Cling wrap

Why can’t cling wrap go in my recycling bin?

Cling wrap is a soft plastic which can’t be sorted at a recycling facility. Cling wrap goes in your rubbish bin, but that means they sit in landfill for years.

What to use instead of cling wrap?

Cling wrap is mainly used to keep food fresh. Luckily, there are lots of other options to keep your food fresher for longer.

You can:

• use reusable glass and plastic containers.
• cover food with a plate.
• use reusable beeswax, soy or silicon wraps.
• cover with foil which can be recycled. Find out how to dispose of aluminium foil.

Why can’t cling wrap go in my recycling bin?

Current recycling sorting facilities aren’t equipped to sort these softer types of plastic and they can get caught in equipment. This slows down the sorting lines and can even stop the equipment for periods of time.

Waste and recycling during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Household waste and recycling collections will continue as normal.

In metro Melbourne, council waste and recycling facilities are not open to the public. These facilities include collection, treatment, disposal and transfer stations. They will remain open for commercial contractors only.

In regional Victoria, facilities are open. Visitors must follow all directions and instructions for maintaining a COVIDSafe environment.

If you have unwanted items at home, hold onto them until these facilities re-open. For other options, check the waste and recycling advice for your local council area.

For more information on the roadmap across Victoria please refer to the Department of Health and Human Services.

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Want to recycle something else?

Search for another item to find out if it can go in your home recycling bin or if it needs to be dropped off somewhere else.