From ‘A’ - for air conditioners - to ‘Z’ - for zip lock bags - use our A to Z guide to work out where you can recycle items that can't go in your kerbside recycling bins or how you can reuse a whole heap of different things.
We encourage local organisations and not-for-profit groups to publicise their recycling or reuse opportunities in this guide, please email wasteeducation@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
No endorsement: listing on this page is provided for information purposes only and does not mean Council endorses the organisation's products or services.
Check our Bin it Right for items that can be recycled in your kerbside bins. However, remember it is always a better option for your items to be used by someone else.
Watch your Waste - have a read of our waste dashboard and see the waste generated by your suburb.
Northern Beaches Reuse and Recycling map - use our handy map to see where you can take your used items for free.
Some items listed below can be donated to a person in need, visit the online platform GIVIT that could help to find a home for your donation.
Check out our waste reduction workshops and events to learn how to reduce your impact on the environment by reducing your waste.
Put it in your vegetation bin for collection if the lid closes flat or drop it to Kimbriki for free.
Air Conditioners
These can be dropped off at Kimbriki free of charge. The unit must be de-gassed first.
Asbestos
Accepted at Kimbriki as waste but conditions apply.
Balls
If you have used tennis and other sports balls that are worn or dirty but still intact and functional, Monika’s Doggie Rescue at Ingleside will happily accept them. Contact first 9486 3133.
See also Tennis Balls.
Baths, bathroom sinks, vanities
You can drop off metal or cast iron baths and sinks at Kimbriki for recycling. Alternatively donate baths, sinks vanities to a second-hand building materials supplier or give away online
Batteries
Batteries contain toxic metals including cadmium, mercury and lead and can be dangerous for the environment.
Take used batteries for recycling to:
- Aldi stores - household batteries (AAA, AA, C, D and 9V only)
- Battery World
- Bunnings
- Household Chemical CleanOut Collection
- Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre
- Woolworths stores - household batteries (AAA, A, C, D and 9V only). Check conditions
For a full list of drop off points near you visit Battery Stewardship Council.
Please note we are ceasing our battery collection at Council Customer Service Centres from 16 July 2023.
Bean Bags
Small fragments or beads of polystyrene/styrofoam, should be contained and placed in the red lidded bin. If it is bean bag beads, put them in a strong plastic bag, expel the air, seal and place in the red lidded bin.
The empty bean bag can go in the red lidded bin or put out on a bulky goods collection. If it bag is a textile material rather than plastic it can also be taken to H&M or Zara for recycling where you get a purchase discount voucher as a thank you in the store for diverting this recyclable item from landfill.
Beer can clips
The Independent Brewers Assocation is trialling a program to collect and reuse beer can clips. Read more
Keep your clips and return them to the branded collection box at:
Clips not viable for reuse will be recycled into new clips.
Bikes
Recycle your unwanted bike by donating it to bikes4life. The organisation repairs and restores all bikes, and gifts it to individuals in local and overseas marginalised communities to use as a mode of sustainable transport. Please take your unwanted bicycle to Kimbriki Resource and Recycling Centre (workshop is on left before the weighbridges). Better bikes are occasionally sold to raise funds to pay for the considerable freight costs of sending bikes overseas.
Volunteers who would like to help repair bikes are very welcome, with workshops being held at Kimbriki on a Wednesday 2-4pm. For more information, go to bikes4life.
Revolve Recycling collects unwanted bikes to divert them from landfill and rehome or recycle them. Book a free contactless collection from your doorstep.
Check out Councils Reuse Events for further opportunities to have your bike restored and rehomed.
Alternatively, if the bicycle is in working order, consider donating it to charity or selling it.
Blankets
Donate your blankets and towels to Animal Welfare League, animal shelters or vets. Check with them about sheets, bathroom rugs and t-shirts too.
Lifeline Northern Beaches, 310 Sydney Road, Balgowlah, and LocalKind Northern Beaches, 9977 1066, take blankets in good condition. Other local charities may take blankets.
