tear off the roll in the fresh produce section of the supermarket) – but they are next on the list to be banned. Try these easy alternatives instead!
We all know the obvious things such as plastic bottles and takeaway coffee cups are bad for the environment – but what about those things that aren’t so obvious? Here are 6 things that can contain hidden plastic.
Did you get nagged by your kids for sports gear, only for it to be discarded after a couple of months? Or have they just outgrown it? Rather than having it clutter up your home, donate it to a brilliant cause.
We all love a no effort, time saving take away dinner now and again, but what do you do with the containers when you’re finished? Here is a quick guide to which takeaway packaging can be recycled and which can’t.
More and more of us are switching to online shopping and you may have noticed small sachets of silica gel in some of your parcels. They are there to keep moisture at bay and can easily be reused in really cool ways, rather than going to landfill.
Let’s face it, our socks work pretty hard – they are cooped up in shoes all day, put up with smelly feet, bunions and toenails which are too long – not to mention losing their partner in the wash! It’s no wonder they don’t last too long. The good news is old and unwanted socks can be recycled.
We’ve all got one. That drawer or box with a mishmash of cables and connectors that you’re hanging onto ‘just in case’. The items they belonged to are probably long gone, so here’s how you can get them out of your house without sending them to landfill.
Did you know that nail varnish is considered Household Hazardous waste and shouldn’t be disposed of in any of your kerbside bins? No, neither did we! So, we’ve listed more household items that need specialist disposal (and where you can take them).
If your local council provides a three-bin waste system and you’re getting a bit confused about what goes into your FOGO or GO bin, read on!
Australians throw away over 18 million printer cartridges a year, and over 5,000 tonnes of materials end up in landfill. When they break apart, they can contaminate groundwater and the environment. Here’s how to recycle them instead.
Whether you buy sports shoes to run a marathon, walk around the block, or take the dog to the park, when they wear out and you throw them in the bin, they are going to landfill. Here’s what you can do with them instead.
Australians love their coffee, but it comes at a cost (on top of the $5.00 you pay for a takeaway). We can’t recycle the cups in the council recycling bin so over one billion takeaway coffee cups end up in landfill each year – but there is a recycling option.
Tyres. We don’t give them much thought (unless we have a flat one!) and we wouldn’t get far without them (literally). But what happens when they reach the end of their life?
The free electric toothbrush recycling programme with Colgate and Terracycle will end on December 31st 2023. You can still download a free label until then and return your items. We will update the information if the program restarts.
The festive season is a huge generator or rubbish, some of which can be recycled and some which can’t. Here’s how to get your recycling right!
Kids parties have become big business over the years and the amount of plastic produced for decorations, party bags and single use items is getting bigger and bigger. But planning a low-waste kids’ party can be easier than you think.
It’s so easy to recycle your drink containers and donate the cash to a community organisation or cause. Read more to find out how.
One of the biggest offenders when it comes to wasting water is the garden. By making sure you are watering as efficiently as possible, you will reduce water waste and save money on your water bill.
Most of us would be aware that we can now recycle mobile phones. But did you know that you can recycle them via MobileMuster, by post for free? Here’s what you need to do.
Although aerosol cans are made from aluminium, they cannot go into your kerbside recycling bin or general waste bin. So, what can you do with them? Read on.
Every year in Australia, an estimated 100 million disposable razors end up in landfill. So, how can you avoid being part of this massive problem? Read on.
You may have noticed that a lot of places which previously collected plastic lids are no longer accepting them. This is because the business which used to process most of the lids is no longer operating. So, what can you do with them?
Now you can look great – and feel great - by recycling the packaging from your beauty items rather than sending them to landfill. Here’s how.
We all love it when we get the latest shiny new computer or TV with all the bells and whistles. But what do you do with your old ones? Here are some ideas for recycling electronic waste or giving it a second life.
While we can avoid many types of plastic and packaging – it’s more difficult to do this when it comes to caring for our teeth and gums. The good news is that there is now a way to recycle your toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss containers.
If you have expired or unwanted medicines lurking in the back of your cupboards, it is really important to dispose of them correctly. Here’s why and how.
