SUSTAINABILITY TIP

Why Waste Separation Matters

Green Yakka Team Waste Audit

Green Yakka Team Waste Audit

Getting waste in the right bin might sound simple, but it’s one of the biggest factors in whether materials actually get recycled.

When food waste, soft plastics and recyclables end up mixed together, the entire load can be contaminated – meaning even if most of it is recyclable, it’s all sent to landfill.

Here are the main waste categories to watch for – and how to sort them correctly
  • Food waste and organics – Keep food scraps, coffee grounds and garden clippings out of general waste. Compost at home, or use your council’s green-lid bin where available. Diverting organics prevents methane emissions and creates compost or renewable energy instead.
  • Paper and cardboard – Only clean, dry items belong in recycling. Tear off and recycle the clean sections of greasy or food-stained boxes (like pizza boxes), and place the rest in general waste or organics.
  • Coffee cups – Most takeaway coffee cups have a thin plastic lining and can’t go in standard recycling. Look for cup recycling stations (some cafés and offices now have them), or switch to reusable cups whenever possible.
  • Soft plastics – Never put these in your household recycling bin. Collect them separately and take to dedicated drop-off points or recovery partners. Some councils and businesses also offer commercial collection for soft plastics.
  • Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) items – Bottles and cans can often be returned for a refund or placed in the correct recycling stream. These materials can be recycled again and again with minimal loss of quality.
Getting these basics right improves recycling rates, protects our planet, and helps councils, businesses and households move closer to a zero waste future

“Our waste audits show it’s not uncommon for over half of what’s in general waste bins to be recoverable with the right systems and education.”

Ranjith Kumar Green Yakka Zero Waste Manager

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