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Recycling and Waste Management

Recycling and Waste Management in your Community

Did you know each person in NSW produces approximately 550kg of waste every year? The majority of this waste is taken to landfill sites where it can take hundreds of years to break down. Landfill can create problems for the environment by producing toxic, flammable greenhouse gases and contaminated water, called leachate, which can in turn pollute groundwater. Australians are amongst the world’s leading recyclers, but recycling can only reduce domestic waste by approximately 35%, leaving the other 65% to go to landfill.

Recycle – Council will provide you with a recycling bin that will be collected every second week.
Junkmail – Place a ‘No Junkmail’ sticker on your letterbox to reduce the amount of paper coming into your home. if you still receive junkmail you can contact the Distribution Standards Board on 1800 676 136.
Reuse – Reuse as much as possible. For example, use jars and tins for storing leftovers, use plastic shopping bags to line your bin, reuse aluminium pie plates for baking, give old tennis balls and stuffed toys to dogs, line kennels and pet beds with old clothes and carpet, and reuse old envelopes and paper as shopping lists or note paper.
Garage Sales – Much of what we throw away is useful to other people. Holding an annual garage sale or donating old clothes and household items to charity can reduce the amount that goes to waste.
Compost – 38% of household waste is food. All of this can be placed in a compost bin and reused in the garden. By combining food scraps with your garden waste, you can create an ongoing source of nutritious compost for the garden, reducing waste and saving money. Liquid waste such as leftover drinks and cooking fats will help the composting process. Compost bins can be purchased at many nurseries or at Council’s Customer Service Centre.
Wormfarms – Compost can be produced faster and will be more nutritious for the soil if waste is placed in a wormfarm. Both Red Worms and Tiger Worms can be used, and will eat most food scraps apart from onions, citrus fruit and meat. Wormfarm kits can be purchased at many nurseries or at the council’s Customer Service Centre.
Unwanted Medicines – Old medicines should be taken to your local pharmacy, where they will be destroyed free of charge. Please do not put them in the garbage or down the toilet, there they cause contamination, or pollute our waterways.
Paper and Printing – Reduce your paper use at home and in the office by printing on both sides of the paper. When your printer runs out of ink or toner, the cartridge can be recycled at any Australia Post or Harvey Norman store.
Batteries, Mobile Phones and Computers – Batteries, mobile phones and computers all contain toxic chemicals that can contaminate landfill. These items should be recycled where possible. Computers can be recycled through Dell Computers phone 1800 465 890 for further information. Mobile phones can be recycled through a number of outlets. Contact 1300 730 070 to find your nearest recycling point.