Recycling...everyone wants to do it but sometimes it can be overwhelming. Hopefully these tips can help you recycle just that little bit better! The most obvious thing to do when throwing out packages is to look for the recycling symbol. All cardboard and paper can be recycled. Pretty much all tins, bottles, fruit trays, jars and boxes (as well as countless other things) can be recycled but just make sure if there is food/liquid inside that you dispose of it in the bin/drain before recycling. If something is particularly sticky or dirty, give it a quick rinse before putting it in the recycling. It doesn't have to be squeaky clean. The lid of tins may be recycled if you place the lid inside of an empty tin and CAREFULLY squeeze the sides in (I stress that you do this carefully as I have cut myself on the top of the tin before). You could do this by stepping on it while wearing closed shoes. Items that are smaller than a credit card cannot be recycled in your recycling bin eg bottle tops and bread tags. More on what to do with them later. Remember that plastic bags are not recyclable so don't put your recyclables in them! Instead you can simply put them in your bin loose. Note: When recycling foil, scrunch it up in a ball, combine with other foils until it is a tennis ball size. Soft Plastics can be recycled at most Coles and Woolworths stores as well as in some community spots eg local community centre. Some plastics will have a REDcycle sign on it which means you can recycle at these places but many recycle plastics do not have this sign. The most basic rule is, if it can be scrunched up (doesn't matter if it stays scrunched), it can be recycled! Common items you will find are plastic wrap, herb/flower sleeves, postage packages, bubble wrap, cookie wrappers and food packaging. You can also recycle plastics that are silver lined eg chip packets and the silver bag inside the cracker box. To keep things nice and tidy, I like to keep a plastic bag (shopping bag or a large plastic packaging from something I have purchased) next to the kitchen bin and once it's full, I tie up the top and take it with me when I do my next grocery shopping. The plastic recycling drop off is usually at the front of the store but if you can't find it, ask a shop assistant.
Batteries can be recycled at most Aldi stores. There is usually a drop off bin at the front of the store. They accept both rechargeable and non-rechargeable AA, AAA, C, D and 9V sized batteries.
Bottle tops and bread tags can be recycled through various charities. Sometimes your local school/community centre has a drop off for them. Check out these links for more information: https://ozbreadtagsforwheelchairs.org.au/ https://www.facebook.com/Lids4KidsAU/
The ACT government has some great guidelines on other recyclables. Please keep in mind that each State/Territory may have slightly different recycling systems so check your local government website. https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/recyclopaedia More information on the REDcycle program: https://www.redcycle.net.au/what-to-redcycle/