Recycling is not Recyclable

On sustainability.

It might be devastating to think about.

But did you know that your recycling often isn't recycled?

In fact, very rarely so.

In this video are some really fucking hard truths about recycling, but don’t lose hope!

Below the video we have taken some time to give you some easy tips
on how to actually recycle for real.

This wise, informed and sassy American is on point. They may be making points about American recycling systems, but Australia is pretty much the same. So let’s do something small to make a difference.

After you have finished crying and regretting all your life choices, let me pass you a tissue of solace. Solace in the form of an idea that you can do better, and easily so. Follow my steps baybeeeee!

If you’ve been “recycling” but a lot of it’s not recyclable, let’s find out what you’re using so we can easily make some changes for the better.

So LET’S DO THIS!!!

1. Do keep recycling! In addition to the steps below, as they said in the video, 10% of recycling does get recycled, so definitely don’t chuck all your shit in landfill, as 10% compared to 0% is huge when you think of the scale of our recycling processes.

2. If the bottle/can has the ACTUAL recycling symbol on it (with no number inside) and is worth 10c, take it to cash in, or give it to someone who will.

3. Tip out your recycling bin.

Oh yeah! You heard me! Make a mess! Fuck it! Go home (unless you’re already there you lazy fucker!) and tip it all upside down.

What’s there? What’s in that big ole stinky pile will tell you what small changes you can make to reduce your plastic waste.

4. A lot of what’s in there can be reduced by a once a week trip to your local butcher, farmers markets and/or your local co-op.

Some examples:
- Meat packaging > go to your butcher and take your own containers, instead of getting supermarket packaged meat
- Dairy > get from your co-op and use their return and reuse systems
- Fruit and veg packaging > go to your local co-op or farmer’s market as they don’t use plastic packaging
- Household and cleaning supplies > free to fill up in your own containers at your local co-op

This shit might seem overwhelming. If you’ve got a long ingrained routine happening, a small lifestyle change can be so painful. But if you can do it, it’s worth it. And remember when you’re making changes no one is perfect. You might do it one week, and forget the next, but that’s okay. Get back on the bandwagon, before those plastic cowboys come getcha.

Yours in not-perfect-with-using-less-plastic-but-doing-my-best,
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