Everything you need to know about recycling plastic containers 

Containers & Packaging includes:
Plastic - Bottles

 

Learn more about recycling plastic bottles and containers

How to recycle plastic containers

There are a number of commercial recyclers operating nationally that offer comingled recycling services for recyclable containers and packaging. This service is easily arranged and is generally provided through a wheelie bin placed on site that will be collected by the operator on a regular basis.

You can also use the directory on this page to find a commercial recycling service that accepts large quantities of plastic bottles and containers.

 

Recycling plastic containers in the office

Many kinds of plastic bottles and containers, such as takeaway food containers, can be recycled via workplace recycling bins. Check directly with your waste management service provider if you are unsure what types of plastic containers are accepted in your recycling bin. Below is a general guide.

Plastic bottles:

• Most waste contractors that provide bins to workplaces and offices will accept plastic bottles in recycling bins. This includes plastic bottles used for soft drink, water, juice and milk.
  
  
• All states and territories in Australia except Tasmania have Container Deposit Schemes, which provide a 10c refund for every eligible container returned for recycling. Some workplaces collect eligible containers and recycle them through the scheme to raise money for charity or office supplies and parties. If it is difficult for your workplace to drop off the containers at a refund point, you can organise to have them picked up by ReCollect who will take a portion of the refund.
   

Other types of plastic containers:

• For all other plastic containers, whether it can be recycled in the recycling bin at work depends on a number of factors such as the type of plastic it is made from and its shape or size.
  
  
• Due to this complexity, the Australasian Recycling Label was created to make it as easy as possible for Australians to recycle correctly. Look for the label on the container before you put it in the bin – the label will tell you whether it should go in the recycling or garbage bin.
  
  
• If you can’t see the Australasian Recycling Label on the plastic container, look for the Plastic Identification Code (a number between 1 and 7 inside a triangle) which is generally printed on the bottom of the container. These codes signal to recyclers what type of plastic has been used to make the container. Generally, if the container has the number 1, 2 or 5 printed on it, it is likely to be accepted in the recycling bin.
  
  
• Common plastic containers that are accepted by recyclers include yoghurt containers and tubs, berry punnets and clear takeaway containers that are reasonably clean.
  
  
• Soft plastics that can be easily scrunched in your hand, such as plastic bags and chip packets, should not be put in the recycling bin (unless the recycler has specified that they can accept them).
   

Can plastic lids be recycled?

Please check directly with your waste management service provider for specific advice around recycling plastic lids, as it varies.

In general, we advise the following when recycling plastic bottles:

• Ensure the plastic bottle is empty and crush the bottle if possible. The lid may then be screwed lightly back onto the bottle and placed in the recycling bin (some recyclers prefer the lid to be removed and put in the garbage bin, so it is best to check).
  
  
• Most plastic lids and neck rings are not made from the same type of plastic as the container, but they can be easily separated in many recycling processing facilities. This means you do not need to remove it.
  
  
• Plastic lids on their own (separated from the bottle) are too small for current recycling technology to pick up and sort, so do?not?place them loosely in your recycling bin. Instead, they should be put in your garbage bin.
   

Why recycle?

Recycling plastic bottles and containers is beneficial to the environment in a number of ways.

Reducing material extraction

Plastic bottles and containers are made from natural resources that are extracted from the earth such as crude oil, natural gas and coal. As these resources are finite (a limited amount exists in the world), it is important to avoid purchasing plastic containers, where possible, to reduce the amount of natural resources used to make these products.

Keeping materials is use and reducing energy use

If purchasing plastic bottles and containers is not avoidable, recycling them will ensure the materials are used again to make new products, instead of being wasted in landfill. Recycling also saves energy – recycling one tonne of PET plastic can save more than 2.5 households' energy usage for a year.

Protecting the environment

Recycling helps prevent packaging from polluting the environment and entering water streams where it can be harmful to a number of aquatic species. Most plastic is not biodegradable, so if it is sent to landfill or littered, it could take hundreds of years for it to break down. When the plastic decomposes, it breaks down into tiny pieces called ‘microplastics’, which can be consumed by wildlife.

 

What happens to them?

Comingled recycling bins are collected by the waste management provider and then sorted at a central processing facility. From there, the plastic bottles and containers and other recyclable packaging are processed and turned into raw materials that are used to make all sorts of products, from plush toys to backpacks. Plastic bottles and containers that are recycled are Plastic bottles recycled through Container Deposit Schemes are often turned directly into new bottles and packaging.

 

Tools for businesses

• Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation – learn about Australia's national packaging targets.
• Australasian Recycling Label Marketplace – resources for businesses that use packaging for their products.
• Packaging Impact Calculator – businesses can use this tool to find out how sustainable their packaging is.
   

