I have only just started my recycling journey in earnest. It all felt so confusing and complicated. Plus we don’t have council recycling pickup which made it even easier to chuck everything in the wheelie bin.But I couldn’t carry on like that. And there is absolutely no point in recycling if I don’t do it right. So I have done my research and will share what I have found with you all over the coming week.

To start with there are some rules:

For council recycling (including transfer stations)
– Clean/rinsed or free from yuk stuff (food, waste, dirt etc)
– No rubbish
– Nothing bigger than 4L
– No soft plastics
– Lids off!

For soft plastics recycling:
– Clean, dry and empty
– No compostable plastic bags or plant based plastics

NB. A lot of these tips are for Hastings District only. To further complicate things, different councils have different rules, so check here to be sure https://www.recycle.co.nz/page.php?ref=Regional%20Solutions

*1: Glass, paper, cardboard and cans*
This is like recycling 101. Almost everyone will know what to do here.
If you’re lucky enough to get your recycling picked up, HDC will accept your glass, paper and cardboard and cans if you follow these guidelines. If you’re like me and live outside of the zone, HDC will accept this recycling at these refuse stations – https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/…/rub…/transfer-stations/

Glass – must be rinsed, no lids and includes:
– Jars
– Glass soft drink bottles
– Wine, beer and spirit bottles

Paper and cardboard – must be flattened and includes:
– Junk mail
– Egg cartons
– Magazines 
– Empty pizza boxes
– Paper
– Cardboard
– Envelopes
– Household packaging

Cans – must be rinsed, no lids and includes:
– Tin cans
– Aluminium cans

Something not on the list? It can not be recycled!

Tomorrow we’ll look at the second tip Plastics.

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