Think Before You Toss: 6 Non-Recyclables to Keep Out of the Bin

Key Takeaways

• Not all household waste is recyclable.
  
• Keep non-recyclables like greasy containers, used tissues, Styrofoam, and foil-lined packaging out of your recycling bin.
  
• These items can cause recycling contamination, leading to entire batches being rejected.
  
• Clothes, towels, and fabric scraps can jam machinery and need to be processed through specialised textile recycling.
  

Recycling Smarter: What Not to Put in the Bin

It’s easy to assume that anything resembling paper, plastic, or metal belongs in the recycling bin—but that’s not always the case. In fact, tossing the wrong items into your recycling bin could compromise the effectiveness of your recycling efforts. Across Singapore, these waste sorting mistakes have led to rising levels of recycling contamination, with entire loads being discarded because of just a few non-recyclables.

Here are six everyday items that you should keep out of your blue bins—and what to do instead.

1. Greasy Food Containers

That leftover fast-food wrapper might look recyclable, but the truth is less appetising. Once soaked in oil and sauce, the material becomes too contaminated to be processed at paper mills. The same goes for greasy pizza boxes—they’re non-recyclable and belong in the general waste bin.

Plastic takeaway containers, on the other hand, can be recycled if they’re thoroughly cleaned. Make sure to rinse off any leftover food, as food scraps and residue in dirty containers can contaminate entire batches. 

2. Used Paper Towels and Tissues

They’re paper, so they must be recyclable, right? Unfortunately, not once they’ve been used. Whether soaked with water, food, or cleaning chemicals, these materials no longer meet the cleanliness standards needed for paper recycling. Instead of tossing them into the recycling bin, used tissues and paper towels should go straight into general waste. If you’re looking to be more sustainable, consider swapping to reusable cloths or fabric napkins for everyday use.

3. Styrofoam Packaging

Polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam, may be lightweight and protective, but it's one of the most problematic non-recyclable household items. Found in food trays, disposable cups, and shipping packages, Styrofoam is not accepted in most curbside recycling schemes. Not only is it difficult and costly to recycle, it’s also prone to breaking into tiny, non-collectable bits that scatter and contaminate other items.

4. Plastic Packaging with Foil Linings

Snack lovers, take note: your potato chip bags and instant noodle wrappers are likely non-recyclable. Made from layers of plastic and foil fused together, this type of packaging is great for keeping food fresh and shelf-stable. However, the tightly bonded layers are costly and energy-intensive to separate, making them unsuitable for standard recycling facilities in Singapore. 

5. Rusty Metal Cans

Metal cans are usually recyclable, but not when they’re covered in heavy rust. While a little rust isn’t a dealbreaker, cans that are severely corroded can compromise the quality of recycled metal. If you come across a can that’s falling apart or too degraded, it’s best to dispose of it as general waste. To avoid this in future, rinse and dry cans before storing them for recycling.

6. Clothes and Textiles

Old T-shirts, worn-out towels, and fabric scraps should never go into the recycling bin. Unlike plastic or paper, textiles require specialised processes. Throwing them into a regular recycling bin can cause major problems, such as clogging machinery and disrupting the sorting system. 

Instead of discarding your old clothes, donate items in good condition or bring them to designated textile recycling points around Singapore. 

Bonus Tip: Use Recycling Stickers for Clearer Sorting

Want to make recycling easier for everyone at home or in the office? Start by labelling your bins clearly. Recycling stickers for bins are great for providing quick visual cues, helping everyone identify recyclables and non-recyclables with just a single glance.

This is especially helpful in shared spaces like pantries, common corridors, or office break rooms, where covered dustbins for pantry use might serve multiple purposes. Clear labelling helps reduce mistakes, minimise improper recycling, and build better habits across the board.

Let’s Keep Our Recycling Stream Clean

Every small step towards smarter recycling counts. By keeping these non-recyclables out of your bin, you help reduce contamination and support a more efficient waste disposal system in Singapore. If you’re ever unsure, pause and check the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) bin recycling guidelines on what can or cannot be tossed into our blue bins. Recycling correctly isn’t just the responsible thing to do—it’s a meaningful way to protect our environment.

Looking to upgrade your recycling setup at home or in the workplace? Ausko offers a wide range of solutions tailored for clarity, convenience, and hygiene. From recycling bins to sticker labels, we help make proper recycling and waste disposal simple and effective.

Contact us to get started.