For something to be recycled, it must be economically viable.
Things we use are often made of several different materials. When we talk ‘recycling’ we often think ‘yellow top’ bin. This is the right destination for paper, cardboard, cans, glass, aluminium cans and foil & plastic containers.
Even though we can recycle many other items, they should not go in the yellow top bin. Examples? Batteries, plastic bags, toasters, TV’s, gas bottles; these can all be recycled, but they need to be put in the right place. Perth has a small population and is the most isolated city in the world. It also has the tyranny of distance from recycling destinations such as China and the Eastern States of Australia.
With all recycling we need to remember, ‘can it be recycled?’ is different to ‘will it be recycled?’ Recycling is a business and if it costs more to collect, clean and prepare the material for recycling than landfilling it, then it will be landfilled.
The extra layer of recycling complexity is when we have things all ‘stuck together’ such as Tetra paks (juice boxes and long life milk containers). Tetra paks are ones with a layer of plastic, aluminium foil, cardboard and then an outer layer of plastic. This is revolutionary packaging, as it allows foodstuffs to be stored long term on-shelf and without refrigeration. But recycling these is tricky as the extra metal layer must be separated out from the paper and cardboard through flotation, as it is a contaminant. Yes, it can be done, but it will not be in the usual paper and cardboard recycling process. Is it worth separating out all those tetra-paks in WA? No. So why does it show the recycle symbol on the pak? Because it can be. Again, the question is: will it be?
To add to the confusion of the tetra-pak recycling debate is the Containers for Change in WA refund system for eligible drink containers. Some tetra-paks are eligible for this scheme. One of the conditions placed on the scheme in WA, was that all containers collected will indeed be recycled. So maybe we wait and see how the tetra-paks for C. for C. will be processed.
All items with mixed materials present this dilemma. A plastic chair with metal legs could be recycled if the consumer takes off the legs and puts them in the metal bin at the transfer station, or takes them to a metal recycler. But it will not be worth the staff separating the legs, as there is no financial return to make it viable. Currently (2016), metal has a low value in WA and the destination for recycling is in China or other Asian countries, via sea containers leaving from Fremantle.
To give materials the best chance for recycling, they should be clean, separated from contaminants and placed in the correct location for transport.
