Recycling is a method of resource recovery involving the collection and processing of waste for use as a raw material in the manufacture of the same or similar non-waste product. The process of recycling includes the following:
– collection and transportation of recyclable materials;
– sorting of collected materials;
– consolidation and transfer of materials, and;
– material processing.
What is kerbside recycling?
In the 1980s, the kerbside recycling scheme was initially introduced in Sydney, and then spread out to other major centres. This collection scheme allowed Australian households to separate common wastes, which include paper, glass, PET, HDPE milk containers, juice cartons, steel cans among others. In 1992, a National Kerbside Recycling Strategy, which covered a range of voluntary recycling targets, was instituted. Australia became one of the first countries to involve all levels of industry and to have a national voluntary recycling plan. Skip bins are commonly used to segregate household and commercial wastes accordingly.
Here are some facts about the recycling sector in Australia that you should know:
· The Australian government is a main participant in the recycling sector.
The government of Australia is responsible for the legislation, strategies, and policy framework for waste at the national level. The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities works hand-in-hand with the territory governments on the National Waste Policy. The Australian government coordinates Australia’s responsibilities, as agreed, with international parties and convention. The territorial governments are the ones responsible for the policy regulation and compliance for recycling. The local councils, in turn, provide kerbside recycling collections for homes and some commercial premises, public place recycling centres, and resource recovery facilities, where people can deliver their recyclables.
· Australia is among the highest waste producers worldwide.
Australians generate almost 41 million tonnes of waste annually. That is roughly 1.9 tonnes of waste from each Australian. It is important to treat rubbish removal and disposal seriously, to ensure that wastes are disposed properly, or better yet, recycled for a new use.
· There are wastes not included in kerbside recycling.
Some wastes are not accepted in kerbside recycling provided by the local council. The most common wastes that are not accepted are plastic bags, disposable diapers, ceramics, cookware, oven-proof glass, light bulbs, broken drinking glass, medical glass, hazardous, and liquid wastes. Coordinate with your local council to be aware of the materials that they accept, as well as those that are not.
· Recycled materials were used in Australia as early as the 1800’s.
In 1815, the first Australian paper mill to use recycled materials was built. The paper mill used recycled rags to make paper. Waste paper collection from households began in 1920s in Melbourne.
· Organic wastes can be recycled.
Just under half (47%) of Australia’s household wastes is composed of organic wastes such as garden cuttings, food scraps, and other biodegradable material. Most local councils provide a bin for organic wastes. These organic wastes are turned into gardening and farming products, such as composts, fertilisers, and conditioners. However, there are some local councils who only accept certain organic wastes in their bin. Vermiculture, which refers to large scale worm farming, helps in the reduction of organic wastes. Human and animal wastes are both turned into fertilisers, which can be used in place of artificial fertilisers and pesticides.
· E-waste is one of Australia’s fastest growing wastes.
Australians are among the highest users of technology in the world. E-wastes include electrical and electronic equipment that have reached their end of life and are no longer used. These items contain hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, which need to be handled in a safe and correct manner. The Australian government, in partnership with territorial governments and industry, has developed the National Product Stewardship Scheme. Out of this came the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, which is operated and funded by the TV and computer industry. It allows households to deposit their old TVs and computers at selected collection locations across the country, free of charge.
There are other e-waste management schemes that deal with other kinds of e-wastes, such as the Mobile muster for mobile phones, Cartridges 4 Planet Ark for printer cartridges, and the Australian Battery Recycling Initiative.
For your skip bin hire in Newcastle, contact Skip the Tip.
Whether you are doing a general cleaning of your home, or just simply need to dispose of your wastes, hire a skip bin for your waste disposal. Skip the Tip is a locally owned and operated waste removal company which serves the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Hunter Valley and Central Coast areas. Skip the Tip offers a huge range of bin sizes for your waste needs, for a fixed weekly rate. Call 0414 375 375 for a quote now.
