Eco-Warrior’s Recycling Tips For Items You Didn’t Know Were Recyclable

Maree Lowes is an Australian Actress (watched as dirtgirl in dirtgirlworld by families in 128 countries worldwide) and Changemaker for the planet. She has spent the last decade empowering families to write a better story for the next generation. 

Meanwhile, here at home, there are still items in the average Aussie household that leave us wondering where and how to effectively dispose of them. Whilst conscious living has continued to be an important factor in Aussies lives, a quarter (26%) of the nation has admitted to having limited knowledge on recycling and soft plastics recycling, new research from Kellogg’s Australia has shown.  

Maree knows there are so many ways we can reduce, reuse and recycle. But with 7,500 plastic bags still going landfill every minute in Australia, she’s passionate about keeping our resources out of landfill. With National Recycling Week this month, Maree has dug deep into pantries, fridges and cupboards to understand the best sustainable practices to live by, and has provided her tips on understanding the items you didn’t know were recyclable: 

1. Soft Plastics

… Can be super confusing! New research commissioned by the folks at Kellogg’s Australia revealed 85% of the nation aren’t aware that soft plastics – like cereal liners – can be recycled! With so many Aussie families sitting down to a bowl of cereal every morning, this is a place we can change for the better! Soft plastics are the kind that can be scrunched into a ball. And they can actually be turned into low maintenance and durable products that are designed to last – a fact that half the nation (53%) is unaware of as shown through the research.  Let’s spread the word!! 

Other soft plastics we may not realise can be recycled include grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrappers of products such as biscuits, or chips. 

To recycle our soft plastics such as cereal liners or those plastic bags we’ve accrued from our online shopping, we simply take them to a REDcycle drop-off bin at our local Coles or Woolworths. 

2. Coffee capsules

Look, I’ve gotta be honest. I’m not a big fan if coffee pods. But lots of Aussies are. So while the pod coffee machines are still commonplace in kitchens across Australia, let’s talk about the best way we can handle these little pieces of plastic. 

There are actually more than 22,000 collection points throughout Australia in shopping centres, and you can also get a Bulk Recycling Box for your workplace. 

We all love coffee so let’s make sure our cuppa is lovin’ our Earth right back! 

3. Mattresses

I love being comfy – but not at the cost of the planet. I think a lot of Aussies think “landfill” for their used mattresses but the awesome news is that we dispose of our mattress sustainably! A number of mattress recyclers operate in Australia for our old mattress. The bits in our mattresses are resources, too – like wood, springs and foam. They can be recycled into lots of different products and kept out landfill. Find mattress recycling near you.

With 85% of Aussies unsure of the process of recycling soft plastics, my best tip is to stay curious and keep asking questions about new initiatives about how we can reduce, reuse & recycle. Look for brands, like Kelloggs Australia, who want to keep our resources in the cycle and write a better story for you & the next generation!