Recycle It Saturday: a free recycling drop-off event

Drop-off old household items like clothes, polystyrene, e-waste, soft plastics and more.

To help manage demand, this event is for City of Sydney residents only. Find out if you live in our local government area. Please bring ID with proof of address in case you’re asked.

What to expect

• This event will be contactless To ensure the health and safety of our employees and communities, physical distancing measures will be in place and our team will wear masks and gloves. If you’re unwell, stay home.

• Stay in your vehicle Our team will unpack your vehicle for you. This will reduce the spread of germs and get you on your way faster.

• Separate your items Before you arrive, group items into different bags, buckets or boxes. Pack these in your boot, backseat or trailer so we can safely remove them.

• People walking or cycling can access a separate drop-off area.

What you can bring

Clothes and textiles in good condition Including bedding, towels, handbags, shoes and hats in good condition.

No carpets, rugs, accessories, toys or jewellery.

Polystyrene / styrofoam From furniture or delivery packaging.

• Remove any tape and glue

• Bring smaller pieces in a box or bag.

Electrical items and batteries

• Televisions

• Home office equipment – computers, laptops, monitors, printers, projectors, stereos, DVD players, DVDs, CDs, video recorders

• Phones – mobiles and landlines

• Cords, chargers and headphones

• Small household appliances: vacuum cleaners, microwaves, toasters, heaters, coffee machines, ironing boards, pedestal fans

• Power tools (no gas or petrol powered items, please)

• Batteries (no car batteries).

Remember: delete your data.

Light bulbs (including energy saving or fluorescent globes/tubes) Wrap these in newspaper and bring them in a bag or box.

Soft plastics Including plastic packaging, films and wraps.

Bring them tied up in a plastic bag. A soft plastic can be easily scrunched into a ball.

Paint (water and oil-based accepted) Ensure lids are on tight. 

Household gas cylinders Including nitrogen, SodaStream and LPG bottles.

Large cardboard Bring it flattened.

X-ray, MRI and CT scans/films

Where it goes

• Soft plastics are turned into street furniture, fitness circuits and more.

• Clothes are resold in Sydney or developing countries, with 20% of profits going to charities.

• Polystyrene will be recycled into products such as building insulation, photo frames and walls.

• Electronics are sorted and broken down into usable parts. Batteries can be recycled into new ones. Mobile phone components can be use to make new technology, reducing the need for mining raw materials.

• Light bulbs are crushed and the glass wool can become home insulation.

• Gas bottles are inspected for reuse. Rejected bottles are shredded and the metal is recycled. The gas is recovered.

• Paint is blended into an alternate fuel used in cement manufacturing. 

• X-rays are harvested for silver and the plastic is recycled. 

Items we can’t accept

• No commercial, business or construction waste

• Whitegoods, mattresses, furniture

• Hazardous waste – chemicals and pesticides

• Car batteries, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers