Bundle Waste
Use the accepted-material list for the business collection at your address. A recycling symbol or a material's theoretical recyclability does not confirm acceptance in that bin. Ask the operator when the list was updated and use it for staff signs.
Check the service specification
Cleanaway describes a commingled service for specified containers, including glass bottles and jars, metal cans and hard plastic containers, with preparation requirements. This is an operator example, not a national rule or confirmation that every site has the same service. Cleanaway: Commingled services for businesses and councils
| Material | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Paper and cardboard | Whether accepted together, separately, or under specific cleanliness conditions |
| Plastic containers | Accepted forms, contents, lids and preparation; do not rely on resin numbers alone |
| Glass and metal packaging | Accepted container types and exclusions |
| Cartons and composite packaging | Whether this service can receive the particular product |
| Soft film and EPS | Whether a separate commercial route is needed |
Keep batteries and uncertain items separate
EPA Victoria advises that batteries need a suitable separate collection route and that e-waste is banned from landfill. Ordinary general and commingled recycling bins are not the place for batteries. EPA Victoria: Electronic waste
Do not add sharps, chemicals, liquids or unknown containers to recycling because they appear to be made of metal, glass or plastic. Ask the responsible site manager about safe assessment and collection.
Make preparation easy to follow
- Use the provider's instructions for emptying, cleaning, lids and flattening.
- Check whether material must be loose and which bags, if any, are accepted.
- Put labels where staff dispose of the material and where cleaners transfer it.
- Provide a clear alternative for items the service excludes.
- Review actual contamination reports instead of assuming a universal rejection threshold.
Do not equate collection with recycling
Ask for destination and processing evidence before making a recycling-rate claim. Some records prove only that a bin was emptied. Keep rejected quantities and unknown outcomes visible in reporting.
For dedicated streams, see soft-plastic collection and EPS recycling. Use the business recycling guide to plan the broader system.
Sources
- Cleanaway — Commingled services for businesses and councils. Checked 18 September 2026; Common recyclable containers; What do we do with your commingled recycling?.
- EPA Victoria — Electronic waste. Checked 18 September 2026; E-waste and the law; Permissions.