Blanket Patrol Northern Beaches accept contributions of new or good condition blankets (and sleeping bags)
Blister packs / webster packs
Pharmacycle recycles both the aluminium and the plastic in used and empty medicinal blister packs for free at a number of participating pharmacies,
- Blooms The Chemist – Forestville
- Pharmacy 4 Less Warriewood
- Manly Community Pharmacy
- Chemist Warehouse stores
Books
Lifeline Northern Beaches accepts good quality book donations. Small donations can be dropped at a lifeline retail store. A number of other charities also accept book donations. Givenow keeps a list of some of these organisations. Alternatively you could swap your books with others using book swap sites such as Book Mooch. You could also set up a second-hand book exchange between friends, at your child's school or another community group. As a last resort you can recycle unusable books in the blue lidded paper recycling bin.
Bread tags - plastic
Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs collect plastic bread tags. The bread tags are recycled by Tranmutation in Robe, South Australia into various plastic products. The funds raised are used to buy wheelchairs for those in need in South Africa. Find your nearest collection point.
Building materials
Do you have unwanted leftover or second hand building materials from a renovation? You could sell or give them away through a number of avenues. Alternatively the Bower in Marrickville may accept small amounts of building materials that you no longer want, call 9568 6280 to see if they can take your donation.
Business waste
The National Business Recycling Directory contains information about recycling and waste disposal services for Australian small to medium-sized businesses.
Cameras
Cameras can be recycled for free at Spectrum Camera House at Brookvale, 9907 1955 and
Car batteries
Car batteries can be taken to Household Chemical CleanOut Collection.
Alternatively drop off at Cleanaway Belrose Resource Recovery Centre or Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre for recycling.
Cardboard
Cassettes
Video and audio cassettes cannot be recycled and need to be place in the red lidded garbage bin. For VCR and DVD players please see the Electrical goods section on this webpage.
CDs and DVDs
You can donate your CDs and DVDs to Lifeline Northern Beaches, Red Cross, Salvation Army and Vinnies Op shops
Ceramics/drinking glass
If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or sell or donate online. If broken, wrap in paper or cloth and add to the red garbage bin.
Chemicals (hazardous waste)
NSW Environment Protection Authority runs free chemical collection days at various sites throughout the year. The collection accepts all household chemicals. For more information call Environment Line on 131 555 or visit Household Chemical CleanOut.
Christmas Trees
Council will collect your Christmas tree if it is contained within your vegetation bin and the lid closed flat.
If you prefer not to cut the tree so that it fits in your vegetation bin, you can drop it off for free at the Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre Kimbriki Rd, Ingleside.
Cloth nappies
Wondering what to do with your cloth nappies you no longer need? Check out The Australian Nappy Association for a number of options.
Clothing
Do you have clothing in good condition? Keep it out of landfill by donating your unwanted clothes to a local charity. The Charitable Recycling Australia has a list of charities who may accept your donation.
Lifeline Northern Beaches takes sleepwear in good condition.
There are also specialist charities seeking particular items. Dress for Success and Fitted for Work accept high quality work wear to provide disadvantaged women with outfits for job interviews. Support the Girls accepts new or second hand bras in good condition which are provided to disadvantaged women.
H&M have garment collection boxes in all stores. Drop a bag of your unwanted clothing, any brand, any condition, in their recycling box. The textiles are then sent to the nearest recycling plant. For every bag of textiles you drop off, you’ll receive a discount card for 15% off your next in-store purchase.
Zara also have collection boxes for used clothing.
Depending on the item, you could also give away or sell clothing on online sites, garage sale or organise a clothes swap.
Consignment clothing retailers will sell good quality clothes for you for a small commission. Search the internet to find one near you.
Coffee capsules
Nespresso have a recycling collection for Nespresso capsules
Computers
Computer equipment will NOT be accepted as part of your bulky goods clean up. Find out more about eWaste and where to recycle your computers and TVs in the Northern Beaches.
The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme provides Australian households and small businesses with access to free recycling services for TVs, computers and computer equipment. The scheme does not accept other types of electronic waste such as DVD and VCR players.
Visit Whirl Recycling
Construction and demolition waste
Visit Planet Ark for information on minimising and recycling construction and demolition waste. Local options are Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre, Cleanaway Belrose Resource Recovery Centre and Benedict Recycling at Belrose.
