Recycle: Don't Be A Waster!

This is a reupload due to issues with previous Should every Australian café, restaurant and food business be forced to separate food waste? In this episode of  Recycle: Don't Be A Waster! , we take a balanced look at one of the biggest changes facing hospitality businesses – mandatory Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection and rising landfill levies. The environmental argument is that...

What Happens When There Is An Illegal Dump Near Your Home? - Rcycle: Don't Be A Waster!   Illegal landfills, often referred to as uncontrolled or open dumpsites, pose significant risks to both the environment and human health due to their lack of regulation and proper management. Unlike legal landfills, which are engineered with liners, leachate collection systems, and gas controls, illegal dumpsi...

Is bin fossicking allowed in NSW. Note - this is not legal advice. It looks like you're asking about the legality of "bin fossicking" for bottles and cans in New South Wales (NSW), likely in the context of the Return and Earn scheme where people collect containers for a 10-cent refund. Let's break it down clearly based on current info as of March 12, 2025. Is Bin Fossicking for Bottles and Cans Le...

Is It True Australia Recycles Zero Aluminium? :Recycle - Don't Be A Waster!   In this episode we talk about a surprising fact.   In 2025 - Australia recycles virtually zero aluminium scrap.   Following the closure of the domestic car industry over the last 20 years - our ability to melt down scrap aluminium has ended.    It seems all our scrap aluminium is shipped offshore to be recycled. This hur...

Hey! Did WA Just Ban My Coffee Cup? :Recycle - Don't Be A Waster! If there is one thing Aussie's love - it is their morning take away coffee - and anyone who messes with that could be in trouble!   WA has just banned non compostable coffee cups - and Waster agrees!   We discuss how sitting down and having an actual cup of coffee will be good for your health and help the environment    

Should All Plastic Drinks Bottles Be Replaced With Aluminium?: Recycle - Don't Be A Waster!   In this episode we discuss whether plastic drinks bottles should all be replaced with aluminium.   Aluminium is common for drinks such as soft drinks and beer - but tends not to be used for water.   We discuss the list of problems with plastic such as microplastics, ocean pollution and increasing evidence...

Why A Startup Wants To Reduce Paper Receipts And Save The World: Recycle - Don't Be A Waster!   In this episode of our recycling podcast - we look at the environmental and potential health impacts of paper receipts - i.e. the type you receive as proof of purchase in any shop from supermarkets to other retailers.   We find out that the thermal paper used can not be recycled - and has major potentia...

What Is A Nappy Tax In South Australia And Is It A Good Idea?: Recycle - Don't Be A Waster!   South Australia Nappy Tax - We have to assume that the government making their residents' lives easier and more comfortable would be in their best interest. They have the purpose of serving their citizens by providing good and just governance, establishing beneficial laws, ensuring order and offering esse...

Is There A Solution To Ghost Nets In The Ocean?: Recycle - Don't Be A Waster!   In this week's episode - we look at the major issue of ghost nets or ghost gear. This is when old fishing nets and similar equipment is left floating in the sea.   As you can imagine this creates big issues with pollution and impacts wildlife - such as turtles.   Did you know the Top End of Australia is one of the wors...

Leaf Recycling - What's That About Then?: Recycle - Don't Be A Waster!   In this episode we look at leaf recycling and whether it will become an important factor in boosting recycling.   A new startup called Releaf Paper - https://www.releaf-paper.com/ is focusing on manufacturing paper and paper packaging from tree leafs instead of needing to cut down trees.

Three Great New Recycling Options For Aussies: Recycle - Don't Be A Waster!   In this episode we discuss three great recycling options that are free or low cost. They will help households and businesses recycle niche items whilst avoiding long car journeys of high costs.   Terracycle free drop offs - https://help.au.terracycle.com/hc/en-au/articles/4406783519501-How-can-I-find-my-nearest-public-dr...

Do We Really Inhale A Credit Card Worth Of Plastic Every Week?: Recycle - Don't Be A Waster!   In this episode we look at a recent academic study that suggests the average human breathes in microplastics each week - equivalent to the weight of a credit card.   This is quite shocking and brings with it multiple health concerns covering fertility issues as well as general health concerns.   We also...

