5 Ways to Improve Your Recycling Game!
Recycling is a key component towards a sustainable and circular future.
By giving materials another life, we reduce carbon emissions, conserve Earth’s natural resources, and protect our environment—bringing us closer to a truly circular economy. A concept of continuously reusing and recycling waste to make new products.
Manufacturing our PET bottle from 100% recycled plastic generates 40% fewer carbon emissions compared to manufacturing a new bottle from virgin materials.
Benefits like these are why it’s so important that we’re recycling right every day.
Here are 5 ways to help you up your recycling game!
1. IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT
You might have done this without even realizing it.
“Wish-cycling” refers to placing items in the recycling bin with the hope they can be recycled, even if you’re not certain they’re actually recyclable.
Just 5% contamination in your recycling bin can result in the entire load being sent to landfill, undoing all of your recycling efforts.
So, if you’re ever unsure whether something can be recycled, it’s better to place it in the rubbish bin instead.
2. CHECK THE ARL TO AVOID RECYCLING CONFUSION
The Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) was developed to provide clear, evidence-based guidance on how to properly dispose of packaging.
Always check for the ARL when disposing of packaging to avoid confusion and wish-cycling. If there’s no ARL or other recycling information and your still unsure if its recyclable then best to place the item in the rubbish bin.
All Nu-Pure bottles and cases feature the ARL logo, ensuring our consumers know how to recycle them correctly.
3. UPCYCLE YOUR WASTE
Before recycling your waste consider upcycling it! This is the process of reusing waste by converting it into a new product that maintains its usefulness and offers an even better sustainable outcome than going straight to recycling.
Got an old tyre? Try turning it into a rustic planter.
Empty coffee tin? Use it to store all your arts and craft supplies!
When it comes to upcycling your waste, the only limit is your imagination.
4. KEEP COMPOSTABLES AND RECYCLABLES SEPARATE
If your packaging features one of the logos above, it is Certified Compostable Packaging, which is a great way to manage waste that can’t be recycled. However, for it to be composted it must be disposed of correctly.
Compostable packaging is not kerbside recyclable and should not be placed in your commingled recycling bin, as it will contaminate the recycling stream.
Instead, compostable packaging should be placed in a home compost bin (if Home Compostable) or your Green FOGO bin (if Industrially Compostable). This way the packaging will actually be composted into valuable soil nutrients
5. HELP CLOSE THE LOOP ON RECYCLING
Recycling is only effective if the recycled material is used to create new products.
By recycling and supporting products made from recycled materials, you actively support the circular economy and help close the loop on waste.
In fact, when you recycle our 100% recycled PET bottles, you’re already contributing to a circular, sustainable future!