Contact lenses and cases
TerraCycle can help to find the nearest drop-off location. Type in your postcode and then the waste you are wishing to recycle from the drop down menu.
Cork
Endeavour Group has launched Australia’s only large-scale, natural cork stopper recycling program, ReCORK.
The ReCORK system will repurpose natural cork stoppers into useful and eco-friendly products.
They will be turned into anti-fatigue, cork composite foot mats by Save Our Soles.
Drop off locations, Dan Murphy stores.
Reverse Garbage accepts them for reuse - call 02 9569 3132 or email info@reversegarbage.org.au if you have a large quantity.
Drones
Visit Whirl Recycling (used to be Arnies Recon). They collect drones and many other electrical items. They will pick up from homes in some areas.
Electronics/electrical appliances - Computer Games & Consoles, computers, watches, vintage radios and more
Visit Whirl Recycling (used to be Arnies Recon). They will pick up from homes in some areas.
Mobile phones; laptops; desktop computers; servers; switches; hard drives; modems; tablets; cameras; camera lenses and accessories; computer games; Gameboys; Nintendos; Playstation; Xbox; iPads; iPods; iPhones; Android phones; graphics cards; tools; cords and cables; DVD players; stereos; drones; computer small to medium-size power tools; routers; vintage mobile phones; vintage radios; receivers; amplifiers.
Appliances smaller than a microwave, such as blenders, Thermomixes, toasters, irons, sewing machines, mixers and bread machines. But also vacuums, fans and lights (as long as the bulb is removed). Ceiling fans only if the blades are removed.
Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre -Small electrical appliances are accepted free of charge if it is more than 80% metal. If less than 80% it will be accepted as mixed waste and charges will apply.
E-waste
Televisions, desktop and portable computers, monitors, mice, keyboards, cables, drives, printers, scanners and computer-related peripherals are all classified as e-waste.
There are different recycling options for the various types of e-waste.
Engineered timber
Engineered timber, including particleboard and plywood, can be recycled at Kimbriki during their timber recycling trial. Please visit the Kimbriki website for more details on which items are accepted. Fees and conditions apply.
Essentials for those in need
Care Essentials accept donations of toiletries, wool, beanies, scarves, socks, clothes in season and gloves. North Balgowlah drop-off.
Blanket Patrol Northern Beaches accept blankets & sleeping bags (new or in good condition) to distribute to the homeless and the needy. They also accept toiletries, single use hotel/airline items, in season men’s and women’s clothing in good condition.
Fabric, yarn, haberdashery, patterns
The Sewing Basket will take donations of fabrics and patterns, patchwork, embroidery materials, knitting and crochet yarn, haberdashery, sewing machines and more, while providing employment opportunities for people with disability.
Fencing timber, palings, treated pine, pallets, decking
These can be taken to Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre.
Raw timber - Kimbriki will accept it as vegetation
Engineered timber - Visit Kimbriki, fee applies
Treated timber - If the timber has been treated, oiled, stained, lacquered, painted or timber/pine has been permeated with a chemical solution accepted as mixed waste (fee applies)
For any fencing not recyclable at Kimbriki, ie accepted as vegetation, up to 12 fence palings can be added to your bulky goods collection. Note - nails do not need to be removed but nuts and bolts should be removed.
Donate timber (untreated) to a second-hand building materials supplier.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire Extinguishers are accepted at Household Chemical Cleanouts (held a couple of times a year on the Northern Beaches)
Flares - distress signals from boats
Flares contain explosive matter which makes safe and legal disposal difficult.
The safe disposal of out-of-date flares is essential to avoid any injury from unintended or deliberate ignition in a non-emergency situation.
The NSW Transport Roads & Maritime Services maintains a collection program to help boaters dispose of expired marine flares, with mobile collections set up across NSW. Visit 2022 collection program
Note - Most flares have a use-by date of three years and penalties apply if they are not replaced before they expire.
