What Can I Put in My Yellow Bin? Mandurah’s Guide to Recycling Right

For the Lazies - A 30-Second Summary

If you live in Mandurah and find recycling confusing you are not alone. Your yellow-top bin is meant for items like cardboard, plastics, tins, and paper but not all plastics or soft materials make the cut. With Mandurah aiming to reduce landfill and prepare for new recycling infrastructure like SevenC’s Recycling opening in 2026, it is more important than ever to get it right. This guide helps you know what goes in and what stays out so you can support a cleaner, greener community.

Why Correct Recycling in Mandurah Matters

Mandurah residents generate thousands of tonnes of household waste each year and a big portion of that could be recycled correctly. Contamination in yellow bins remains one of the biggest issues preventing effective recycling. Incorrect items like soft plastics, textiles, and bagged waste spoil whole truckloads of recyclables.

As Mandurah prepares for future recycling initiatives including textile processing from SevenC’s Recycling, correct bin use is the first step toward a more circular economy.

What You Can Put in Your Yellow Bin in Mandurah

Have you ever asked yourself 'What exactly can i put in the yellow bin?". Here's your 'What can I put in my yellow bin, Mandurah focused.

Here is what is allowed in Mandurah’s yellow-top bin according to the City of Mandurah

• Clean cardboard and paper

• Plastic containers and bottles labelled with recycling symbols 1 and 2

• Aluminium and steel cans

• Glass bottles and jars (rinsed and lid removed)

• Milk and juice cartons

Pro tip: Always make sure items are empty, clean, and loose. Do not bag your recyclables.

Mandurah Recycling Guide

What NOT to Put in Your Yellow Bin

• Textiles, clothing, or shoes

• Soft plastics like plastic bags, cling wrap, or chip packets

• Food waste or dirty containers

• Nappies or sanitary items

• Electronic waste, batteries, or lightbulbs

Many of these items require special recycling channels and can spoil otherwise recyclable loads.

What to Do with Clothes and PET Plastics

Textiles and PET-based clothing should not go in your yellow bin. However, SevenC’s Recycling is set to launch a WA-based facility in 2026 to process these materials properly. In the meantime, consider donating reusable clothes to local op shops or look out for textile drop-off events in Mandurah.

To learn more about the future of PET recycling, visit our blogs here.

Common Yellow Bin Mistakes in Mandurah

Based on local waste audits, these are the top contamination problems:

• Bagged recyclables

• Dirty pizza boxes

• Clothing and textiles

• Soft plastics

If in doubt, leave it out or check the City of Mandurah’s A to Z Recycling Guide.

How to Help Mandurah Reduce Waste

Recycling properly helps reduce landfill costs, lower carbon emissions, and improve recovery rates. Here are some quick steps to follow:

• Learn what belongs in each bin

• Rinse containers and keep them loose

• Avoid placing textiles or soft plastics in the yellow bin

• Educate others in your household

Mandurah is on the path to a more sustainable future and every small action adds up. For up todate recycling guides check out the Mandurah Recycling Website here.

Ready to go beyond the bin? Stay updated on SevenC’s Recycling facility and how it will support Mandurah’s sustainability goals.