Recycling on Redlands Coast

On Redlands Coast we recycle our household packaging so it can be remade into new products. 

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.

Waste audits show 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. Learn about his day and why keeping recyclables out of landfill is important.

Let's Keep It Sorted

Households across Redlands Coast made big changes to their recycling in 2025. We achieved:

  • 7% increase in 5-star recyclers with zero contamination
  • 89% of households achieved a 4 or 5-star rating after bin checks
  • Reduction in the top contaminants, soft plastics and bagged recycling 
  • Almost 2% decrease in recyclables lost to landfill

Keep up the great work

✅ Check which bin to use or where to take items with Council's A-Z guide and Recycle Mate
Upsize your recycling bin so you can recycle more

3 things to keep out

The top three items to keep out of your yellow-lid bin:
No plastic packets, wrappers and bags. Place soft plastics in your red lid bin or search drop-off locations with Recycle Mate.
No recycling in bags. Empty recyclables loose into your yellow lid bin.
No bagged general waste. Place in your red lid bin. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens to recycling on Redlands Coast?

Once your recycling is collected from the kerb, it’s transported to a recycling facility where it’s sorted into different types of materials, paper and cardboard, glass, plastic, steel and aluminium. Each material type is cleaned and processed for remanufacturing. The materials can then be remade into new products, reducing the need for raw materials and helping conserve natural resources.

Why should I care about what goes in my recycling bin?

Getting our recycling right helps conserve resources, reduce waste to landfill, and ensure materials can be remade into new products. By following the recycling guidelines, you're helping protect the environment and contribute to a sustainable future for Redlands Coast.

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 disrupt the recycling process and make it harder for recyclables to be reused.

Why can't I place my recyclables in a paper bag?

Recycling that’s contained, even in a paper bag or cardboard box, isn't guaranteed to be emptied through the collection and sorting process. Bags and boxes aren’t opened, losing recycling efforts to waste. We know using a paper bag or box is a handy way to collect your recyclables, just remember to empty your recyclables loose into the yellow-lid bin and pop the bag or box in separately. Thanks for your recycling efforts!