Learning resources and guidelines

Recycling can be confusing. To reduce the confusion, check out our A to Z Waste Guide for more information.
 

More information on what can go in the yellow lidded recycling bin can be found in here. 

National Recycling Week occurs every November with a range of activities for everyone to be involved - schools, work or even at home.

• Schools can participate in the Recycle Right Challenge

• Run a Friday File Fling at your workplace

• Test your knowledge on recycling with the Recycle Right Quiz

Over 50% of waste generated at home is food or organic waste.

Composting provides a simple solution to reduce organic waste going to landfill, whilst also returning vital nutrients to the soil and improving soil structure and moisture content.

Check out our home compost flyer for a guide on how to start your composting journey.

Home compost flyer(PDF, 8MB)

Worm farming is an easy way to transform food scraps into high quality compost, reducing food waste sent to landfill and reducing associated greenhouse gases.

Check out our worm farming flyer for a guide on how to start your worm farming journey.

Worm Farming Flyer(PDF, 5MB) 

Cut your rubbish in half and reduce your carbon footprint by recycling your food scraps and making your own soil and fertiliser at home.

Get 50 % off a compost bin, worm farm or bokashi bin, plus FREE delivery from Wingecarribee Shire Council by joining the Compost Revolution. Head to the Compost Revolution website for more information.
 

Find out how to reduce the amount of food you throw out - saving money (and the planet) in no time by visiting the Love Food Hate Waste website.

Soft plastics cannot be placed in the kerbside recycling bin as they will get caught up in the recycling machinery and impact the recycling process. There are two specific recycling streams that can be used to recycle soft plastics. 

1. Community Recycling Centre

2. REDcycle collection points

The following steps should be taken when recycling soft plastics through REDcycle:

1. Check the label – if the ARL says ‘Return to Store’ or ‘Store Drop Off’, that means it can be recycled through REDcycle bins

2. Check the location – the nearest REDcycle location can be found on the REDcycle website

3. Make sure your plastics are empty and dry

4. Collect your soft plastics at home. When the bag is full, drop it off at a REDcycle bin next time you are at the supermarket. 

Source: Planet Ark 2021

Soft plastics that are clear, can be dropped off at the Community Recycling Centre for free recycling, including clear plastic bags, clear produce bags, clear pallet wrap, clear bubble wrap and cling wrap and zip lock bags.

Soft plastics are collected by The Flagstaff Group and recycled into new plastic products.

A range of soft plastics can be taken to REDcycle collection points located at local supermarkets, including;

• Bread bags

• Biscuit and confectionary packets

• Cereal box liners

• Fresh fruit and vegetable bags

• Rice and pasta packets and frozen food bags

• Newspaper and magazine wrap

• Unwanted/broken reusable shopping bags (e.g. "Green" bags)

• Single-use plastic shopping bags

For more information on what can be recycled, check out the REDcycle website.

Redcycle Poster(PDF, 2MB)

Local collection points in the Southern Highlands are:

• Coles in Moss Vale

• Woolworths in Bowral

• Woolworths in Mittagong

Look for the special recycling bins at the front of the store

Soft plastics collected through REDcycle are processed and sent to Replas, who recycled soft plastics into a range of outdoor products.

A number of different types of plastics are available to be purchased, however not all are as environmentally friendly as others.

Compostable Plastic

Compostable plastic is made from organic matter, such as a natural plant starch. To break down, they require specific conditions, such as oxygen and microbes to break down the materials to a nutrient-rich compost. This form of ‘plastic’ does not produce any toxic material. 

To ensure plastics meet the Australian compostable standard, look for two labels.

1. Home Compostable AS 5810 (ABAX 9999) - item can be placed in home compost bin

2. Compostable AS 4736 (ABAX 9999) - item cannot be placed in home compost bin, only industrial composting

Biodegradable Plastic

Biodegradable plastic, is a type of plastic made from oil and chemicals. ‘Biodegradable’ does not mean it is compostable, but refers to the material’s ability to decompose or break down by living organisms. Biodegradable labelling does not provide a timeline or conditions for decomposition and products will often break down into micro-plastics. This type of plastic cannot be composted and should be disposed of in the general waste bin (red lid).