We accept lids from milk bottles, soft drink bottles and water bottles and those that have a recycling triangle in them showing the numbers 2,4 or 5. This also includes lids off tetra containers (but not the neck)

Unfortunately we can’t recycle the following:

• Lids smaller than a 10c coin. (sushi fish) You can put these inside a milk bottle to get recycled.
• Lids larger than a credit card. (vegemite, hot chocolate canisters, takeaway containers) These can go in your regular council recycling bin.
• Lids with two colours (eg: pump bottle, tomato sauce bottle, white medicine bottle with clear insert)
• Lids that have a hinge opening (many sauce bottles, spice bottles)
• Lids with a silicone insert, it’s squishy when you press it. (some juice bottles)
  

When we receive your lids they go through several stages of processing.

• Clean lids are colour sorted by volunteers
• The lids are then sorted by Polymer (plastic type) by experienced volunteers and employees. Each batch is checked three times to ensure purity of the final product.
• Polymer sorted lids are then shredded into small flakes.
• The flakes are used to produce new sustainable products by us and our recycling partners.
• These items are sold to the public to provide income to cover fixed overheads, (rent, insurance, machines) and wages.
• When items reach their end of life we accept them back (at no charge) and recycle them all over again.

It’s now your choice.

• Sign up for our service, simplify your recycling, provide employment for adults living with a disability and do good for the environment all at once.
• We offer a recycling service for clean and dry lids through Australia Post. Sign Up Here
• Washed, dried and colour sorted lids are still accepted at our HUB in the ACT during opening hours.

• Great work on collecting your lids! Simply sign up for a recycling bag and you can ship them straight to us from anywhere in Australia.
• Burnie Tasmania: Staff of the University of Tasmania and invited schools from Burnie may drop their lids of to the UTAS run Lids4Kids program.
• ACT and surrounds: You can drop them into our hub during opening hours (Link)
  

Members get a better recycling rate, loyalty points and can earn gifts using our referral code system. We highly recommend it. Receive a free membership when you sign up to one of our recycling services or you can join here.

Non-Members can still recycle with us, check out our non members recycling options here. (link to Town Coordinators program which will have the price list)

Unfortunately no, we can’t. You can sign up for our recycling services or drop them into the Hub in the ACT

Unfortunately multiple factors since 2020 has seen the demise of all the recycling options we previously had around Australia. Currently we only have two locations where lids can get recycled.

If you are one of thousands of dedicated volunteers from around Australia who put in countless hours collecting lids we applaud you! Here’s what you need to do:

• Register as a Town Coordinator
• Only collect lids from people you know and trust.
• Remove ineligible lids (link), and remove any paper or foam inserts.
• Ensure your lids are washed in warm soapy water, fully dried and colour sorted before you pack them for transport.
• Arrange transport to deliver your lids to the HUB in the ACT. Please book ahead for deliveries over 5 kg so we can make room for your delivery in the receiving bays.
• Bask in your glory by sharing photos on social media and collecting your loyalty points.

Absolutely! You can sign up for one of our recycling services. If you need a custom solution contact us through the “we wheelie wheelie love the earth” (link) to talk to our team about a custom solution.

Our amazing volunteers are the heart of our organisation and we are always happy to welcome more! As a Lids4Kids volunteer, you can assist us with the following:

• Sorting and preparing lids for recycling
• Promoting our organisation and mission to your local community
• Helping with fundraising and outreach activities
• Assisting with event planning and coordination

To express your interest in becoming a volunteer, visit our Hub in ACT or Burnie Tasmania.

Contact Us for further information

Lid4Kids has developed an enterprise program for businesses who wish to undertake significant recycling programs, have premises with public access and insurance and staff to adequately run the program.

We provide a full service consulting and brand package for entities who wish to drive higher impact and access our expert knowledge and guidance on recycling and sales and marketing avenues.

You can contact us executive@lids4kids.org.au for discussions.

For everyone else, sadly due to the high cost of transporting lids, increased insurance obligations and repeated incidences of overwhelmed volunteers this program is no longer available.

Lids4Kids no longer endorses drop off locations in personal homes, community locations or non registered businesses.

Please see our recycling services section for more information on how you can recycle with us or register as a Town Coordinator. (link to lots of lids)

Contact us
Our ACT Hub is open Mon-Sat from 10am to 2pm.