Recycling has changed - Are you recycling right?


Make sure you’re recycling right in three easy steps:  

  1. Get a recycling refresher for your home by requesting a free fridge magnet posted to you or pick one up from our customer service centres.
  2. Read the top recycling mistakes residents in Geelong make every day below – and chat about it with the others in your house.
  3. Check out our searchable Waste & Recycling Guide to find out how to recycle everything from old plastic toys to mattresses.

Geelong's top five recycling mistakes

These common mistakes increase the cost of waste services for everyone in Geelong and mean less of what you put in your bin can be recycled.

1. Recycling in paper or plastic bags

Recycling in plastic or paper bags cannot be sorted because the items are hidden. Always put recycling in your bin loose.

2. Soft plastics

Soft plastics, like bread bags and chip packets, can jam sorting machinery at recycling facilities. Put these in your red rubbish bin.

3. Clothing, shoes and textiles

These can’t be recycled in your recycling bin. Check our Waste & Recycling Guide for recycling options, or put them in your rubbish bin.

4. Tissues and paper towels

Tissues and paper towels cannot be recycled as they are made of very short fibres that are not high enough quality. Put these in the red rubbish bin.

5. Batteries and electronics

Batteries and e-waste cause fires in trucks.Bring your batteries with you to drop off at Aldi, Coles or Woolies supermarkets. Check our Waste & Recycling Guide for more.

If in doubt, keep it out of your recycling bin to avoid contaminating the rest of your recycling.

Discover more of your waste services or report an issue at www.geelongaustralia.com.au/waste

This campaign is supported by Sustainability Victoria.

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