The War on Waste: A List of Recycling Programs in Australia

Recycling is an important aspect of living an eco-friendly lifestyle, and there are plenty of recycling programs available in Australia that can help you do your part to protect the environment. To make it easy for you, we've provided a list of a range of recycling programs that are currently available in Australia.

Recycling Clothing, Shoes and Textiles

1. Upparel: this organisation ensures your unwanted items have a second life through our unique reuse and recycling model and help close the loop on textile waste. They will take clothing items, hats, shoes, swimwear, fabric mattress protectors and linen. Everything is reused, repurposed, or recycled right here in Australia. They ensure nothing is sent off-shore or to landfill. Items in new or fit-to-wear condition are hand-sorted and passed on to our charity partners. The remaining is either repurposed or transformed into new materials that are not only entirely recycled, but also circular in design. They will pick up your old items from your home for a cost of $35. Check them out here: https://upparel.com.au/clothing-recycling/ 
2. The Patagonia Worn Wear program: Visit the Worn Wear Repair Hub at the Patagonia Sydney store for basic repairs alterations - busted zippers, rips, tears, buttons, snaps, pulls - on your Patagonia gear for free. Repairs and alterations on other brand garments is offered for a small fee. Not in Sydney? You can also drop off your gear (including wetsuits) or mail it to any other Patagonia store for assessment and repair. More information can be found on the Patagonia website: https://www.patagonia.com.au/worn-wear/
3. TreadLightly: The Australian Sporting Goods Association (ASGA) has teamed up with leading Australian recycling partner Save Our Soles (SOS) to create TreadLightly. This is a national recycling initiative that takes old sport and active lifestyle footwear and recycles it here in Australia to give it new life. Read more at: https://treadlightly.asga.com.au/ 
4. The Sheridan Recycling Program: Sheridan have implemented a recycling program for their customers to recycle their used Sheridan products and help the environment. The recycling program, allows customers to return their used sheets, towels, and quilts, to participating Sheridan stores (and they don’t need to be Sheridan branded!) The returned products are then processed and recycled into new products, and sometimes into insulation, reducing waste and protecting the environment. The link to Sheridan's recycling program can be found on their website: https://www.sheridan.com.au/sustainability/sheridan-recycled
5. AS Colour: In partnership with Textile Recycling Australia (TRA), AS Colour accepts clean unwanted or unwearable textiles in-store at selected Sydney and Melbourne locations. Textiles are processed into recycled fibres, yarns or other materials such as Green Ceramics for use in new products. https://www.ascolour.com.au/textile-recycling 

Upparel's Clothing Recycling Program in action

Recycling Cosmetics

1. Back to M.A.C cosmetics recycling program: Done with your M·A·C products? Return your clean, empty products in-store to recycle. If they can be recycled, they’ll be shredded, re-pelletised and used in the production of new products. What is not recycled is converted to energy. Nothing is sent to landfill. Find out more at: https://www.maccosmetics.com.au/back-to-mac

Recycling Technology

1.  TechCollect: This program partners with retailers and manufacturers to collect and recycle old televisions, computers, and small electronics. Visit their website to find a collection point near you: https://techcollect.com.au/about-us/
2. MobileMuster: This company is the official mobile phone recycling program in Australia and run by Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA).Visit their website to find a collection point near you: https://www.mobilemuster.com.au/
3. Apple's recycling program: Apple offers a trade in program for their products, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and PCs. Customers can drop off their old devices at an Apple store in exchange for credit towards a new Apple Product. More information can be found on the Apple website: https://www.apple.com/au/shop/trade-in#recycle 
4. Officeworks recycling program: 

   If your old device is in good shape, OW will help it go to a new owner through their trade-in program. The accept trade-ins for phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, Apple AirPods, Apple Pencil, Apple TV, Fitbits, GoPro and gaming consoles. Visit their website to see if your device qualifies for an Officeworks gift card. If not, bring your device to your nearest Officeworks store and hand it in for recycling. They will send it to their trusted recycling partner, who will recover valuable materials and use them to make new products. More information can be found on the Officeworks website: https://www.officeworks.com.au/information/about-us/peopleandplanet/recycling

Recyclng Office Supplies

1. Cartridges 4 Planet Ark: This program partners with businesses and organizations to recycle printer cartridges. Visit their website to find a collection point near you: https://www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/cartridges/
2. HP Planet Partners program: HP offers a recycling program for their ink cartridges, toners, and other supplies. Customers can drop off their used HP products at Officeworks stores and other participating retailers, or they can be sent in via post. More information can be found on the HP website: https://www.hp.com/au-en/hp-information/recycling/ink-toner.html
3. Officeworks recycling program: In addition to their tech recycling noted above, Officeworks also offer recycling for a wide range of office supplies, including ink cartridges and school stationery supplies. Customers can drop off their old items in store, and Officeworks will recycle them. More information can be found on the Officeworks website: https://www.officeworks.com.au/information/about-us/peopleandplanet/recycling

Recycling Personal Care and Medical Products

1. Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Project: This program, run by the Australian Government, allows individuals to return unwanted or expired medication to participating pharmacies for safe disposal. More information can be found on the RUM Project website: https://www.returnmed.com.au/
2. TerraCycle: This company offers a recycling program for personal care and beauty products, including items like shampoo and conditioner bottles, makeup packaging, and more. More information can be found on the TerraCycle website: https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/

 Other Notable Recycling Programs

1. National Tyre Recycling Program: This program is run by Tyre Stewardship Australia which is an industry-led organization that aims to improve the sustainability of the tyre industry in Australia. Visit their website for more information: https://www.tyrestewardship.org.au/
2. Envirobank: This company operates recycling and cash-for-containers schemes in multiple states in Australia, which allows residents to return eligible beverage containers for recycling and receive a refund. Visit their website to find a collection point near you: https://www.envirobank.com.au/
3. Local council recycling programs: Many local councils in Australia offer recycling programs for a variety of materials, such as paper, plastic, and glass. These programs may vary depending on the council, so it's a good idea to check with your local council for specific details.
4. TerraCycle Australia: This company specializes in recycling a huge range of hard-to-recycle materials such as coffee capsules, toothpaste tubes, and beauty product packaging. Visit their website to learn more and find a collection point near you: https://www.terracycle.com.au/en-AU

Some of the many recycling programs offered through Terracycle

These are just a few examples of the many recycling programs that are available in Australia. By participating in these programs, you can help to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill and decrease the environmental impact of the products that we use.

A quick note: Please be aware that these programs are subject to change, and some may only operate in specific regions or states. Additionally, many other companies also have their own recycling program that may not be listed above. It's always a good idea to check with the company directly to see if they have a recycling program in place.