Bubble wrap can be recycled alongside other plastic films, like plastic bags, at designated recycling bins. These bins are typically advertised for plastic bag recycling and can be found at most grocery stores.
Bubble wrap and other soft plastics go in the red general waste bin.
Bubble wrap can also be dropped off at selected Woolworths and Coles Stores, which are collected by REDcycle. REDcycle process the plastics and then send them to Replas, who create recycled plastic products such as decking, fencing, signage and furniture. More information on REDcycle and Replas can be found here.
Soft plastics (anything that can scrunch into a ball) can not be placed in your recycling bin, but you can still keep them out of landfill! Think bread bag, bubble wrap, food packaging and wrappers, cling wrap and zip lock bags, Australia Post satchels and more!
Can I recycle bubble wrap via the program? Sure, we love bubble wrap. If you have large pieces of bubble wrap, please cut them into A3 size. Large sheets are too bulky to be placed in the bins.
The majority of bubble wrap is made from a thin, soft plastic that is called #4 low-density polyethene film. It's exactly the same material plastic shopping bags are made from.
Bubble wrap is made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which means it's a form of plastic waste.
All soft plastics such as plastic bags, plastic film or cling wrap, chip packets, toothpaste tubes, bubble wrap, styrofoam and polystyrene products, straws and disposable nappies. Hard plastics that are not containers such as toys or toothbrushes cannot be recycled. ?
Paper padded envelopes:
If the envelope is padded with bubble wrap or plastic, the envelope cannot be recycled in your curbside bin. However, the plastic can usually be returned where you would take your plastic bags.
You can recycle plastic pots, tubs, trays and bottles from home and take soft plastics to your local supermarket to be recycled.
Soft plastics from consumers are one of the most difficult materials to recycle. They are frequently contaminated with food and often made from different types of plastics that are not easily processed.
The REDcycle program was suspended in November 2022 after it came to light that the company had been stockpiling collected soft plastics for an unknown period due to insufficient processing capacity.
Paper (newspapers, magazines, telephone books, office paper, junk mail, comics and light cardboard) Drinks cartons (for milk, juice etc.) Aluminium (soft drink and beer cans, foil) Plastic bottles and cartons.
You should never put these items in your recycling bin. There is good news, though! Once all labels and stickers are removed, clean and dry all-plastic padded envelopes can be dropped off with your plastic bags at your local grocery store for recycling.
Can you recycle envelopes with plastic windows? If your envelope has a plastic address window it CAN still be recycled. Modern recycling machinery is well equipped to handle this with heating elements that melt adhesives and screen out the plastic windows.
Yes, paper envelopes are recyclable and can be placed in your household recycling bin/box to be collected by your local council.
Can sticky tape be recycled? Sticky tape is not recyclable and should be put in the waste bin. Where possible, try to remove all loose strands of sticky tape from cardboard boxes and wrapping paper before you recycle them.
Where can I Recycle Bubble Wrap? Woolworths and Coles Supermarkets have REDCYCLE Bins where you can put your Bubble Wrap to recycle.
Glossy magazines are made out of paper and therefore widely recycled. If you're done with hoarding them under the bed, pop them in your recycling bin.
Why Recycle Aluminum Foil. Aluminum is one of the highest-value materials you can recycle, and it can be reprocessed into new aluminum in just 60 days.
Can polystyrene be recycled? Polystyrene is a type of plastic which is not commonly recycled and should be placed in the waste bin.
Plastics are also unsafe. Any type of household plastic, whether it's bubble wrap or a plastic cup, should not be burned in a fireplace. Plastics release toxic chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, dioxins and heavy metals, that are dangerous for your health and bad for the environment.
Soft plastic refers to grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrappers of products such as biscuits, chips, anything you buy that has a soft plastic sheath. Soft plastic CAN be recycled. Clean and gather your bags and wrappers and take them to your nearest participating store.