Questions and answers regarding recycling and composting at home
Depending on the items you wish to dispose of there are a number of options:
Expand for the full answerYour television, computer, printer, keyboard, mouse and other accessories can be recycled for free through the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. The current drop-off locations in Victoria are listed here.
For all other e-waste, please see our page Things that don't go in the bin - Recycle.
You can opt out of regular deliveries by calling Directory Select on 1800 810 211, or by visiting directoryselect.com.au.
Expand for the full answerDirectory Select allows you to choose which books you do and do not wish to receive.
Your cancellation request lasts for three years, after which you will receive an email with an option to cancel for another three years. You can also restart deliveries at any time by calling 1800 810 211.
As an alternative to print, the Yellow Pages® and White Pages® books can also be accessed online, over the phone and on devices like T-Hub and from your mobile.
You can use this website's 'resource recovery centre' search function to find drop-off locations for recycling and disposal for a wide range of household items, including light globes. On the same page you can also search the list of metropolitan councils to find out more about the waste and recycling services provided by your local council.
Expand for the full answerAlternatively, you can visit Sustainability Victoria's, Detox Your Home, where you can search for a permanent facility or a mobile service to dispose of fluorescent tubes and compacts fluorescent globes (CFLs).
You can view Sustainability Victoria's guidelines regarding end-of-life option for treated timber here, and on the Treated Timber website.
Expand for the full answer
Audio and video cassette tapes can be recycled or content transferred to CD or DVD for storage. Planet Ark's Business Recycling website offers some useful links and information for recycling video and audio cassettes.
Expand for the full answerYou can also check with your local council to see if they offer a recycling program.
There are many options for recycling your old television to divert the precious metals and toxic material from going to landfill. The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme has been launched by the Federal Government, providing householders and small business access to free recycling facilities for televisions, printers, computer products (mice, keyboards, hard drives) and computers regardless of brand and age. Find the current drop off locations in Victoria here.
Expand for the full answerLearn more about recycling different types of e-waste here.
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Questions and answers regarding recycling and composting at work
There are two options, worm farms and the Bokashi composting method.
Expand for the full answerWorm farms can be purchased from any hardware store, green store and through councils, such as City of Melbourne.
It is good to compare cost, shape, size, colour, etc, so as to find the best fit for your needs. Here are a few options that you may like to consider:
The MaxAir kitchen tidy holds 8L of compost in breathable BioBags (made from corn starch) that can be put directly into the worm farm.
Click here for information on the Bokashi Bucket and composting system.
There is an Australian Standard® for mobile waste containers AS 4123 - 2006 (part 7 relates to colours, markings, and designation requirements). You will need to purchase the standard to get the detail as it is licensed to users. In terms of kerbside the lid colours of red (garbage), yellow (commingled recycling) and lime green (organics) are listed in the standard. The standard lists other colours that may be important to other streams. Click here (page 15).
One of the questions we get asked most is about benchmarking waste. Although a target of zero waste is ideal, most employees generate waste. The type and quantity will vary greatly from organisation to organisation. We've included a study here, which quotes best practice at around 33kg/FTE per annum. For commercial buildings it can be a lot higher.
Expand for the full answerOur recommendation is to start measuring your current rate and set reduction targets to be reviewed annually.
A good place to start is the Business Recycling website. Try searching under the paper & cardboard category, and select cardboard-waxed under materials to find options in your locality.
Your best option is probably to visit Planet Ark's recycling website, where you can do a search for your nearest recycling centres/businesses that take plastic strapping by selecting:
Expand for the full answerPlastics
Plastic Strapping
Suburb
Postcode
Below are two websites that show the disposal options in your local area.
Expand for the full answerFirstly, check out drumMUSTER for their collection locations and information about preparation of the drums for recycling.
Secondly, Business Recycling has a search function that shows the collection and drop-off options. Search under the ‘metals’ category, and select ‘chemical drums’ under materials to find options in your locality.
Converting waste data to weight when calculating greenhouse gas emissions is easy with the use of this spreadsheet that uses the accepted density of common waste items.
To find out how to 'save paper' at your business check out the new website SavePaper.com.au
Find out how to safely dispose of gas cyclinders here.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has developed ' Effective solutions for e-waste in your practice', a resource for GPs, practice owners and practice managers on correct disposal of e-waste from their practice.
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