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Fact Sheets
By improving our knowledge of what can be recycled, how valuable resources are recovered and returned back into the circular economy and making changing to our purchasing decisions, we can all contribute to a more positive environmental future.
Take a look at our FACT sheets on recycling of everyday items, or visit our Recycling Tips page, for information how to improve your recycling practices at home and at work.
Batteries
In Australia, about 350 million batteries are purchased every year. Over two thirds of batteries being disposed of are sent to landfill making them the most common form of hazardous waste.
E-waste
Electronic waste can contain toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and brominated fire retardants that are hazardous, difficult to dispose of and potentially damaging to the environment.
Fluorescent Tubes, Lamps & Globes
Australians dispose of approximately 50 to 60 million fluorescent tubes and HID (high indensity discharge) lamps every year, resulting in more than 10,000 tonnes of mercury being sent to our landfills.
Organics
Organic waste includes any animal or plant based material and degradable carbon such as garden organics, food, timber, paper and cardboard. When sent to landfill the organic material undergoes anaerobic decomposition, generating a potent greenhouse gas called methane.
Glass
Glass was discovered by the phoenicians more than 5,000 years ago, which makes it one of the worlds oldest forms of packaging.
Plastic
In Australia, 376,000 tonnes of plastic packaging is used every year. In 2010 we recycled 288,194 tonnes.
Steel and Aluminium
In 2010, Australians recycled only 30.3% of their steel cans and 67.4% of aluminium cans. Many steel cans are still being sent to landfill, despite 93% of Australians having access to kerbside recycling services that accept steel packaging.
Paper and Cardboard
Australian households and businesses use millions of tonnes of paper every year. Over 5.5 million tonnes of paper and cardboard was used from 2006-2007, with 2.5 million tonnes of this recycled.
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