HOW TO RECYCLE
How to recycle
Some simple habits in the household can help make the recycling industry more efficient and sustainable. The best way to prepare recyclables varies depending on the systems of the collection contractor. In Ballarat, it is best to:
- Leave tops on bottles and jars
- Rinse out recyclables before putting them in the recycling bin
- Place items loose in the recycling bin - don't pack them in plastic bags or tie up bundles of newspapers
- Break up small cardboard boxes before putting them in the bin
Greenwaste and foodwaste recycling
Greenwaste and food waste (both are called organics) can make up to 50% of the garbage being sent to landfill. When this material decomposes in landfill, it produces the greenhouse gas, Methane. To keep greenwaste out of landfill, choose one of the following options for greenwaste recycling in Ballarat. Click on the preferred method to find out more:
What happens to your recycling?
Materials in your recycling must be sorted, cleaned, shredded or crushed before being turned back into glass, plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, steel and aluminium cans. Generally, the recycled materials are mixed with a proportion of virgin material.
Plastic containers are baled (on left) and shredded (right) ready to be manufactured into new products.
Sometimes recycled containers are made into something completely different, for example, fleece jackets and garden furniture. Even mobile garbage bins have recycled plastic content.
If you recycle, remember to buy it back as recycled product.
Recycling farm chemical containers
The DrumMuster program allows plastic and steel farm chemical containers to be collected for recycling. Drums can be taken to the Gillies St Transfer Station for recycling. They must be triple rinsed clean of the chemicals they contained for the protection of those who are shredding and crushing them for recycling. The program is funded through a levy on agricultural chemicals at the point of sale.
For more information about Greenwaste and Autumn Leaf collections, click here.
e-WASTE RECYCLING
Have you ever been in a situation when you are moving house or doing a clean up and not known what to do with your old computer equipment, TV sets, mobile phones, white goods, batteries or DVD Players?
These products are known as e-waste and there are places in Ballarat where you can recycle these items for minimal to no cost.
To assist Ballarat residents Council has put together this list outlining what can be recycled and where.
Computer Equipment
Individuals and small businesses can recycle computer items via the
Byteback program. Unwanted computer equipment can be deposited at
Officeworks (166 Creswick Rd, Ballarat). Up to 10 items are accepted.
The Byteback program is being trialled in Victoria and is expected to run
until the end of 2009. It will assist the development of a national
framework for the responsible collection and disposal of end-of-life
computer equipment.
Further information about the Byteback program can be found at:www.bytebackaustralia.com.au
Television Sets
Televisions sets can be recycled at Council's Transfer Station in Gillies Street
for free and the Garden Recycling Centre in Learmonth Street for a small fee.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones and accessories contain concentrations of toxic heavy metals or other metals including cadmium, lead, nickel, mercury, manganese, lithium, zinc, arsenic, antimony, beryllium and copper.
Mobile phones can be recycled via the Aussie Recycling Program (ARP) and Mobile Muster program at numerous locations within Ballarat. These are mostly retail outlets but also Council's Phoenix building and Town Hall.
Further information about ARP can be found at: www.arp.net.au
Further information about Mobile Muster can be found at:www.mobilemuster.com.au
Batteries
All kinds and quantities of batteries can be recycled at Council's Transfer
Station in Gillies Street free of charge.
Fluorecent Tubes and Lamps
Residents can recycle fluorescent tubes and lamps at Council's Transfer Station in Gillies Street free of charge. They can also be recycled at designated collection points, retail outlets and Council's Customer Service Centre, via the Blinky Bulb program.
Further information about Blinky Bulb can be found at: www.blinkybulb.com.au
Printer and Toner Cartridges
Printer and toner cartridges can be recycled at Australia Post offices, Harvey Norman, Officeworks and cartridge suppliers free of charge.
White Goods
White goods can be recycled at ACE Metals in Coronet Street, Wendouree
free of charge.
DVD Players, CD Players and VHS Players
Metal entertainment devices can be recycled at the Garden Recycling
Centre in Learmonth Street free of charge.
So remember, you can recycle and think twice before you put it in the bin.