Co-mingled & Mixed Recycling for Sydney Businesses
One yellow-lid bin for glass, cans, plastics and cartons — sorted at a licensed Materials Recovery Facility and diverted from landfill, with the right bin size and schedule for your site.
Glass, cans, plastics and cartons sorted at a Materials Recovery Facility
What Is Co-mingled & Mixed Recycling?
Co-mingled (or mixed) recycling is a single yellow-lid bin service that collects glass, aluminium and steel cans, rigid plastics, and paper-based cartons together, rather than requiring separate bins for each material. Everything collected is transported to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), where automated and manual sorting separates each material type for reprocessing — which is why correct participation (right materials, not bagged) matters more here than with source-separated streams.
Clean Waste supplies co-mingled recycling bins across Sydney, right-sized to your site, alongside your general waste, cardboard and organics streams under one account — with a free assessment to confirm the right bin size and frequency.
Contamination Is the Biggest Risk to Recycling Rates
Because everything in a co-mingled bin gets sorted together, the wrong items can contaminate an entire load.
Never bag your recyclables
Items placed in plastic bags inside a co-mingled bin usually can't be sorted at the MRF and the whole bag — recyclable contents included — often ends up landfilled anyway. Recyclables should always go into the bin loose, so sorting equipment can actually process them.
Recycling That Actually Gets Recycled
A yellow-lid bin only works if the material inside it is clean enough for the MRF to process.
From Bin to Materials Recovery Facility
Here's what happens to your co-mingled recycling after collection.
Free Site Assessment
We review your recyclables volume and recommend the right bin setup.
Bin Delivery
Yellow-lid bins are delivered with clear signage, ready for use.
Scheduled Collection
Bins are collected on a schedule and transported to a licensed MRF.
Sorting at the MRF
Automated and manual sorting separates glass, metal, plastic and cartons for reprocessing.
Documentation
Recycling volumes are reported back to support your sustainability reporting.
Co-mingled Recycling Bin Sizes
From a 120L wheelie bin to a 3m³ front lifter bin, sized to your site's actual recyclables volume.
What Can & Can't Go in a Co-mingled Bin
Correct sorting keeps loads clean enough for the MRF to actually process them.
✅ Accepted
- Glass bottles and jars (lids removed)
- Aluminium and steel cans
- Rigid plastic bottles and containers
- Paper-based cartons (milk, juice cartons)
- Empty aerosol cans
- Plastic lids and bottle caps (loose, not on the bottle)
❌ Not Accepted
- Recyclables placed in plastic bags
- Soft plastics — bread bags, cling wrap, plastic wrapping
- Cardboard and paper (use the cardboard recycling stream)
- Food-contaminated containers
- Broken glass loose in the bin (bag separately or contact us)
- General waste or organics mixed in
How Sorting Actually Works at the MRF
Understanding what happens after collection explains why correct participation matters so much.
- Screening: Material passes over screens that separate items by size and shape
- Magnets and eddy currents: Steel cans are pulled out by magnets, aluminium cans by induced currents
- Optical sorting: Infrared sensors identify and separate different plastic types automatically
- Manual quality control: Staff remove contaminants and items the machinery can't sort
- Baling: Sorted materials are baled by type, ready for sale to reprocessors
What Drives Your Co-mingled Recycling Cost
Clear quotes, no hidden fees — and diverting recyclables from general waste usually lowers your total bill.
Typical per-lift cost for a 120L–240L co-mingled bin in Greater Sydney.
Typical per-lift cost for a 660L–1,100L co-mingled bin in Sydney.
Typical per-lift cost for a 1.1m³–3m³ front lifter co-mingled bin.
Pricing depends on bin size, frequency and location. Request a free, itemised quote and we'll confirm your exact cost after a no-obligation site assessment.
Co-mingled Recycling for Every Sector
Any business generating glass, cans, plastics or cartons benefits from a right-sized recycling bin.
Co-mingled Recycling Across Greater Sydney
Consistent, on-schedule collection wherever your site is located.
Co-mingled & Mixed Recycling FAQs
Straight answers to the questions Sydney businesses ask most before setting up a service.
What is co-mingled recycling?
Co-mingled (or mixed) recycling is a single yellow-lid bin that collects glass, cans, rigid plastics and cartons together. Everything is transported to a Materials Recovery Facility where it's automatically and manually sorted by material type.
Should I bag my recyclables before putting them in the bin?
No. Recyclables should go into the bin loose. Bagged recyclables usually can't be processed by MRF sorting equipment, and the whole bag is often landfilled even though its contents were recyclable.
Can cardboard go in the co-mingled recycling bin?
No. Cardboard and paper are collected as a separate stream, since they're processed differently to glass, cans, plastics and cartons. See our Cardboard & Paper Recycling service for that stream.
What happens if my bin is contaminated?
Contaminated loads — containing soft plastics, food waste, or general rubbish — can be downgraded to general waste at the MRF, at extra cost. Clear signage and staff guidance are the most effective ways to prevent this.
What size bin do I need?
Small offices and cafés typically use a 120L–240L bin, hospitality venues and multi-tenant sites often need 660L–1,100L, and supermarkets or large venues may need a 1.1m³–3m³ front lifter bin. A free site assessment confirms the right size for your volume.
How much does co-mingled recycling cost in Sydney?
Per-lift costs range from $20–$40 for a 120L–240L bin, $45–$85 for a 660L–1,100L bin, and $80–$150 for a 1.1m³–3m³ front lifter bin in Greater Sydney. Contact us for a free, itemised quote.
Set Up Co-mingled Recycling Today
Free site assessment. Right-sized bins. Fully documented, every collection.