Food
Compost bins, worm farms and chickens are great ways to reduce your food waste. Kimbriki conducts workshops on setting up worm farm and compost bins, call 9486 3512. Northern Beaches residents who attend receive a voucher towards the purchase of a compost bin or worm farm (terms and conditions apply). Composting and worm farming is a great alternative to disposing of your food waste in the rubbish bin while creating quality fertiliser for your pot plants and garden. Food waste once in landfill produces greenhouse gases. Visit Love Food Hate Waste.
No room for a compost bin or worm farm? Check with your local community gardens to see if they will take your food waste and turn it into quality compost.
Fridges and freezers
Whitegoods can be taken to Kimbriki free of charge. Items must be degassed first, proof of degassing no charge otherwise $25 fee if not degassed.
Alternatively leave them in a separate pile with other metal goods when you book your next bulky goods clean up and it will be recycled. Please make sure fridge and freezer doors are unhinged for safety.
Harvey Norman at Balgowlah will take white goods such as fridges, washing machines for recycling, only upon purchase and delivery of new goods.
Furniture
Do you have unwanted furniture that is in good condition? Consider donating unwanted furniture to a local charity. Charitable Recycling Australia has a list of charities who may accept your donation. Don't forget you can also sell or give away unwanted furniture. List item on an online sales website or pass on furniture via a car boot sale, garage sale, telling friends and neighbours, placing an ad in the paper, putting up posters on a community noticeboard or at work.
IKEA is piloting a furniture buy back program. If you don’t want your IKEA products anymore and they are still in good condition, obtain an estimate of your furniture’s buy-back value online. Then take your assembled IKEA furniture, together with your estimate, to your preferred IKEA store, where they will assess the furniture in person, then give you the final agreed value as an IKEA refund card.
Gas cylinders/canisters
Pressurised gas cylinders cannot be disposed of in garbage trucks or at landfills as they are dangerous when compacted. Cylinders can be refilled many times. Check your local petrol station as many of them have a swap service where you take your empty cylinder for a filled one.
You can also take cylinders to Cleanaway Belrose Resource Recovery Centre. Call 8645 4304 for more information.
Domestic gas bottles/canisters and fire extinguishers are accepted by Household Chemical CleanOut or at your nearest Community Recycling Centre.
Diving tanks should be returned to the manufacturer via dive centre.
Glass
This includes any furniture items containing glass such as tables, cabinets, doors, picture frames, mirrors etc
Donate to a second-hand building materials supplier. Sell in local papers, trading post or online.
You can also take plate glass, mirrors and windows to Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre, Cleanaway Belrose Resource Recovery Centre or organise your own waste collection contractor for a fee.
If broken, wrap in paper or cloth and add to the red garbage bin.
Guttering
Drop off for recycling at Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre. If guttering is in good condition, donate to a second-hand building materials supplier.
Hairdresser/salon waste
Sustainable Salons collect chemicals, hair, metals, paper, plastics and ponytails for reuse/recycling. Find a Sustainable Salon near you.
Hot water heaters
Hot Water heaters can be left in a separate pile with other metals at your bulky goods collection if it can be lifted by 2 people as is less than 1.8m and not insulated with asbestos.
It can also be taken to Kimbriki and will be accepted for free as metal recycling.
Ink cartridges
Ask your current cartridge provider whether they have a recycling program. Alternatively, Cartridges 4 Planet Ark has printer cartridge recycling bins at Australia Post, Officeworks, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, JB Hi-Fi and Office National stores. For more information, or for Northern Beaches businesses wanting free cartridges pick up, call Cartridges 4 Planet Ark hotline on 1800 24 24 73.
Junk Mail
Junk mail make up 6% of Australia’s total paper usage and only 20% of catalogues are ever read. Even though you can recycle junk mail in your blue lidded recycling bin it is better to avoid this waste.
Call the Distribution Standards Board (DSB) on 1300 083 241 for a No Advertising Material sticker to place on your letterbox or to report any junk mail which is littered, delivered in duplicate or delivered to a letterbox with a No Advertising material sticker on it.
To stop unsolicited mail that is addressed to a household resident, register with the Australian Direct Marketing Organisation.
Lawn mowers
Lawn mowers (metal) are accepted as a metal at Kimbriki free of charge. Conditions apply. Petrol and oil must be removed before disposal.