Have you ever wondered why your containers must be clean and empty to be recycled? And exactly how clean do they need to be? We’ve got the answers.
It turns out the skin care industry is not so attractive when it comes to looking after our planet. But thankfully, there are little steps you can take to make your skin care routine more environmentally friendly.
You may think it’s perfectly safe to send food waste to landfill. After all, it will break down, right? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
Light bulbs are one item that every household uses. Some contain hazardous materials, so it’s important they are disposed of responsibly when they reach the end of their life.
Being environmentally responsible can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. The best thing is to start small, so here are 7 simple things you can do to make a difference.
***PLEASE NOTE*** The REDcycle program has been paused temporarily. Please visit redcycle.net.au for more information.
On average people upgrade their glasses every two years. This means the number of discarded spectacles ending up in landfill is growing every year.
Wrapping your head around recycling can be hard. While most of us think that we know what we are doing, research shows that 94% of us are recycling at least one product incorrectly.
Upgrading your electrical appliances? Or maybe you’ll get something new for Christmas. Either way, your old electrical appliances should never go into your general waste bin. Here’s what you do with them instead
With all the waste, Christmas isn't great for the environment. But it isn't all doom and gloom. We can all help to reduce the environmental impact of Christmas in small ways, starting with how we package our gifts.
When you see a bargain $5 T-shirt, it might seem like a great buy, but there is a greater cost that you can’t see.
With the end of the school term looming, your kids will probably come home with a bag full of left-over stationery. Some of it will be unused and some only partially used, but the good news is, these items can help kids who sometimes miss out.
It’s easy to assume that plastic labelled ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’ will be better for the environment, but that isn’t necessarily so.
Recycling facilities in Western Australia use a combination of magnets, blowers, tumblers and grids to separate the types of recycling. You can help them by making sure you are recycling correctly.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of your environmental impact – why not try to make improvements one room at a time. Here’s how you can make a difference with 12 easy changes in your bathroom
Containers for Change is a new state-wide container deposit scheme that lets you cash ineligible drink containers for 10 cents each. Here's what you need to know.
Up to 50% of the contents of a household’s general waste bin is organic material such as food scraps. If this is composted instead, it will reduce landfill and decrease greenhouse emissions. There are three main types of composting systems.
The average family uses 24 rolls of plastic wrap a year, and unless you recycle with a specialist recycler (such as REDcycle), it will end up in landfill. A much easier way is to make your own beeswax wraps and ditch the plastic wrap for good.
Reducing your environmental impact may seem like a huge task, but you can start small. Here are 6 simple switches you can make when shopping at the supermarket to reduce your environmental impact.
If you’ve been doing a bit of online shopping lately, your items might have arrived packed in polystyrene to prevent damage. That’s great for your shopping, but not for the environment. Polystyrene products can’t be put into your kerbside recycling bin, but there is a way you can dispose of some polystyrene products.
Old mobile phones do not belong in your kerbside bins!
Decluttering your home may seem a little overwhelming if you’ve got lots of stuff. But there are some simple tips to work through it without it all becoming too stressful.
Australians throw away around 7.3 million litres of unwanted paint every year. Household paint is classed as Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and must never be poured down the drain or put into any of your kerbside waste bins.
You may have seen Buy Nothing groups popping up on Facebook. They are a way to reduce waste and recycle items that you don’t need anymore, by giving them to someone in your local community who would find them useful.
If used household batteries are disposed of in kerbside bins, they go straight to landfill. Over time, the chemicals can leach into surrounding soil or waterways, which is terrible for our environment. Luckily, there are ways you can easily recycle your household batteries.
Still confused about what goes into your yellow top recycling bin? Here’s a simple guide.
****Please Note**** The soft plastics recycling programme via REDcycle has been paused. Please visit redcycle.net.au for further information
Did you know that food waste makes up 35% of the average Australian household bin? That’s a lot of food ending up in landfill and a lot of your budget wasted. Here are some simple things you can do to make your food last longer and reduce your contribution to landfill!
It’s great if you’re recycling your plastic rubbish correctly, but the best way of helping our environment is to avoid buying products with plastic packaging in the first place.