Are You Recycling Right?

Published on 06 March 2025

You may notice a sticker on your yellow-lidded recycling bin if there are items that do not belong. This is just a friendly reminder to help our residents ensure everything is sorted correctly.

Here are the three most common items mistakenly placed in yellow-lidded recycling bins and why they shouldn’t be there: 

1. Soft Plastics 
2. Clothing 
3. Bagged Recycling 

The machinery in the recycling facility can easily sort plastic bottles, cans, glass jars and paper. However, soft plastics and fabric can tangle the machinery and can pose serious safety hazards. But don’t worry – there are simple alternatives to help protect the environment and keep our system running smoothly! 

What you can do instead:  

• Soft Plastics: Collect all your soft plastics and book a free RecycleSmart collection.
• Clothing: Donate your pre-loved clothing and accessories in good, clean condition to one of 30+ clothing bins available across the City of Ryde, for reuse and recycling. 
• Bagged Recycling: Always place your recyclable items in the bin loose - never in bags. 

Not sure how to recycle or dispose of something? Check out our A to Z Guide of Waste and Recycling for answers. You can also order free waste education resources for your home online. 

Let’s work together to keep our community clean and sustainable. Every small effort makes a big difference!