10th May 2021 / Prue Fletcher: RECYCLING | AM I DOING IT RIGHT?

RECYCLING: AM I DOING IT RIGHT?

Recycling is a huge issue and increasingly, Victorian households are looking at ways to 'do better' to live a more sustainable life.

Most of us have a handle on paper, plastics, green waste and food scraps, but when it comes to a few common yet tricky items in the home, it can often confuse even the cleanest of greens.

Pesticides, poisons, gas bottles and smoke detectors are all something we need to dispose of at some point in our lives, and although not every day, it's important we know the right avenues to dispose of these items safely.

So, here's some tips on how to correctly dispose of our household waste!

1. Batteries

E-waste has been banned from landfill since 2019. What is E-waste? E-waste is any item with a plug, battery or power cord that's no longer working or wanted. Some people call it
'electronic waste'.

Batteries of any type (including lithium) should never be placed in any household bin as they can be hazardous and cause fires if they get broken, punctured or overheat.

ALDI have specialised bins where you can leave your old and AAAs and Officeworks also provide a spot for you to dispose of old mobile phone batteries.

Head to https://batteryrecycling.org.au/ to find a local e-waste drop off near you.

2. Household cleaning products

These products often require specialised treatment and disposal as they can cause harm to both human health and the environment.

Things like:

• Fire extinguishers
• Motor oils, fuels and cooking oils
• Paint and paint-related products
• Solvents and household cleaners
• Pool chemicals
• Acids and alkalis
• Gas bottles
• Pesticides and herbicides

Detox Your Home Events provide a safe drive through and contactless free disposal service, for a full list of location sites, head to sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome.

3. Smoke detectors

You can dispose of domestic smoke detectors or alarms in your normal household rubbish. When a domestic smoke detector has replaceable batteries, you can remove the batteries from an undamaged smoke detector. **For a full list of changes to the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 (including advice on smoke alarms) head to our website fletchers.net.au/post/residential-tenancies-regulations-2021

4. Paint

Do you have cans of empty paint lying around from a lockdown DIY job? You're not alone! Household paint can be disposed of for FREE by contacting your local council to arrange for a kerb side collection.

5. Gas bottles

Gas bottles have many safety protocols, and once considered un-safe to remain in the 'Swap n Go' cycle (due to being damaged or broken) they must be disposed in the same manner, safely. To find out where you can dispose of gas bottles, please check the waste and recycling advice for your local council area. sustainability.vic.gov.au

6. Light globes

The best way to dispose of the light globes is dependent upon their type. Did you know that Fluorescent light globes and tubes contain mercury therefore requiring special disposal through your local council, commercial or community programs that safely separate their different elements.

Incandescent globes and halogens can be recycled through some of these programs or can simply be wrapped in paper and disposed of in the garbage bin. They are made from low value and non-toxic materials which makes recycling them very difficult.

Visit sustainability.vic.gov.au if you are unsure where to find through your local council. For commercial and industrial recycling of fluorescent lighting, visit fluorocycle.lightingcouncil.com.au

7. Oils, fuels, pesticides & poisons

It is important to dispose of chemical waste appropriately as they can have a serious impact on the environment if not handled correctly and can be hazardous if placed in the waste or recycling bins.

Household chemical waste and hazardous materials include:

• household cleaners
• automotive products
• garden chemicals
• paints
• thinners
• adhesives
• varnishes
• pool cleaners
• batteries
• gas canisters
• asbestos
• oils

Visit recyclingnearyou.com.au/MelbourneVIC for a full list of drop-off sites near you.

For business collection, ChemClear is the national collection program however does require a you to complete a prior registration process. Phone 1800 008 182 or visit chemclear.org.au to learn more.