They will not be collected if left out at a bulky goods clean up. Even if they are drained of fuel/oil, the vapours can still cause a fire in the trucks.
Electric mowers can be left out at a bulky goods clean up, remove any battery.
Light globes, bulbs and fluorescent tubes
Accepted at Kimbriki. Enter the site via the weighbridge for further directions. Free for Northern Beaches Council residents. Household quantities only.
They can also be dropped off an your next Household Chemical CleanOut collection.
Tubes and globes must be removed from packaging.
- Linear fluorescent tubes (4ft only, no 5ft accepted)
- U-shaped and coated fluorescents
- high pressure mercury vapour lamps
- high pressure sodium vapour lamps
- metal halide lamps
- ultraviolet lamps
- projector lamps
- compact fluorescent lamps
- incandescent lamps and globes
- neon tubing
- heat lamps
- halogen (dichroic) downlights
Note - Kimbriki will not accept broken tubes and globes. These should be wrapped in paper and disposed of in your red lidded garbage bin
Liquid Chlorine Containers
Take your empty 15L Chlorine container with a cap to a pool shop or Bunnings and swap it for a new filled Chlorine container. All brands accepted.
LPG tanks from a vehicle
LPG tanks from a vehicle can be taken to Household Chemical CleanOut Collection
Make-up, hair care and skin care packaging
Any brand of make-up, hair care or skin care packaging can be taken to Priceline, Mecca or David Jones for recycling.
Just empty and clean the container first.
Mattresses
Residents are encouraged to recycle mattresses instead of sending them to landfill. Mattresses are bulky and take up valuable landfill space. Various components can be recycled including metal springs and timber. If you are purchasing a new mattress ask whether mattress collection and recycling is part of their service. There are a number of retailers that offer this service either free or for a fee. If your retailer does not offer this, there a number of mattress recyclers that have a collection service. Services vary and fees apply.
You can take your mattress to Kimbriki where it will be partially recycled, fees apply Alternatively, you can book a bulky goods clean up where it will be recycled for free at Kimbriki.
Medicine
The RUM is a national, not-for-profit program which provides a convenient and environmentally responsible solution for the collection and disposal of unwanted medicines. Many pharmacies in northern Sydney act as collection points for unwanted and out-of-date medicines. Call RUM on 1300 650 835 or visit returnmed.com.au.
Metals
Look for metal recyclers in the Northern Beaches, ring first to see if they pick up or you need to deliver it yourself. Drop off is free and some metals they will pay for.
Items that are at least 80% metal can be taken for free to Kimbriki for recycling.
Metal roofing can be put out in your bulky goods collection, maximum size 1m x 5m, and will be recycled.
Small metals can be taken to our reuse events held every 2-3 months,
Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens can be taken to Kimbriki free of charge.
Alternatively, leave your microwave in a separate pile with other metal goods when you book your next bulky goods clean up and it will be recycled.
Mobile phones
Upgrading your phone? If your old one is still in good working condition donate it to charity, sell or trade it in. A number of charities are requesting used mobile phones. Give now lists some of these charities. Some phone companies offer credit on your new phone if you trade an old one in. If your old phone cannot be reused, recycle it! Up to 90 per cent of the metal, minerals, plastic and glass in mobile phones can be recycled. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and allows us to re-use scarce resources.
Mobile phones and accessories can be recycled through:
- MobileMuster, the official mobile phone industry recycling program. Find a local drop off point, pick up a free reply paid postage satchel at your local post office.
- Council Customer Service in Avalon, Dee Why, Manly or Mona Vale.
