Recycling Guide (in Oz)
June 27th 2007 06:28
One of the first ways that most people begin to think about being more environmental in their actions is through recycling and household waste reduction. So I am going to cover just how to do that in today’s post.
Recycling
These days it is pretty easy to recycle most household products as they usually have recycling logos on the packaging, that can then be matched up to the logos on your local council recycling bin. This enables us to make sure, when recycling waste products such as plastic containers and glass bottles, that the council actually recycles these types of materials before putting them in with the recycling. Pretty much all people understand this when recycling, however, most people do not realise that containers need to be cleaned of waste before putting them in your recycle bin. I usually put all my recyclable materials aside in the kitchen, and then each night when I wash the dishes, I rinse the dirty containers at the end of washing up before putting them in the recycle bin.
Most councils provide information on what and how to recycle on their websites. For example, within my local council, I am able to recycle: glass jars and bottles, aluminium and steel cans, newspapers and magazines, milk and juice cartons, junk mail, cardboard boxes, aerosol cans, and all plastic containers with one of these symbols displayed:
What my council says I cannot recycle is: plastic bags, food scraps, garden waste, building material and polystyrene. Some councils, such as my mum’s, are lucky enough to also have a garden waste bin which is taken away by the council and later made into compost (great, I know!). But like I said before, what can be recycled varies depending on your council, even the type of recyclable plastic accepted varies, so you really do need to check your local council website.
The last of tips my council gives, so you can be recycling champions (both the best and forwarders of the cause…) are: crush your cartons, plastic bottles and aluminium cans, cut or tear up cardboard boxes so they fit more easily into the bin, and rinse out bottles and cans (like I said earlier).
Other products that cannot be put into your local council recycling bin but can be recycled include: mobile phones, printer cartridges, computers and printers, plastic supermarket bags, corks, household chemicals such as paint etc, cars and car parts, furniture and household goods and appliances. You just need to contact the relevant organisation. For a list of organisations or companies who do recycle these products go to http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=160.
Now you’re well on your way to making those people sorting out your recycling very happy, as well as doing your bit to help reduce waste, but of course, the best way to help is to buy less!
Next… what to do with your food scraps and green waste… composting and worm farms.
Recycling
These days it is pretty easy to recycle most household products as they usually have recycling logos on the packaging, that can then be matched up to the logos on your local council recycling bin. This enables us to make sure, when recycling waste products such as plastic containers and glass bottles, that the council actually recycles these types of materials before putting them in with the recycling. Pretty much all people understand this when recycling, however, most people do not realise that containers need to be cleaned of waste before putting them in your recycle bin. I usually put all my recyclable materials aside in the kitchen, and then each night when I wash the dishes, I rinse the dirty containers at the end of washing up before putting them in the recycle bin.
Most councils provide information on what and how to recycle on their websites. For example, within my local council, I am able to recycle: glass jars and bottles, aluminium and steel cans, newspapers and magazines, milk and juice cartons, junk mail, cardboard boxes, aerosol cans, and all plastic containers with one of these symbols displayed:
What my council says I cannot recycle is: plastic bags, food scraps, garden waste, building material and polystyrene. Some councils, such as my mum’s, are lucky enough to also have a garden waste bin which is taken away by the council and later made into compost (great, I know!). But like I said before, what can be recycled varies depending on your council, even the type of recyclable plastic accepted varies, so you really do need to check your local council website.
The last of tips my council gives, so you can be recycling champions (both the best and forwarders of the cause…) are: crush your cartons, plastic bottles and aluminium cans, cut or tear up cardboard boxes so they fit more easily into the bin, and rinse out bottles and cans (like I said earlier).
Other products that cannot be put into your local council recycling bin but can be recycled include: mobile phones, printer cartridges, computers and printers, plastic supermarket bags, corks, household chemicals such as paint etc, cars and car parts, furniture and household goods and appliances. You just need to contact the relevant organisation. For a list of organisations or companies who do recycle these products go to http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=160.
Now you’re well on your way to making those people sorting out your recycling very happy, as well as doing your bit to help reduce waste, but of course, the best way to help is to buy less!
Next… what to do with your food scraps and green waste… composting and worm farms.
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Comment by Georgina Calvi
on New Reading Home kit 2007-08
All Things Sustainable
Thanks for the encouraging post on my site. I'll let you know if I hear any exciting soccer tidbits as my cousin works on the SBS sport show...