Buy Right Shopping Tips

There are four ways that you can 'Buy Right'. They're detailed below, followed by a list of the many surprising things that get made as a result of our recycling efforts!

1. Aim for less packaging.
   
   The '3R's of Waste Minimisation' are REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE.
   
   Packaging is important as it prevents waste caused by food spoiling. But do we really need every serve to be individually wrapped and extra layers to "seal in the freshness"?
   
   Try to avoid products that have excessive or unnecessary packaging. Vote with your consumer dollar!
2. Make sure that the products you buy have recyclable packaging, which can be recycled IN YOUR AREA.
   
   For example self-saucing puddings can come in steel cans and plastic tubs. Most councils collect steel food cans and they are fully recyclable. However, one brand of pudding comes in a plastic that is generally not collected by councils.
   
   Think about the waste that will be generated as a result of you buying that item and choose products accordingly.
3. Buy products that have recycled content in their packaging.
   
   Steel food cans, glass bottles, some soft drink bottles, aluminium cans and some cardboard boxes are made from recycled materials and are often recyclable after use. Choose items with this kind of packaging rather than packaging made entirely from virgin raw materials.
   
   It's important to 'buy recycled' as this creates a demand for recycled materials and keeps the recycling industries financially healthy. So support Australia's recycling industries and 'buy recycled' wherever possible.
4. Buy products made from recycled materials.
   
   Some products are themselves made from recycled materials, not just their packaging. For example SAFE toilet tissue is made from recycled office paper. Every year, 12,000 tonnes of clean office paper is turned into 35 million rolls of ‘SAFE’ toilet tissue.
   
   There are many other products that are made from recycled materials. The following is a sample of the diverse range of materials that currently contain recycled content.

PRODUCTS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS

PAPER PRODUCTS

Paper products that may contain recycled content include:-

• newspapers
• cereal boxes
• writing paper
• fast food bags
• cardboard containers
• wrapping paper
• tissues and towels (eg. SAFE toilet tissue and paper towels)
• animal bedding
• mulch
• insulation

PLASTIC PRODUCTS

Plastic products that can be made from recycled materials include:-

• soft drink bottles
• detergent bottles
• picnic tables
• office products
• bags
• bicycle racks
• carpeting
• highlighters
• markers
• benches
• thermometers
• brooms
• t-shirts
• jackets
• compost bins and worm farms
• mobile garbage bins
• landscaping materials

GLASS

Products that can be made from recycled glass include:-

• glass containers
• abrasives
• tiles
• insulation materials

STEEL

Various products that include recycled steel are:-

• automobiles
• refrigerators
• bicycles
• nails
• steel cans

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Construction materials that are made from recycled products include:-

• concrete
• bricks
• drain pipes
• fence posts and fencing
• thermal insulation

RUBBER PRODUCTS

Products that are made from recycled rubber include:-

• bulletin boards
• floor tiles and mats
• playground equipment
• traffic calming devices
• asphalt modifier

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation uses of recycled products include:-

• anti-freeze
• retread tyres
• re-refined oil