- Officeworks stores (selected recycling stores only)
- Woolworths stores
Needles and syringes disposal
Residents (not businesses) can dispose of needles and syringes at the following places;
- Brookvale Community Health Centre, 612-624 Pittwater Rd (yellow sharp bin is outside behind the building). You can also go inside to participate in the needle exchange, Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri, 9am to 5pm. They will provide sharp containers or you can buy them from pharmacies
- Mona Vale Hospital outside the ‘urgent care centre’ on Coronation St
- Northern Beaches Hospital, 105 Frenchs Forest Road, outside emergency
- Medclinic Family Practice, shop 1427A Westfield, Warringah Mall if in an approved sharps container
- Belrose Chemist, shop 5 Glenrose village
- Manly Drug Education & Counselling Centre, 91 Pittwater Rd, Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm
- Narrabeen Pharmacy, 67 Waterloo St, 9913 7171 participate in the needle exchange program only
If you find a needle in a public place contact the Needle Cleanup hotline pickup on 1800 633 353.
Nespresso coffee pods
Take your Nespresso coffee pods to Nespresso’s collection stations.
Nursery items for babies and children
Dandelion Support Network take items such as baby baths, carriers, bouncers, capsules, car seats made in 2017 or later, high chairs, play pens and many more. Visit Dandelion Support Network for a more comprehensive list.
Many of these items can also be taken to or bought from Council's Reuse events and second hand markets.
Check out our Reuse and Recycling Map for other options.
Office furniture
Sell your office furniture in local newspapers, trading post or online. The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre, may accept your donation. Call them first on 9658 6280 to check.
Oil - motor and cooking
Accepted at:
- Household Chemical Cleanout
- Cleanaway Belrose Resource Recovery Centre
- Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre (motor oil)
Check their websites terms and conditions.
Oil heaters (household)
Oil heaters (no need to drain) can be taken to a Chemical CleanOut event or Kimbriki (no charge-accepted as metal recycling)
Oil heaters won’t be picked up at bulky goods collection due to the potential of oil being present and leaking when compacted which could cause a fire or end up on the road.
Oral Care Waste
Find a TerraCycle store that accepts your oral care products and packaging on the Northern Beaches.
Paint
Residents and trade painters can drop-off their unwanted and unused paint for free at Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre. Max limit of 100L of paint in containers no larger than 20L each (lids must be securely fixed). The total limit applies to the container size regardless of how full they are. Lead paint is not accepted. For terms and conditions and a list of accepted products please visit the Kimbriki website.
Small, dry and essentially empty paint tins can be placed in the yellow recycling bin.
NSW EPA runs free chemical collection days at various sites throughout the year. The collection accepts all household chemicals including paint. For more information call the Environment Line on 131 555 or visit Household Chemical CleanOut.
Paint can also be taken daily to Cleanaway Belrose Resource Recovery Centre. Combine your oil based paint and in another container combine your water based paint. Charges apply to container size, not the amount of paint in the container. Paint is charged per litre of container capacity. Water or oil based paint only. No thinners, solvents or paint related products. Water based paints and oil based paints must be kept separate. Phone 8645 4304 for more information. Label all paint containers.
Pallets
Up to 2 unbranded pallets are accepted at your bulky goods collection.
For branded pallets contact the company.
Visit the Kimbriki website for details on which pallets are accepted. Fees and conditions may apply.
Direct Pallets specialise in the removal and recycling of waste pallets including all types and sizes at a reasonable cost.
Alternatively sell your unbranded pallets via local papers, trading post or online.
Paper
Clean paper, glossy magazines and shredded paper go in your blue recycling bin.
Staples can be left in your paper or cardboard boxes and the plastic window doesn't need to be removed from the window envelopes before adding to the blue bin.
Please flatten cardboard boxes and crumpled paper if you can.
Alternatively they may be taken to Kimbriki
No food, wax-coated cardboard or soiled paper. For these, please use your red or dark green garbage bin.
If you have a compost bin you can add small pieces and small amounts of food-soiled paper.
Pens and markers
Pen and marker recycling stations are now available in selected Officeworks stores -find a recycling store near you
Perspex
Reverse Garbage in Marrickville may accept sheets of perspex. Call first to ensure that they are able to accept your donation on 9569 3132.
Pet food packaging
Empty pet food packaging including packaging from treats and vitamins for pets.
There are a number of drop off locations on the Northern Beaches:
- Pittwater Animal Hospital at Warriewood
- Mona Vale Veterinary Hospital
- Allambie Vet
- Vetmed Forest at Forestville
- Seaforth Veterinary Hospital
Photos
Photos can’t be recycled as they are plastic laminated. If you can’t find a use for them such as using them in arts and craft, put them in your red-lidded garbage bin.
