Howdy Partner! Still not sure where to recycle blister packs, lotion bottles, toothpaste tubes and all your other hard-to-recycle household items? Search no more with BRAD!
We've compiled a list of our most asked questions to help you recycle with banish.
What is BRAD?
BRAD stands for Banish Recycling And Disposal Program, head to the main page here to find out everything you need to know.
What items does BRAD accept?
Click here for the full list, or download the PDF and save it somewhere special.
How does BRAD work?
BRAD is one of Australia's most comprehensive household recycling programs a one stop spot for hard to recycle items. We receive mixed boxes of hard to recycle items, sort them into each different waste stream and then they are sent to Australian recyclers to be recycled! The reason why so many local councils don't take these items is because they are so hard to recycle it costs them too much money. Banish pays for most streams to be recycled which is why using your $15 voucher helps to fund the program and keep it going.
Do you accept prescription and over the counter blister packs?
You're lucky that BRAD isn't too fussy so it's a big YES to both of these.
How many items can you send in at a time?
As many as you like! But to be eligible for a voucher please send in at least five items and there is a limit of 1 return per customer per month. Vouchers can only be used one at a time.
How should I send my items to BRAD?
BRAD loves it when you reuse something you've already got at home, for example you could fill an old shoe box, turn an old shipping satchel inside out or reuse some of the packaging from your last Banish order.
How can my local community group, business, office or school start a relationship with BRAD?
BRAD only accepts personal donations but if there's more than one of you BRAD would love to chat more ;) send an email to brad@banish.com.au and we can talk details.
Do the coffee pods need to be emptied first?
BRAD loves coffee so please don't empty the pods, leave them for a couple of days to dry out and then send them through. BRAD isn't a coffee snob and accepts all brands.
What happens to the products that we recycle?
We receive your parcel, sort it into the relevant waste stream and then it is recycled. All of the waste that we collect is recycled onshore in Australia. Here are a couple of the partners that we use.
We partner with Terracycle and participate in the following programs:
- Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program
- Garnier Green Beauty Recycling Program
- Gillette Razor Recycling Program
- L'OR, Moccona & illy Capsules Recycling Program
- NESCAFE Dolce Gusto Capsule Recycling Program
- Writing Instruments Recycling Program
- Kitchen Separation Zero Waste Box
Watch the video below to find out about Terracycle's full process.
We also use other local recyclers like Lids4Kids, The Breadtag Project and Simply Cups. We will be releasing a report in early 2022 with more information about our process.
Who pays for shipping?
In exciting news we do! We have launched BRAD Pre-paid so you pay $15 for your recycling tp be recycled and posted and still get a $15 voucher to spend at Banish, more info here.
Why do I have to spend $50 to use my voucher?
One of the reasons why so many local councils don't accept these items in your kerbside recycling bin is that they either hold no resale value so need to pay for them to be recycled or they need to go to small specialised facilities to be recycled which is another expense. As a small business Banish covers all of these costs which is why there is a minimum spend required.
Does BRAD accept bottle tops from milk containers, juice bottles etc?
BRAD does accept plastic bottle tops, please do not send through metal tops from wine, kombucha and beer bottles.
Can you drop off your recycling?
We are excited to open BRAD Drop Offs at our new Sydney Sustainability Hub! All you need to do is purchase a BRAD drop-off for $10, pop into our Sydney Sustainability Hub and recycle with us! You can drop off anytime between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday at Shop 19, 2 Lee Street, Haymarket NSW 2000. Find out more.
How long will it take for me to receive my voucher?
We have been blown away by the number of parcels that we're receiving each week. If you haven't received an email from us within a month of posting your box please email brad@banish.com.au with your tracking number and we will sort it out for you.
What can I use my voucher on?
Your recycling voucher is valid on all items at the Banish store, your order just needs to be over $50. Please note that you cannot use the voucher with any other codes. And only one recycling voucher can be used per transaction.
I live overseas, can I send you items to recycle?
At this stage we only accept parcels from Australians as sending us your products from far away lands is carbon intensive and costly for everyone.
In the UK, Boots offers a similar program and in the US you could go directly to Terracycle.
Together we have saved an astonishing amount of plastic from damaging the natural environment. Plastic that has now been repurposed into thousands of new products that will be used for many many years to come, so for that thank you!
Here's a round up of our first 12 months.
If you have any other questions please send us an email brad@banish.com.au.
1 comment
What a fantastic job you’re doing and your products are great too. It’s great to know that I can now recycle contact lense cases, blister packs etc.