Compostable packaging including cups and lids
The move to reduce the amount of single-use plastics has seen a rise in the compostable range of alternative items. But are we replacing one single-use or high turnover disposable material for another?
A better option to reduce waste is to use reusable items and avoid single use items. Reusable items include:
- water bottles
- coffee cups
- cutlery
- plates
- washable straws
- storage containers
- beeswax wraps
- cloth shopping bags.
Compostable packaging, liner bags and other items including compostable toothbrushes are typically made using organic starch from vegetables and grains.
Even if products are labelled as compostable, they might not break down effectively in your home composting system or through Council's contractors' composting process. This is because they require significant volume, heat, time, and processing.
Compostable items littered in the environment will still take a long time to break down and may be harmful to wildlife that are trapped by or try to ingest these materials.
Disposal / recycling options
Notes and conditions
- Do not put compostable products in the recycling bin (yellow lid), as they will be sorted as contamination and disposed in landfill.
Compostable cups, lids, bags and other products that look like plastic are not recyclable.
- Do not put compostable products in the garden organics bin (lime green lid), as they will contaminate the compost produced.
Compostable cups, lids, bags and other products, including items described by manufacturers as being compostable or meeting Australian Standards AS 5810 or AS4736 are not accepted in the garden organics bin.