Pizza Boxes
Cardboard is highly recyclable, and used pizza boxes can be processed into new paper products.
Some grease and oil is OK but no food scraps. Tear off the parts with food and put them in the red bin.
Plant pots (plastic)
A number of local nurseries will take plastic plant pots for reuse and recycling.
- Kimbriki
- PP5 plastic plant pots recycling collection points
- New Leaf Nursery
- Powderworks Nursery - 200mm and larger
- Four Seasons Nursery (Belrose store only)
- Kulgoa Nursery - 140mm and larger
- Indigo Native Nursery - 50, 140, 200 and 500mm only
- Flower Power
- Foley's Nursery
- Selected Bunnings Stores
Plastic bags and packaging
Unfortunately REDcycle has temporarily ceased collecting soft plastics at supermarkets due to the challenge of finding legitimate markets for the recycled product. We hope this will be resolved as State and Federal governments work with industry. We will continue to explore any options where Council can assist. Boutique plastic bags can be given to some charity shops.
Polystyrene
Visit Council's Waste Reduction Events for our next Polystyrene drop-off collection. They are held every 2-3 months. Only rigid pieces of 100% clean, white and dry polystyrene packaging are accepted as they can be recycled.
All other polystyrene can be put in your red-lidded bin.
Pool chemicals, pumps, filters, inflatables
Pool chemicals can be taken to a Chemical Cleanout event.
Pool pumps that are more than 80% metal can recycled at Kimbriki
Pool filters can be added to your red-lidded garbage bin. If large they can be added to your next bulky goods collection.
Pool inflatables in good condition can be recycled through PLOYS even if punctured. Their NSW collection point is located in Tweed Heads so the most convenient option is to post them. In return, PLOYS offer a $10 voucher/store credit.
Pots and pans
Donate to charity. Alternatively, if the pots and pans are essentially metal put in a separate pile with other metals for your bulky goods general clean up so they can go to metal recycling.
Printer cartridges
You can drop off your used or empty laser and inkjet cartridges at Officeworks and participating Australia Post, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and JB Hi-Fi stores. Inkjet cartridges, toner cartridges and toner bottles are accepted.
Razors
Stainless steel razor blades can be added to a used stainless steel can with the lid still attached (adjust the lid so that the razors stay in the can) and place the can in your yellow-lidded recycling bin.
You can also try Terracycle which offers a free service for recycling any brand of used razor blades and their packaging
Sewing machines
The Sewing Basket will take donations of sewing machines and more, while providing employment opportunities for people with disability.
Whirl Recycling (used to be Arnies Recon) accept sewing machines. If not old and in working order they will be reused, otherwise they will be recycled. Whirl Recycling have a hub in Manly where you can drop off items and will pick up from homes in some areas.
Sheets, towels, blankets
Most animal shelters and vets often need old blankets, bath towels, sheets, bathroom rugs and t-shirts.
Sleeping bags
You can donate good quality sleeping bags to Sydney Vinnies Van Services.
Smoke detectors
Smoke detectors can be taken for free to to the next free Household Chemical CleanOut Collection.
Smoke detectors are not suitable for kerbside collections.
Solar Panels
Solar panels contain some hazardous materials and best kept out of landfill. PV Industries can facilitate the collection and recycling of your solar panels, contact Timothy Dawson, contact@pvindustries.com.au.
Spectacles
Drop off your old glasses to Specsavers stores, where they will be passed onto Lions Club for their 'Recycle for Sight' program.
Other stores also take spectacles for reuse:
- Bechenham Optometrist at Avalon Beach
- Adel Eyecare at Warriewood
- OPSM at Forestway
- Bupa Optical at Warringah Mall
- Manly Optometry
- Maxim Eyes at Manly
Sports shoes
Shoes For Planet Earth is a not-for-profit organisation that provides reused running shoes to those in need around the world. Local drop off point is Pace Athletic at 23 Sydney Road, Manly.
Tread Lightly is a national recycling initiative that takes end of life sports and active leisure shoes and recycles them in Australia, namely any sports branded shoes, leather sports shoes, thongs and slides, football boots, sneakers, trainers, runners, gum shoes and golf shoes. Find your nearest collection location.
Surf wetsuits
Check with your local store to see if they can repair your damaged wetsuit.
For end of life surf wetsuits, all brands are accepted at Rip Curl (1270 Pittwater Road Narrabeen).
Not Accepted: booties, gloves, helmets, diving suits.
Televisions
Televisions can be recycled for free at:
- Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre
- Cleanaway Belrose Waste Recovery Centre and
- Harvey Norman Balgowlah (they accept up to 15 items (including computers and computer equipment) for free.
Tennis Balls
Tread Lightly collect used tennis balls for reuse and recycling. If reusable they are given to community clubs, groups and institutions. End of life tennis balls are sent to Melbourne and are granulated into 5mm pieces and are currently used in the production of soft fall matting.
Here are the collection site in the Northern Beaches
Toner cartridges
Empty laser, toner, inkjet cartridges and toner bottles can be dropped off at all Office Works and participating Australia Post, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, JB Hi-Fi, Office National and Office Products Depot outlets.
Tooth brushes and tooth paste tubes
Tooth brushes, tooth paste tubes, electric toothbrush heads and dental floss cases can be recycled.
TerraCycle can help to find the nearest drop-off location. Type in your postcode and then the waste you are wishing to recycle from the drop down menu.
Toys
Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Recyclers fix used and unused toys and donates them to charities and organisations who help families doing it tough, both locally and overseas.
They take all kinds of soft and educational toys, books, dolls, games and bikes (up to 20" wheel size). Please NO battery operated toys. Toys must be repairable. Drop-off at Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre (phone 9486 3542).
TerraCycle and BIG W have partnered to create Toys for Joy, a free recycling program for all brands of pre-loved toys. Visit Toys for Joy to see what you can recycle and your closest outlet.
Tyres
Car tyres only are accepted at Kimbriki, fees apply. If rims are separated from the tyre the rims can be disposed of as metal free of charge.
Vapes
The Ni cartridge from re-usable vapes are now accepted under the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Program.
These items can be taken to your local pharmacy that has a RUM bin for safe collection and disposal. Single use vapes are not accepted as the Li battery cannot be removed safely and is a fire hazard.
Remove the batteries from the reusable vapes and recycle (see category on batteries).
Vegetation Excess
Residents can drop off excess vegetation generated at home at Kimbriki.
Northern Beaches Council will pay Kimbriki the advertised fee for this service under the following restrictions:
- Vehicles are limited to cars, station wagons, utes, family vans or trailers with up to 300kg of vegetation.
- Proof of residency, ie Northern Beaches Council sticker, driver's licence or rates notice is required.
- No trucks or other vehicles are allowed. However arrangements can be put in place to register a trade vehicle for a resident's own occasional use. Please see Kimbriki reception for details.
- Vehicles are entitled to one vegetation drop-off on any given day. If your load is over 300kg you must pay for the portion you are over at the vegetation tonne rate.
WiFi modems and routers
Accepted at your local Telstra store for recycling. Modems can be taken to Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre.
Whirl Recycling will pick from homes in some areas.
Windows
Donate to a second-hand building materials supplier. Sell in local papers, trading post or online.
You can also take windows to Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre, Cleanaway Belrose Resource Recovery Centre or organise your own waste collection contractor for a fee.
If broken, wrap in paper or cloth and add to the red garbage bin.
X-rays
Residents – you can drop off your x-rays loosely (no envelopes/bags) in our x-ray bins at our Customer Service Offices in Dee Why, Manly and Mona Vale or the libraries at Warringah Mall, Glen Street and Forestville.
Commercial companies – Contact CMA Ecocycle Australia on 1300 32 62 92
X-rays are recycled in Victoria. The silver is extracted through electrolysis and is used in many processes and products. The backing film is made from a plastic similar to plastics in soft drink bottles. The plastic is recycled into products such as shampoo bottles and polyester fleeces.
Zip lock bags
Consider reducing use of zip lock bags and reuse where possible.