{"id":211333,"date":"2025-12-26T05:15:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T05:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/211333\/"},"modified":"2025-12-26T05:15:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T05:15:17","slug":"bin-warning-over-little-known-recycling-mistake-aussies-make-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/211333\/","title":{"rendered":"Bin warning over little-known recycling mistake Aussies make today"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now the presents have been unwrapped, your living room probably looks like you\u2019ve thrown one heck of a party. If you did the festive season proud, colourful paper, ribbons and gift tags are likely strewn all over your house.<\/p>\n

Soon you\u2019ll be heading into the kitchen to whip up a Christmas Day<\/a> feast, but before you gather up all of the torn wrapping paper and tidbits to pop them in the bin<\/a>, there is something you should know. Being privy will keep you from making a little-known when cleaning up.<\/p>\n

According to waste management company, Veolia, not all wrapping paper can be tossed into the recycling.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s best practice to save and reuse what you can for next year, that\u2019s not always the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cWrapping paper made from 100% paper can go in your yellow lid bin,\u201d a spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf tiny hands get all excited and tear their way to the gift, making the wrapping irrecoverable, then this is where it needs to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

How will you know if it\u2019s paper? Because it will be easy to tear, the spokesperson explained.<\/p>\n

However, on the other hand, metallic wrapping paper and paper with glitter or foil can\u2019t be recycled, so it will have to go in the red bin and eventually, into landfill.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Only wrapping paper made from 100 per cent paper can go into your yellow lid bin. Source: Yahoo News Australia<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not all bad news for those who have an eye for shiny things.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to give up the glitter to save the environment<\/a>,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is actually possible to make your own completely biodegradable \u2018edible\u2019 glitter.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to give it a shot, here\u2019s CSIRO\u2019s recipe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What other Christmas wrapping can\u2019t I recycle?<\/p>\n

In general, sticky tape itself is not recyclable, so it\u2019s best to remove it before tossing wrapping paper in the bin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe real challenge is putting it in the bin gracefully as you unstick it from one finger to only have it stick to another,\u201d the spokesperson joked.<\/p>\n

Metallic stick-on bows \u201cthat add bling\u201d to your presents will also have to go to the landfill.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all know the super Christmas stylists that see wrapping presents as a competition sport and love to top it with a glittering stick-on bow,\u201d they said, adding that thankfully, \u201cthe grand champions of wrapping have a solution\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cTie the ribbon into a fancy bow and then when the present is unwrapped, store that ribbon in a safe place and use it again next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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