How to Recycle Soy Sauce Fish Sachets in Australia
They’re tiny, they’re charming, and they’re almost universally thrown straight in the bin. The little fish-shaped soy sauce sachets tucked into sushi packs are one of those single-use plastic items that nobody really thinks about — but if you eat sushi regularly, they add up fast.
BRAD accepts them. Seriously. This is one of the most uniquely specific recycling programs in Australia, and the fact that you can now recycle soy sauce fish is genuinely something worth talking about.
What are soy sauce fish sachets?
Why they can’t go in the yellow bin
The same issues affect soy sauce fish as most small packaging items:
- They’re too small. Standard kerbside sorting machinery can’t handle items this size. They fall through screens and end up in landfill regardless of the bin.
- Food contamination. Residual soy sauce inside the sachet can contaminate a batch of recyclables.
- Mixed, awkward format. The little stopper-and-body design isn’t something kerbside MRFs are set up to capture, which is why they need a dedicated program.
How to prepare soy sauce fish for BRAD
- Empty completely. Squeeze out any remaining soy sauce and give the fish a quick rinse. This prevents leakage in your BRAD box.
- Keep the stopper. The small head/stopper is also plastic and can be sent to BRAD along with the fish body.
- Collect in a small jar. If you eat sushi regularly, a small jar near the kitchen bin is all you need. They take up almost no space.
How to recycle with BRAD
- Purchase a BRAD Pre-Paid Label. Labels are $15 for up to 2kg, or $30 for up to 4kg. Price includes postage and the full cost of recycling.
- Check your inbox. Within 2 hours you’ll receive an email with a form to complete. You’ll need your order number from your purchase confirmation. (If the email doesn’t arrive, contact info@banish.com.au.)
- Fill in the form and download your prepaid label. When you’re ready to send, complete the form and print or save your label.
- Pack and post. Attach the label to your box and drop it in a red Australia Post box or at your local post office.
- Track your parcel. You can follow its journey all the way to Banish. Your BRAD voucher arrives automatically — no slip required inside the box.
BRAD Sydney drop-off: Prefer to drop off in person? Head to the Banish Sustainability Hub at Sydney’s Central Station. Open Tuesday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Drop-off costs $10 per 2kg.
Other sushi packaging: what goes where
| Item | Yellow bin? | BRAD? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soy sauce fish sachets | No | Yes | Rinse before sending |
| Plastic sushi tray | Sometimes | No | Check if #1 or #2 plastic; must be clean |
| Plastic film/wrap lid | No | No | Soft plastic; supermarket drop-off if available |
| Wooden chopsticks | No | No | Compost or general waste |
| Cardboard box | Yes | No | Kerbside paper/cardboard recycling |
| Plastic soy sauce cup (small) | No | Yes | Too small for kerbside; BRAD accepts |
For the most up-to-date list, always check what BRAD does and doesn’t accept before sending items in. This Digital - How to BRAD Downloadable guide has an up-to-date printable page with everything that we do and don't accept.
Why this matters more than it seems
Australia’s sushi industry is enormous. There are over 2,000 sushi restaurants and takeaway outlets in Australia, plus sushi sold in supermarkets, airports, and cafes. If even a fraction of regular sushi consumers started collecting and recycling their soy sauce fish, the volume of small plastic diverted from landfill would be significant.
It’s also a genuinely shareable sustainability story. The fact that you can recycle soy sauce fish is the kind of specific, surprising fact that people tell others about — which is exactly the kind of awareness that drives change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can soy sauce fish sachets be recycled in Australia?
Yes, through BRAD. They can’t go in your yellow bin because they’re too small for kerbside sorting, but BRAD accepts them by post from anywhere in Australia.
What are soy sauce fish sachets made of?
They’re typically made from a polyethylene (PE) plastic, with a harder plastic stopper. Both the body and the stopper are accepted by BRAD.
Do I need to clean soy sauce fish before sending to BRAD?
Yes — empty the sachet completely and give it a quick rinse. This prevents leakage in your BRAD box and makes the recycling process cleaner.
How many soy sauce fish fit in a BRAD box?
Hundreds. They are extremely small and lightweight. Combine them with other BRAD items to get maximum value from your postage label.
Does BRAD accept other small sushi packaging?
Yes. Small plastic cups and other small plastic containers from sushi and takeaway can also be sent to BRAD if they’re too small for kerbside sorting. Always check the current accepted items list on the BRAD website to confirm.