Cash back for recycling?

All states and territories in Australia except Tasmania have Container Deposit Schemes, which provide a 10c refund for every eligible container returned for recycling. Tasmania will launch its scheme in 2025.

Some workplaces collect eligible containers and recycle them through the schemes to raise money for charity or office supplies and parties. If it is difficult for your workplace to drop off the containers at a refund point, you can organise to have them picked up by ReCollect who will take a portion of the refund.

 

What are Plastic Identification Codes?

A triangle with a number inside (1 to 7) stamped on a plastic container or bottle is called a Plastic Identification Code.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This code identifies the type of plastic used to make the product. It is not a recycling label and it does not mean the item can be recycled. Some types of plastic are harder to recycle than others, so this information is very important to recyclers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

People often confuse the Plastic Identification Code for the global recycling symbol (Mobius Loop), which looks like three chasing arrows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you microwave plastic containers?

Microwaving plastic containers should always be avoided, especially if you are heating food. Heating up plastics such as takeaway containers and Tupperware may degrade the plastic and leach harmful chemicals such as BPA. Food and liquids can absorb these chemicals which can be harmful to humans when consumed. It is always safer to transfer the food to a glass container or ceramic crockery when microwaving.

What do the recycle numbers mean on plastic containers?

Plastic Identification Codes (numbers 1 to 7 that appear inside a triangle with arrows on most plastic packaging and products) are not recycling labels. The triangle is often confused with the Mobius Loop, which is the global recycling symbol. If a plastic product or packaging has one of these codes on it, it doesn’t mean it can be put in your recycling bin.
 
Plastic Identification Codes are used to communicate what type of plastic has been used to make the product or packaging. You shouldn't use them to judge the recyclability of an item, but they can be helpful if you need to know what type of plastic has been used to make a product. Some types of plastic are harder to recycle than others, so this information is very important to recyclers.

Are takeaway plastic containers recyclable?

Yes, plastic takeaway containers can be recycled via your household recycling bin. Contact your council to check if they prefer the lids to be attached or separated when recycling.

Food scraps and grease should be removed from containers before recycling as this will improve the quality of the materials they are recycled into. It is not necessary to thoroughly wash the containers as they will be cleaned when they reach the recycling facility. Washing containers at home is an unnecessary waste of water.

Are plastic water bottles safe to reuse?

Yes, disposable plastic water bottles are safe to reuse for a short period of time. Disposable plastic bottles should never be washed in hot water or a dishwasher as this can release harmful chemicals that can leach into the liquids. It is best to keep plastic bottles out of the heat and recycle them once they have been reused a few times. Do not reuse a plastic bottle if it is showing signs of wear and degradation.

How long does it take a plastic bottle to decompose?

Plastic bottles will decompose at different rates based on the environmental factors they are exposed to. While plastic bottles are designed to be used briefly before being thrown away, if the plastic bottle is littered or enters the environment, it could take 450 years to decompose (source: WWF). When the plastic decomposes, it breaks down into tiny pieces called ‘microplastics’, which can be consumed by wildlife.

What can plastic bottles be recycled into?

Plastic bottles that are recycled are turned into raw materials that are used to make all sorts of products, from plush toys to backpacks. Plastic bottles recycled through Container Deposit Schemes are often turned directly into new bottles and packaging.

How much do plastic water bottles contribute to pollution?

Despite being readily recyclable, many plastic bottles are still being incorrectly disposed of (and ending up in landfill) and, in some cases, ending up as litter on land and in our waterways.
 
A report by Sustainability Australia suggests that, in Australia, 53% of plastic bottles end up in landfill, with 12% ending up as pollution in the environment. 
 
Plastic bottles sent to landfill take hundreds of years to break down and, if they end up in our waterways, they may be ingested by wildlife. Plastic breaks down into microplastics, which can be transported via waterways and enter food chains. The breakdown of plastic may also release dangerous chemicals into soil and waterways.

How many plastic bottles are made each year?

It has been estimated that, globally, one million plastic bottles are sold every minute – that’s 525.6 billion plastic bottles every year!
 
Plastic production and consumption, including demand for single-use plastic bottles, continues to increase dramatically. However, if we are to reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with plastic bottles, we must reduce our reliance on them and use reusable alternatives where possible. If using single-use plastic bottles is unavoidable, we must ensure they are disposed of responsibly by placing them in a recycling bin so the materials can be used again.

How much do you get paid for recycling plastic bottles?

Plastic bottles that are returned via Container Deposit Schemes will receive a 10c refund per eligible bottle. Find out more about Container Deposit Schemes in your area.