Recycling: a back-to-basics guide for using your kerbside bin

Posted on: October 16, 2024

Did you know that for Western Australians to recycle more, we first need to start recycling better? Start by making sure you aren’t placing the wrong items in your kerbside recycling bin. And, even if you think you know right from wrong, we’re going to encourage you to get back to basics!

WA’s Recycling Rules

Residents rejoice! Western Australia’s recycling rules changed for the better in recent years. Today, there is a consistent set of state-wide guidelines, meaning from Yanchep to Mandurah, Albany to Karratha, if you have a yellow-lidded kerbside recycling bin, the same things go in.

But before we get to the ‘items’ themselves, there are three important things to remember when it comes to putting items in your recycling bin:

  1. Keep items loose, never in bags or boxes
  2. Rinse them to ensure they are free from food
  3. Remove lids from your plastic and glass items
lady placing an egg carton in a recycling bin
The rules for recycling are the same wherever you live in Western Australia. Always ensure items are clean, that lids are off and that you are placing them in the bin loose.

What You Should Be Putting in Your Recycling Bin

Recycling is simple when you remember the five: paper, cardboard, cans, plastic and glass. To break it down a little further, here’s a simple list of what can go in your kerbside recycling bin.

It can also be helpful to remember that if in doubt it’s best to check with your local government or regional council.

Item Extra Notes
newspaper paper envelope Paper Clean, flat (not scrunched), not shredded
cardboard box Please enter an image description. Cardboard (including cereal boxes and cartons)  Flattened

Cartons with silver lining, like most UHT milk containers, must go in the general waste bin
can  drink can Metal (steel and aluminium) cans and tins

Empty and rinsed

Metal lids from jars can also go in your recycling bin

Juice bottle   water bottle   sauce bottle spray bottle  yoghurt container 

 Plastic bottles and containers Empty, rinsed, lids off
milk bottle glass jar sauce jar Glass jars and bottles

Empty, rinsed, lids off

Small amounts of broken glass can also go in.

For a more in-depth list of common household items (and which bin you should be placing them in) check out Recycle Right’s A-Z list.

More Ways to Become an Even Better Recycler

So, now that you’ve got the basics under control, here are some more tips to help make you a recycling expert.

lady placing recylable container in the bin
From prioritising packaging that’s easy to recycle to setting up separate collection points at home, there are plenty of ways to up your recycling game.

Start thinking about recycling when you shop – be mindful about where your food and drink packaging goes after you’ve finished and shake up your shopping habits by prioritising containers that CAN go in your kerbside recycling bin.

Master which bin you should be putting takeaway packaging in – takeaway packaging (think coffee cups, straws and cups) are common recycling bin offenders. We’ve put together a whole article on takeaway packaging to help decode which bin you should be putting these items into.

Join our online community – we’re regularly sharing tips and advice on Facebook and Instagram as well as asking questions. Why not give us a follow and in return we’ll give you inspiration?

Remember - not all plastics are the same

As a general rule, plastic bottles and containers are ok to put in your recycling bin. 

Think ice-cream containers, fresh produce punnets, milk bottles and other beverage bottles. Remember, in Perth we take plastic lids off and put them in the general waste bin. 

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