Buying recycled is a choice many associate with op shops and online marketplaces, not with our major supermarkets, service stations, and department stores.

However, it is now possible to buy recycled even when buying new products.

There are two types of recycled options which are slowly but surely increasing in number on the shelves – the first is products containing recycled materials, and the second is packaging made from recycled materials.

Recycled products

Paper products

There are numerous paper products available to purchase, some of which have been on offer for a long time. Look for products marked with the Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC, standard and choose products marked FSC mix or FSC recycled.

Toilet paper is probably the most well-known FSC recycled product in the weekly shop readily available on supermarket shelves.

Other paper products that meet the FSC standard include:

• wrapping paper
• greeting cards
• paper towel
• paper plates
• straws
• kitty litter

as well as a huge range of office products and stationery.

Plastic products

While not as numerous as recycled paper, recycled plastic products are out there if you know where to look.

Bin bags of all sizes are readily available in the major supermarkets, including dog poo bags and nappy bags.

The other recycled plastic product making an appearance on supermarket shelves is the humble hairbrush – not something you buy every week, but maybe one to put on the list for the future.

Foil

When we checked with the big two supermarkets, they both had kitchen foil made from 100 percent recycled aluminium on their shelves.

Recycled packaging

While many of us are already trying our best to reduce the amount of packaging we purchase, it is sometimes difficult to do so. Choosing recycled can significantly reduce the environmental impact of unavoidable packaging.

Packaging made from recycled materials tends to fall into two main categories – well-publicised and the quiet achievers.

The well-publicised

Well publicised recycled packaging covers a somewhat random list of products:

Tip Top is slowly but surely changing its plastic bread tags to tags made from 100 percent recycled cardboard. The company estimates that doing so will eliminate 400 million plastic bread tags every year.

Many chocolate bar wrappers are now made from recycled paper. They appear almost exactly the same in size, shape and feel as their plastic predecessors, so next time you treat yourself, be sure to double check the wrapper before disposing of it.  

Many different cleaning products, for both your body and your clothes, are available in packaging made from at least 25 percent recycled product. Next time you need to purchase shampoo or laundry liquid take a few minutes to read the labelling on the front – many companies proudly advertise this fact.

The quiet achievers

There is already a good chance you have already been buying recycled packaging at the supermarket. Jars, egg cartons and cans commonly contain recycled content, even though they don’t specifically advertise it. 

Your dollar is your voice

No matter which way you do it, by choosing recycled at the checkout you are supporting our environment and sending a message to companies this is what consumers want!