Article A do-gooder’s guide for recycling and donating. 23 March 2022 Read time: 5 min Can you recycle that in Melbourne, I hear you say? We’ve got the answers. Here at Kearney Group, we’re doing our best to make the world a better place – in all sorts of ways. From launching our very own ESG-rated ethical investments to seed funding the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab, we’re looking for ways to shake up the blah-blah-blah and do our bit. We got to chatting around the water cooler, sharing some tips and the names of great organisations doing wonders in our community. We were keen to find new and novel ways to minimise waste and our impact on people and our planet. It was such a hit amongst our team, we decided to pull together our “Do-Gooder’s Recycling & Donation Guide“. Our Guide is ever-changing. So be sure to bookmark this page. It includes just some of our favourite Melbourne / Australian-wide charities and businesses that are helping people to repair, repurpose or recycle common household goods that are otherwise doomed to hit the landfill. You can search, sort, filter this Guide and submit your hot tips to ensure this list is always expanding. Thanks for helping us make a positive impact in our community. And without further ado, we bring you our… Do-Gooder’s Recycling & Donation Guide. Here’s our ever-expanding Do-Gooder’s Recycling & Donation Guide for hard-to-recycle and difficult-to-donate items. Updated: 23 March 2022 ItemConditionReuse, repair, recycle?Who can help?Also try...Notes Baby items - bassinets, cots, clothing, prams, car seatsGoodReuse CharitySt Kilda MumsWest Welcome WagonSupport mothers, children via social workers / community orgs BatteriesBroken / SpentRecyclingOfficeworksBunnings Blister packs for medicationClean / EmptyRecyclingTerraCycleBiome BooksGoodReuseStreet LibrariesYour local Library Bottle topsAnyRecyclingBiomeCollects for Ocean Crusaders Bread tags - plastic onlyAnyRecyclingBread Tags for WheelchairsBiomeMany local schools collect for this charity too Brita water filtersAnyRecyclingTerra Cycle ClothingAnyReuse & RecyclingUpparelUpparel sends clean / good items to partner charities; recycles damaged textiles Clothing (Children's)GoodReuse CharitySt Kilda Mums Clothing (Men's)GoodReuse CharityAvalon CentreSupports ASRC and homeless community Clothing (Women's bras)GoodReuse CharitySupport the GirlsBiomeGold Coast-based charity Clothing (Women's maternity)GoodReuse CharityCaroline Chisholm SocietyMelbourne & Shepparton Clothing (Women's work clothing)GoodReuse CharityFitted for Work Coffee capsulesClean / EmptyRecyclingTerraCycleSeveral programs available through TerraCycle Contact lenses, plastic film and podsAnyRecyclingBiomeTry Lion's Club for new / unopened contacts Contact lenses, plastic film and podsNewReuse CharityLions Recycle for SightTry Biome for used contacts Cosmetics and makeup productsClean / EmptyRecyclingTerraCycleBiomeSeveral programs available through TerraCycle Dental hygiene - electric toothbrushesAnyRecyclingTerraCycle Dental hygiene - toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, floss, packaging etcClean / EmptyRecyclingTerraCycleBiome Egg cartonsClean / EmptyReuse CharityYour local farmers marketReturn to egg sellers Elastic bandsGoodReuse CharityCeresYour local farmers marketUse bands to bundle up food and veg from their farm EWasteBroken / SpentRecyclingCheck your council drop off centreOfficeworks Fabrics and haberdashery such as zips and buttonsGoodReuse CharityGreeve's Street Craft Project Craft Project offered by St Kilda Gatehouse Fabrics, textiles and fabric scrapsAnyReuse & RecyclingUpparelClean / good items deployed to partner charities; ripped / damaged items recycled FoodGoodReuse CharityASRCFoodbankAsylum Seekers Resource Centre provides frontline support to refugees and those seeking asylum Glasses - reading and sightGoodReuse CharityLions Recycle for SightPlease remove glasses from case before sending Hearing aidsGoodReuse CharityLions Recycle for SightYep! Not just glasses. Hearing aids too! Household cleaning productsClean / EmptyRecyclingTerraCycleSeveral programs available through TerraCycle Inflatable toys and pool floatsCleanRecyclingSunnylife Light globesAnySafe DisposalPlanetArk provides guidanceIKEA Linen and beddingGoodReuse CharityAvalon CentreWest Welcome WagonIncludes towels, bedding, pillows, sheets, blankets MattressesAnyRecyclingBed CollectCheck your council drop off centreBed Collect picks up old mattresses for a small fee MedicinesAnySafe DisposalYour local chemist Mobile phoneGood with cablesReuse CharityAvalon CentreDV Safe PhonesRemember to wipe data and include cables Mobile phoneAnyRepairPhone Cycle Mobile phoneBroken / SpentRecyclingMobile Muster NappiesNewReuse CharitySt Kilda MumsOpen bags okay to donate Printer cartridges - lazer or ink jetAnyRecyclingOfficeworks Shaving and razor bladesAnyRecyclingTerraCycleAny brand of razor, blade and packaging. Shoes, thongs and bootsAnyReuse & RecyclingUpparelClean / good items deployed to partner charities; lone / damaged items will be recycled Shoes, thongs and bootsBroken / SpentRecyclingTread LightlyDrop off at Rebel, The Athlete's Foot and more. SiliconeAnyRecyclingBiomeSilicone products purchased from Biome incl silicone straws, baking sheets, food and bottle covers, Joco cup lids... SocksGoodReuse CharityAvalon CentreWest Welcome WagonProvided to ASRC and homeless community Socks - odd socks, socks with holesBroken / SpentRecyclingUpparelUpparel only recycles socks; donate socks in good condition to Avalon Centre Soft plasticsClean / EmptyRecyclingColes / Woolworths (Redcycle)Drop at in-store drop off bins StyrofoamAnyRecyclingCheck your council drop off centre Thongs (Havianas Brand)AnyRecyclingTerraCycle ToiletriesNewReuse CharitySt Kilda MumsAvalon Centre Toxic Household ItemsAnySafe DisposalDetox Your HomeCheck your council drop off centre Toys - Any kindGoodReuse CharitySt Kilda MumsYour local Toy Library Toys - BrokenAnyRecyclingTerraCycleWill take any toy, in any condition incl broken and electric toys unsuitable for donation Toys - Plastic toysAnyRecyclingTerraCycleSeveral programs via TerraCycle Wet suits / Spring suitsAnyRecyclingTerraCycle Women's hygieneNewReuse CharitySt Kilda MumsNew menstrual cups, pads, tampons. Open packages okay when products are individually wrapped. Writing Utensils - pens, pencils, textasGoodReuse CharitySt Kilda MumsAlso take calculators and other new stationery for back to school packs Writing Utensils - pens, pencils, textasBroken / SpentRecyclingOfficeworksTerraCycle XraysAnyRecyclingCheck your council drop off centre OTHER ITEMSANYANYPlanetArkZero Waste FreebiesPlanetArk maintains a brilliant resource. Zero Waste Freebies is a Facebook group dedicated to re-homing basically anything