Samsara Eco Has An Amazing Breakthrough For Fabric Recycling? Recycle: Don't Be A Waster! In this episode we cover how an aussi startup called Samsara Eco is making massive innovation in clothes recycling.   By using an enzyme to break down polyester and nylon into its chemical building blocks - they can recycle huge voumes of synthetic fibers.   They aim to open a plant in the USA and also have s...

Can You Recycle Mobile Phone Cases? Recycle: Don't Be A Waster! We all have them and increasingly they are seen as fashion statements or collector items - we are talking about mobile phone cases.   These brightly coloured plastic protectors are changed even more often than the mobile phone itself.   In this episode we talk about some of the options available for recycling them in 2023.

What Can Be Done With Solar Panels? Recycle: Don't Be A Waster!   As we move to a cleaner energy model in Australia - it makes lots of sense to implement solar panels. This is particularly clear in the Sunshine State of Queensland.   In Queensland the State Government is discussing banning any ewaste including solar panels going to landfill.   If we do nothing - we are looking at over 10,000 tonne...

Should Small Business Be Scared Of ESG? Recycle: Don't Be A Waster!   When you hear about ESG or Environment, Social and Governance - it can lead to various reactions. Many small businesses worry they simply do not have the time or systems to focus on it. Waster argues that it will be key to helping small businesses track, and improve their waste and environmental footprint.

Does The Redcycle Collapse Have A Silver Lining?  Recycle: Don't Be A Waster! Redcycle has collapsed - and Coles and Woolworths have been ordered to dispose of 5,200 metric tonnes of soft plastic waste by the EPA. We look at this huge mess - and ask - is there a silver lining?

How To Recycle Wetsuits?  Recycle: Don't Be A Waster! In this episode we discuss how to recycle your old neoprene wetsuit using the Rip Curl / Terracycle recycling program. The best thing about the recycling program is it is free to drop off your old wetsuit!

Can We Recycle All Plastics By 2040?  Recycle: Don't Be A Waster! We discuss the announcement by the Australian Government that the country will recycle all plastics by 2040. Is this plausible? Is this good news or is it just more of the same wishcycling that has seen Redcycle in trouble?

What Happened To Redcycle?  Recycle: Don't Be A Waster! We discuss what happened to the major soft plastics recycling business - Redcycle - which collected plastic bags and other soft plastics at major supermarkets in Australia. We discuss the problem with soft plastic recycling and if incineration is a better option.

How Much Money Do Plastic Recyclers Make?. Recycle: Don't Be A Waster!   Many people ask can they make a fortune by starting a plastic recycling business - in today's episode we explore that question - and discuss some of the negatives.   It certainly is not as easy as you may think - and would not qualify as a "gold mine" in normal language.

We Take A Look At Composting Food Waste. Recycle: Don't Be A Waster! In this episode we take a look at composting - as an alternative to landfill for food waste, organic waste and some items you maybe have not thought of as compostable. We mention some interesting websites such as the food waste sharing platform If you have no room for a compost bin - check out  sharewaste.com  - a platform where...

Can We Recycle Clothes, Shoes And Books?. Recycle: Don't Be A Waster! In this episode we discuss the possibility of a national or municipal collection for books, clothes and shoes. There are some programs available at moment  - but a huge amount of items - that are not high enough quality to be sold - often end up going to landfill. Let's look at the options.

Why Fining Is The Wrong Approach. Recycle: Don't Be A Waster! In this podcast episode on all things recycling - we discuss why fining people is not always the best way to get people to make the right recycling decisions. Aodhan discusses the Perth council that is proposing fining people $5000 for having a smelly bin!

Why Recycling Innovation Gets So Little Investment! Recycle: Don't Be A Waster! For such a huge and important sector - recycling innovation does not seem to receive investment from venture capitalists - in the way we may expect. We discuss the possible reasons for this in today's podcast.