As an environmentally conscious member of the human race, you want to do what is right at all times. This probably (hopefully) includes reducing your environmental footprint by making responsible choices and actions with your household consumer produce. We are here to help you make sense of what seems like a very confusing topic and to answer some key questions.

Is packaging necessary?

• Yes, in many cases. It protects products and extends shelf life. Some products like oranges and avos do not need to be packaged, as nature has done that for us, but packaging can help to keep these items together for us. Our advice; take you own refillable packaging and buy loose products wherever possible.

Is plastic necessary?

• Yes, in many cases. It often has the lowest carbon footprint, when compared with glass, metal and even paper. It is often the most suitable or only option because it is lightweight, durable, waterproof, airtight, transparent, etc. The main drawback of plastic is what happens with it when we are done using it, because it makes for really nasty environmental pollution and litter.

How do I make the most sustainable purchasing decisions?

• Your power to make positive change starts when you make a purchasing decision. Before buying any product, you should check to see if that product is contained in “Recyclable” packaging. You should also consider if the packaging contains any recycled plastics.

How do I know if an item is Recyclable?

• On-Pack Recycling Labels (OPRLs) are the best method for brands to communicate recyclability to customers. You should check this before buying and when you are ready to sort your recyclables from your waste. Here are some examples of OPRLs so that you can recognise them easily in future:

What about that little triangle with a number in it?

• The little triangle or chasing arrows with a number in it is called the “Material Identification Code” (MIC) or “Polymer Identification Code”. This does NOT indicate if it is “Recyclable” or “Not Recyclable”. It is how the product producer communicates the material type to the recyclers.
• There are some generalisations made about the recyclability of each polymer, see our How to Identify Plastics page. However it is important to note that there is variability within each polymer group making it hard for a consumer to be able to assess recyclability based on MICs. For example a bottle made from #1 plastic would most often be recyclable, but a tray made from #1 plastic is most often not recyclable. The differences can be in the method of forming the format, additives in the polymer, or contents of the packaging, influencing recyclability.

The key to a successful home recycling program is your storage bin setup. How your recyclables are taken, is how you want your storage system to look. If mixed recyclables in a single bag are collected from your home, then you only need one bin for recyclables. If you are dropping off your recyclables at a recycling centre (Find Recycling Centres Here), you might want more bins for the categories of material being collected by the recycling centre.

The garage or your kitchen is a good place to locate the bins; if storing your bins outside, the lids will need to be covered to secure the contents from pests, wind and rain. Try to use smaller containers, as they will be easier to lift when full. Label recycling bins to ensure materials are separated correctly. Once your system is set up, recycling is easy.

• Cleaning:  If packaging is contaminated with residue which will smell in time, rinse your recyclable packaging before depositing in your recycling bin. This prevents flies and odours, both at home and the recycling station.
• Space Saving: Flatten bottles as they take up less space in bins and trucks; they’re also easier to crush and process.
• Lids: Keep the caps on so that they don’t become lost or become litter!! They are easily separated from the bottles during the recycling process.