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 answerFirstly, local councils run dedicated e-waste collection days for residents. You can find your council's contact details or nearest resource recovery centre here.
And depending on the items you wish to dispose of there are a number of other options:
Mobile Phones: Zoos Victoira's Gorilla Conservation Project They're calling on You and MobileMuster both recycle mobile phones.
Computers and their accessories: The Byteback program provides drop off locations to recycle computers and their associated accessories.
You can also contact the manufacturer to see if they offer a take-back scheme for your unwanted e-waste.
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. Depending on which council you live in, options include drop-off at a local transfer station or via collection through the hard waste collection your council offers. Search for your council's contact details here.
Expand for the full answerThe Federal Government is in the process of developing legislation that will enable the development of a national product stewardship scheme for televisions and computers. The scheme will establish a range of collection points for free drop-off of these items and is expected to commence within the next year.
Learn more about recycling different types of ewaste 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.
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If your question is a common or interesting one then we may add it to the questions and answers above
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