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Disposal of rapid antigen tests and face masks
Most of us know how to use a rapid antigen test, but do you know how to properly dispose of one?

You can:

  1. Put in your red landfill bin: The swab test kit tubes fluids and any parts that came in contact with body fluids should be double sealed in plastic and disposed of in your general rubbish. With the soft plastic recycling scheme currently on hold all soft plastics should also be directed to your red bin.
  2. Recycle in your yellow bin: The cardboard box paper instructions and packaging.

Millions of COVID rapid antigen tests are being used in homes and workplaces across Australia but sadly they can’t be recycled.

This isn’t because of the materials the tests are made from but rather the biological material that used tests contain which is potentially infectious and poses a risk.

Disposal of rapid antigen kits

The swab buffer tube and cassette (the part that shows your result) are all contaminated with biological waste from your nose or mouth so they can’t go in your yellow recycling bin.

According to advice from EPA Victoria you need to seal the test swab tubes fluids and any other contaminated material in a plastic bag then place it into a second bag such as a bin liner and seal that too. This can then go in your red landfill bin.

However there are some small ways to reduce the impact of waste from test kits. The cardboard box and instructional leaflet can be recycled in your yellow recycling bin.

While soft plastic bags or packaging that have not been contaminated can normally be recycled with other soft plastics at participating Coles and Woolworths supermarkets the scheme is currently on hold.

Disposable face masks

Much like rapid antigen tests disposable face masks – of which it is estimated a staggering 129 billion are thrown into landfill every month – also cannot go in your yellow recycling bin. 

However Terracycle offers a service that allows businesses and community groups to buy a zero-waste box for recycling non-woven disposable plastic-based face masks.

Unavoidable single-use waste has been another unfortunate consequence of the pandemic but it’s still important that everyone follows the rules to protect our community’s most vulnerable.