Your top recycling questions answered

No matter if you use a recycling chute or place items directly into the yellow lid bins, these answers apply to everyone who lives in the City of Sydney's area.

We want to reduce what goes to landfill and we need your help. When the wrong items end up in the yellow lid bin, they can contaminate or damage sorting equipment, which sends good recycling straight to landfill.

Here are the answers to some of the common recycling questions we’re asked.

1. Do I need to rinse containers before recycling them?

There’s no need to rinse them as long as all food and liquid are removed. But rinsing containers can help keep your recycling bin extra clean and odour-free. Whatever you do, as long as the containers are empty and dry, it’s fine to pop them straight in the yellow lid recycling bin.

2. Can tissues, napkins and paper towels go in the yellow lid bin?

Unfortunately not. They’re generally made from recycled materials and the fibres are too short to recycle again. Also, if the paper has been used with oils or liquids, these can contaminate the recycling process. Throw tissues, napkins and paper towels in the red lid bin.

3. What should I do with styrofoam packaging from electronics or furniture?

Even though it has a recycling symbol on it, polystyrene (styrofoam) can’t be recycled in the yellow lid bin. If you’ve just bought a large appliance and have a lot of rigid styrofoam, you can drop it off at Recycle It Saturday, our Ultimo recycling pop-up or book a doorstep recycling collection.

Put bendy or squishy items like foam wrap, foam sheets, packing peanuts and bean bag filling in your red lid bin at home.

4. Can plastic bags go in the yellow lid bin?

Nope! Plastic bags and other soft plastics that can be scrunched don’t belong in your yellow lid bin. They can jam the sorting machines at the recycling plant.

Take them to Woolworths stores trialling soft plastics recycling or put them in your red lid bin.

Keep the yellow lid bin for hard plastics such as water bottles, ice cream containers, fruit punnets and shampoo bottles.

5. What about oily pizza boxes?

Pizza boxes can be recycled in yellow lid bins, even if they have oil or grease stains. Just make sure to finish eating all the pizza. While a little bit of melted cheese is fine, old crusts or leftover slices should go in the red lid bin. If you have a maroon lid food scraps recycling bin, place your leftover food in there.

6. What should I do with small items such as bottle tops and foil?

Small, loose items can clog up the machinery at the recycling facility. Leave lids on bottles whenever you can.

If you have tops that can’t be reattached, such as beer or can tops, put a few inside a tin and squeeze the lid shut. Only put a small amount inside the tin so it doesn’t change the weight too much. You can then place the tin in the recycling bin.

Aluminium foil can be recycled if rolled into a big ball. Remember to remove any leftover food first.

7. Can my cardboard boxes go straight in the recycling bin?

You should break down your boxes because this makes room for other recyclable items in your bin. This is especially important if you live in an apartment and use shared bins.

If you live in an apartment building with a recycling chute, don’t try to jam your cardboard boxes down the chute as this will block it and cause problems. Instead, place broken-down boxes into the yellow lid bins in your main recycling or bin room area.

Every council does things a little differently. It’s important to know what applies in the City of Sydney's local area.

Still have questions? Get recycling help and find out how to recycle or responsibly get rid of common household items.

Your recycling has a big life after the yellow lid bin. Follow the journey of everyday items you recycle and what they’re transformed into.