Recycling

Recycling is word used for items that will be re-made into new, useful products, saving energy and resources. Here are some key information about recycling bins.

Bin Colour: Yellow (lid)

Bin Liner: Clear

What can be recycled:

Important: No food or liquid

• 'Empty' coffee cups
• Aluminium cans e.g. soft drink cans
• Steel cans e.g. tuna tin
• Cartons e.g. milk and juice cartons
• Glass bottles
• Plastic bottles
• Hard plastic containers (no plastic or foil wrappers)
• Aerosols
• Paper and cardboard

Avoid Waste:

• Look for goods with little or no packaging
• Bring lunches to Uni in reusable containers
• Get yourself a KeepCup for take-away coffees
• Ask suppliers to take away packaging
• Avoid single-use items and over-packaged items
• Reuse items before throwing away if you can

Ordering a bin: Call Campus Services - 8303 4008

Signage: If you would like signage for your bin please contact Libby.

Thanks to Zero Waste SA for providing signage images. See the Zero Waste SA website for more information.

Like more information? Please contact Ecoversity.

What is made from our recycled items?

Many plastics are recovered and recycled. The majority of plastics recovered in 2008-2009 was PET plastic (e.g. soft drink bottles), 37.7% of all recycled plastics.

Plastic recycling market is highly competitive. Post-consumer Australian plastic materials are converted to wide range of useful products here, and overseas.

These are just some products that are made from our recycled plastics:

• Geotextiles (permeable fabrics used in landscaping)
• Crates, pallets and boxes
• Water tanks, garden hoses and pipes
• Floor coverings
• Electrical conduit
• Shoes and clothing
• Garbage bags and retail carry bags
• Timber replacement garden furniture
• Plant pots

Recycled aluminium products include:

• Valves and extrusions
• Automotive parts
• Building industry
• New soft drink cans

Recycled cardboard and waxed cardboard products include:

• Packaging
• New cardboard

Recycled cartons (milk and juice containers (LPB - liquid paper board)) are made into copy and writing paper.

Recycled magazines are made into newsprint and packaging.

Recycled phone books are made into newsprint and packaging. Printing and writing paper is remade into new copy paper.

Recycled newsprint products include:

• Packaging
• Cat litter
• Insulation
• Building products
• Dust suppression products
• More newsprint

Recycled glass products include:

• Bottle manufacture
• Reflective beads for road marking

What happens if the wrong items go in the recycling bin?

If the bin is contaminated with food waste, liquids or other non-recyclable materials the entire bin will go to landfill - pretty frustrating for those that have been careful about recycling correctly! If you are unsure - put it in the landfill bin and ask a colleague or Ecoversity for next time.

Thanks to Zero Waste SA for providing this information.