Recycling on Redlands Coast
Thank you, Redlands Coast for getting it sorted
This year we’ve all been working to improve our recycling habits through the Let’s Get it Sorted education and bin checking program. This initiative has helped our community reduce waste and recycle more effectively thanks to funding support from the Queensland State Government.
How have we scored?
Recycling educators have now visited all suburbs across the city and checked recycling bins from 26,075 households 1 to 3 times.
We’ve seen a significant shift in some suburbs with the top increases in zero contamination achieved in Thorneside with 15% improvement and Macleay with 14% improvement across three bin checks.
The top decreases in gross contamination were found in Dunwich and Mt Cotton, both seeing a 5% decrease across three bin checks.
Here’s how we’ve scored as a city on average throughout the program (at 30 September 2025):
- 65% Zero contamination, 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 20% Low contamination, 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 8% Medium contamination, 3 stars ⭐⭐⭐
- 4% High contamination, 2 stars ⭐⭐
- 3% Gross contamination, 1 star ⭐
Congratulations to our 5-star recyclers and all the improvements which have been made following bin checks. You’re making a positive impact on our recycling efforts as a city.
The most common contaminants seen in recycling bins are soft plastics (packets, wrappers and bags), and bagged waste or recycling contained in plastic or paper bags, or containers.
Watch out for items made from plastic and paper which are non-recyclable such as children’s toys, Tupperware containers, paper towel and tissues.
Those with higher contamination and full bins will benefit from a recycling bin upsize to help keep recyclables out of landfill.
These results were last updated 29 October 2025
Keep up the great work
Stay up to date with your recycling knowledge. Search all types of items and find further recycling and disposal options available with the Recycle Mate app.
What goes in your recycling bin?
- Glass bottles and jars (empty)
Empty beverage and oil bottles, jam and sauce jars
Tip: Keep lids on
- Paper and cardboard (flattened)
Printed paper, magazines, egg cartons, toilet rolls, cereal boxes, pizza boxes, juice and milk cartons, wrapping paper, newspapers, flattened cardboard boxes
- Hard plastic containers
Empty milk and juice bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles, detergent and soap bottles, ice cream and yoghurt tubs, fruit punnets
Tip: Keep lids on
- Steel (empty)
Canned food tins and pet food tins
- Aluminium
Drink cans, empty aerosols, pie trays, foil scrunched in a ball
For a comprehensive list of items, see the A-Z of waste and recycling.
What can’t go in your recycling bin
These contaminants can cause damage and safety risks in the collection and sorting process.
IMPORTANT: Gas bottles, batteries, paint, oil, EPIRBS, flares, chemicals, asbestos and ash should not be placed in any bin. Check the hazardous waste webpage for further details.
- Bagged recyclables/waste
Empty recyclables loose in your recycling bin. Plastic and paper bags aren't emptied through the sorting process.
- Soft plastics (packets, wrappers, bags)
Place in your general waste bin or recycle through speciality programs. Search Recycle Mate for options.
- Rigid plastics (laundry baskets, plastic tubs, Tupperware, plastic toys, coat hangers)
Place broken items in your general waste bin.
- Food or garden waste
Use a home compost or worm farm, a green bin for garden waste or take garden waste to a Recycling and Waste Centre.
- Clothes and textiles
Place unwearable items in your general waste bin or donate reusable items to charity.
- Electronic and electrical items (e-waste)
Take to a Recycling and Waste Centre.
- Glassware (broken wine glasses, window glass, mirrors)
Place in your general waste bin.
Tips for getting it sorted
- Set up a separate container for recyclables in your kitchen
- Make sure items are empty
- Keep your recycling loose (don’t bag your recycling)
- Order a larger recycling bin if you need more space for a one-off $30 fee.
Recycle More
Let’s keep recycling out of landfill
Keeping recycling out of landfill and reducing contamination in recycling bins is an important step in how we manage our waste as we head towards a zero waste future.
Recent waste audits have shown we can divert around 16 per cent, 6,300 tonnes of recycling from the red-lid bin to the yellow-lid bin. At the same time, we can also reduce the 15 per cent, 1,300 tonnes in the yellow-lid bin that should go in the red-lid bin. It’s clear that improving our recycling habits is a crucial step towards reducing landfill waste and managing costs.
Meet our recycling truck driver, Beau, and learn about his day and why keeping recyclables out of landfill is important.
Let’s Get it Sorted Partnership Program Bin Checks
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What are bin checks?
Checking bins is a common way to see if only acceptable items are going in the recycling bin. Contracted educators have checked some recycling bins when placed on the kerbside prior to the truck driver emptying the bin. The educators placed a tag on recycling bins with a star rating on the household's recycling. The tag provided information about any items that shouldn’t be placed in the recycling bin. Bin checks are only for educational purposes, there are no fines and services continue as usual. You can keep your recycling tag as a handy recycling reference.
Please note: As part of regular bin collections, if a truck driver sees hazardous waste in your bin, for safety reasons it won’t be collected until the items are removed.
What is contamination?
Contamination in recycling bins occurs when non-recyclable materials, such as plastic bags, food waste, or electronic items which cannot be processed by kerbside recycling facilities, are placed in the recycling bin. These contaminants can disrupt the recycling process and make it harder for recyclables to be reused.
What's wrong with recycling in paper bags?
Recycling that’s contained, even in a paper bag, can’t be guaranteed to be emptied through the collection and sorting process. Bags aren’t opened, sending recycling efforts to waste. Using a paper bag is a handy way to collect your recyclables. Empty your recyclables loose into the yellow-lid bin and pop the bag in separately.
Why should I care about what goes in my recycling bin?
Getting our recycling right helps to conserve resources, reduce waste sent to landfill, and ensure that materials can be remade into new products. By following the recycling guidelines, you're helping to protect the environment and contribute to a sustainable future for Redlands Coast.
What happens to my recycling?
Once your recycling is collected, it’s transported to a recycling facility where it’s sorted into different types of materials, cleaned and processed for remanufacturing. The materials can then be remade into new products, reducing the need for raw materials and helping to conserve natural resources.
What do I do with the items I can’t put in my recycling bin?
Your bin tag will identify any items that can’t go in your recycling bin. Most of these items need to go in your red-lid general waste bin or taken to your local Recycling and Waste Centre, except for some hazardous waste items. Hazardous waste (including batteries, any items containing batteries and gas bottles), can’t go in any bin as these items can cause safety risks including fires in trucks. Find out where to take specific items on the Hazardous waste webpage.
What is hazardous waste and why can’t I put it in my bin?
Hazardous waste is any material which can pose a health or safety risk by being placed in a bin and emptied by a truck. This includes electronic waste, batteries, gas bottles, paint, oil, EPIRBS, flares, chemicals, asbestos and ash. These items cause damage and health and safety issues including fires. Find out how to dispose of hazardous waste.
What are the results of the bin checking program?
Households across the city have made a great effort in getting their recycling sorted with feedback on bin tags. Contamination in recycling bins has reduced following bin checks by an average of 7% increase in nil contamination and 2% decrease in gross contamination as at the end of September 2025. Program results will be updated on this webpage as they come in.
Why did you need to check recycling bins?
Checking bins for contamination is a common waste management practice across Australian councils. It’s been proven as an effective way to reduce contamination and improve recycling including reducing recycling lost to landfill and the volume of recycling across the city. Funding support through the Queensland Government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund provided the opportunity to provide direct feedback to households on the contents of their bins through the Let’s Get it Sorted education program.
Will there be any more bin checks?
Bin checks as part of the Let’s Get it Sorted program are now complete for the year. We are evaluating the results of the program which will inform waste and recycling education and initiatives next year.
What was the top contamination found in recycling bins?
Soft plastics (packets, wrappers and bags) and bagged recycling/waste (items in plastic or paper bags or containers) have been the top two contaminants throughout the program.
How can I provide feedback on the bin checking program?
We are interested in hearing about your experience having your recycling bin checked and whether the recycling education was useful to your household. Contact Council to share your experience.
This initiative is supported by the Queensland Government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund