An easy guide to recycling and waste minimisation Bin Placement Waste Hierarchy Reducing Waste Household Recycling Other Recycling Options Why Recycle? Resource Recovery Centres
2 Bin Placement 1. Prevent litter don t overfill If your bin is full, take the excess to a Transfer Station or save it and put it into your bin once it s been emptied. Introduction Waste is something we all generate and we can all help to reduce its impact. This booklet has been produced by Grampians Regional Waste Management Group and your Local Council to help you dispose of your waste in the most efficient way possible. Recycling reduces the amount of raw materials, water and energy required to make new products. Each household in our region recycles on average about 235 kilograms* of materials each year. Even though we are all recycling well, we have the opportunity to recycle even more. Around 60%** of items currently disposed of in residential garbage bins can be recycled or composted. By avoiding waste, reusing products and recycling, we can all make a difference in preserving our region s greatest assets. We hope this booklet will help you to find out how easy it is to reduce, reuse and recycle in all aspects of your life. *This figure is for 2009 10 recyclables collected at the kerbside. If recyclables and green waste collected at Transfer Stations are included this figure rises to 430kg per household. **GRWMG waste audit 2008/09 2. Contamination Some items can damage equipment and injure workers which adds cost to the community. Put the right thing in the right bin. 3. Not too close Keep at least a 1 metre space between bins. Place bins away from cars, trees, power poles and other obstructions. 1 metre 4. Timing Place your bins out on the kerbside the night before your collection day. 5. Bin placement Place bin close to the kerb with the wheels facing your property. 3 Bin Placement
4 Waste Hierarchy Next time you re going to the shops, doing a spring clean or throwing something out, use the waste hierarchy to help you minimise your waste. You ll be surprised at how easy it can be to make waste reduction part of your everyday life. The best way to deal with waste is not to create any! Buy only what you have to. Shop smart do you need it? Less garbage in your bin means less waste to landfill. Buy in bulk it ll save you money and is good for the environment. Buy things that are built to last. Avoid disposable items. Say yes to reuseable bags. Try to buy things with as little packaging as possible. Repair before replacing. Before you throw something in the bin, consider if you could reuse it. Donate old clothes, books, toys and furniture to charities. Reuse glass and plastic containers. Use old clothes for cleaning cloths and rags. The possibilities for reusing are endless! Typical Waste Bin in our Region Paper, glass, plastic and metal (tins and cans) can all be recycled and made into new things put these in your recycling bin or take them to your local Transfer Station. Landfill the final option. If you avoid, reduce, reuse and recycle, there should be hardly anything in your waste bin! Food Scraps Garden Waste Recycling Other 23% 18% 19% 40% Around 60% of items currently disposed of in a typical householders garbage bin could be recycled or composted. 5 Waste Heirarchy
6 Reducing Food Waste and Green Waste Tips to avoid food waste Never go food shopping when you re hungry. Work out a weekly meal plan for your household. Make a detailed shopping list avoid buying something you already have. Store your food appropriately to keep it fresher for longer. Think of ways to use your leftovers there are lots of great recipes out there. Take a look at www.foodwise. com.au for food saving tips and recipe ideas. Create food for your garden and reduce waste! Start composting at home. 41% of a typical household waste bin is made up of organic waste like food scraps and garden cuttings. Invest in a compost bin or worm farm to make good use of your organic waste keep it out of landfill and turn it into a resource instead! Litter Any piece of waste that is not where it should be is considered litter. It s more than just plastic bags and cigarette butts. Bottles or papers that blow out of your bin, dog poo that is not picked up by its owner it s all litter. Not only does it look bad, it has a harmful effect on the environment too. Make sure you bin it. LITTERING is illegal and you can be fined up to $6,000. If you see somebody littering from a vehicle, take down the registration number, time and place then phone the EPA Pollution Hotline on 1800 372 842 (1800 EPA VIC). Dumped Rubbish Dumping of rubbish is illegal. Please report any dumped rubbish to your Council Customer Service Department. Prevent Littering Use rubbish bins Clean up after your dog Use a personal cigarette butt container Reducing Waste Composting information and worm farm brochures are available by contacting GRWMG on 5358 5680 or by downloading from the GRWMG website. Why compost? Composting is an easy way to reduce waste. It is natural, inexpensive and is good for the environment. By turning food scraps and garden vegetation into compost you can improve soil quality and garden vitality conserve water recycle valuable nutrients and reduce the use of artificial fertilisers prevent greenhouse gas emissions and landfill impacts from wasted food and garden scraps 7
8 What Can Be Recycled Kerbside The following items can be placed in your recycling bin (yellow lid) IF IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT! Recycling tips Flatten bulky items Empty bottles and containers Scrape clean Glass, Bottles & Jars Aluminium Cans, Trays & Foil Steel Cans & Aerosols Milk & Juice Cartons Rigid dplastic Containers, Bottles & Trays Cardboard (flattened) Magazines, Newspapers & Phone Books All Paper including Envelopes & Junkmail NOT IN THIS BIN NO Plastic Bags NO Syringes NO Nappies NO Food Waste NO Garden Waste NO Polystyrene (including meat trays) NO Glassware or Window Glass NO Clothing or Shoes NO Crockery or Ceramics NO Light Globes NO Electronics NO Batteries 9 Household Recycling
10 What Can Be Recycled Other Options Recycling Chemical Containers drummuster is the national program for the collection and recycling of empty, cleaned metal and plastic agricultural and veterinary chemical containers. The container must carry the drummuster logo to be eligible for the scheme. Containers must be triple rinsed clean of the chemicals they contained for the protection of those who are shredding and crushing them for recycling. The drummuster product is recycled into useful everyday items such as street signs, irrigation piping, plant stakes and outdoor furniture. See pages 14 and 15 for drop off locations. For more information: www.drummuster.com.au ChemClear is the national program for the collection and disposal of unwanted currently registered agricultural and veterinary chemicals. The objective of the program is to minimise the accumulation of unwanted agvet chemicals held in storage or on farms which have potential risks to persons handling them, the environment, public health and trade. For more information: www.chemclear.com.au or phone 1800 008 182. Detox Your Home Household chemicals cannot be placed into kerbside bins or poured down the sink because they can harm the environment and can be dangerous to you and your pets. Detox Your Home allows you to dispose of these chemicals safely. You can go to any of the permanent facilities or use the mobile service. All Victorian householders can use any of the drop-off points free. For more information: free call 1800 353 233 or visit www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au for a complete list of accepted products and Detox Your Home collection locations. Mobile Phones MobileMuster is the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry. The program collects and recycles mobile phone handsets, batteries, chargers and accessories. For more information: www.mobilemuster.com.au. Unwanted Household Goods There are many people who could use your unwanted clean clothing, household furniture, children s toys, books and bric-a-brac. Donate to your local op shops or place in charity bins. Please don t abuse this valuable service by using charity bins as a way of getting rid of waste! Every time charities receive useless items they have to pay to dispose of them, which takes money away from people who need it. Printer Cartridges Cartridges 4 Planet Ark provide printer cartridge recycling all over Australia. Printer cartridges are made up of a complex combination of plastics, metals, foam, ink and toner. Throwing them into landfill represents a waste of resources. By recycling your cartridges you are helping to reduce this waste. To find a collection bin near you visit www.recyclingnearyou.com.au or call the Cartridges Hotline (1800 24 24 73). If something is not mentioned here don t hesitate to contact Grampians Regional Waste Management Group on 03 5358 5680. Other Disposal Options Asbestos If you have asbestos on your property, GRWMG, Councils and the EPA recommend you engage a professional removalist (look under asbestos removalists in your phone directory). For more information about the correct disposal of asbestos containing materials contact the EPA on 9695 2722 or WorkSafe Victoria on 1800 136 089. Skip Hire Various commercial collection options are available for hard waste disposal. Please refer to your phone directory under rubbish removers for contact details. Councils and GRWMG do not provide skip hire. Syringes Syringes and syringe containers are not recyclable and should not be placed in waste or recycling bins. Contact Council for information on sharps disposal. 11 Other Recycling Options
12 Why Recycle? Recycling Conserves Resources By recycling you are reducing the need to use precious natural resources. Recycling Saves Energy and Water Using recycled materials in the manufacturing process uses considerably less energy (up to 90%) than producing products from raw materials. Recycling Reduces Landfill Garbage in landfill creates methane and other gases and is one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions. How Recycling Works The contents of your recycling bin are processed at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). There are two MRFs in our region: VATMI 11 Haughton Street, Stawell Waste Busters Wimmera Recycling 44 Golf Course Road, Horsham STEP 1 Recyclables go into your Recycling Bin or you take them to your local Transfer Station STEP 2 All your recyclables end up at the MRF for sorting. Recycling Education Did you know that GRWMG has an education officer to assist schools and community groups with waste and recycling education programs? Contact GRWMG Education Officer on (03) 5358 5680 or email education@grampiansrwmg.vic.gov.au Community Recycling Trailers A recycling trailer is available for community groups to use at events in each of the four councils of Ararat Rural City, Northern Grampians Shire, Horsham Rural City and Yarriambiack Shire. The trailer is able to hold 15 recycling bins and will help your event reduce waste and be more sustainable. The trailers have been provided through funding from Sustainability Victoria and Grampians Regional Waste Management Group. For more information, and to book a trailer for your event, contact your Local Council. STEP 3 The recyclables are sorted by machines then by hand into material types, compressed and then baled. STEP 4 Bales are taken to be processed and made into new products. Used plastic materials into new products Frequently Asked Questions Why are some things that are recycled elsewhere not recycled in the Grampians region? Recycling only works if someone can make a business out of it. In some rural areas, some materials such as polystyrene are not viable for recycling because the prices paid for the commodities are not high enough to cover the cost of collection and transport. Do I need to wash my recyclable containers? Some time can pass before your recyclables are processed. Any food residue will start to decompose, smell and pose health risks to recycling workers. You can avoid wasting water by rinsing your empty recyclables with the last of the dish washing water. Ask yourself, would I like to deal with this in a months time? Some items, like paper and cans are recycled into the same product, whilst other materials are made into completely different things. For instance, a plastic bottle might be turned into a fleece jacket or a reusable plastic bag! The managers of the MRFs are passionate about recycling and try to find a use for every recyclable product they receive. Recyclables are accepted FREE at both MRFs during operating hours. A different vehicle empties your garbage bin and takes it to landfill. 13 Why Recycle?
14 Resource Recovery Centres You ll save both time and money if you SORT your waste into the categories shown BEFORE you go to the Resource Recovery Centres. Ararat Rural City Council Ph: 5355 0200 at all Transfer Stations except Moyston Ararat Surface Hill Road Tues to Fri 10.00 am 1.00 pm Sat and Sun 10.00 am 5.00 pm Open on Code Red (Catastrophic) fire danger rating days. Elmhurst McKay Street Thurs and Sun 1.00 pm 4.00 pm Lake Bolac Graham Road Wed and Sun 1.00 pm 5.00 pm Moyston Moyston West Road Wed 9.00 am 12.00 noon Sun 2.00 pm 5.00 pm Pomonal Pomonal East Road Wed and Sat 1.00 pm 4.00 pm Streatham Rubbish Tip Road Thurs 1.00 pm 4.00 pm Sun 10.00 am 12.00 noon Tatyoon Camp Road Tues 10.00 am 12.00 noon Sat 10.00 am 12.00 noon Willaura Wickliffe-Willaura Road Thurs 1.00 pm 5.00 pm Sun 9.00 am 1.00 pm Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Code Red (Catastrophic) fire danger rating days. THESE ITEMS ARE ACCEPTED FREE OF CHARGE All household recyclables Engine Oil up to 20 litres Horsham Rural City Council Ph: 5382 9777 Horsham Kenny Road Every day 10.00 am 5.00 pm at all Transfer Stations Jung Recreation Reserve Road First Sat of month 1.00 pm 4.00 pm Mt Zero Laharum Road Sat 9.00 am 12.00 noon Pimpinio Pimpinio Tip Road Every second Sat 9.00 am 12.00 noon Quantong 497 Lanes Avenue Wed 1.00 pm 4.00 pm Sat 9.00 am 4.00 pm Toolondo Rocklands Telangatuk Road Thurs 1.00 pm 4.00 pm Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Code Red (Catastrophic) fire danger rating days. Recyclables can be taken to Recycling Stations at Natimuk and Laharum. Scrap Metal Car Batteries Northern Grampians Shire Council Ph: 5358 8700 at Marnoo, St Arnaud and Stawell Glenorchy Arapiles Street Sun 1.00 pm 4.00 pm Great Western Metcalfe Road Sun 1.00 pm 4.00 pm Halls Gap Ararat-Halls Gap Road Wed and Sun 12.00 noon 5.00 pm (Christmas to Easter Fri 12.00 noon 5.00 pm) Marnoo Auvergne Road Third Fri and first Sun of month 12.00 noon 5.00 pm St Arnaud Old Wedderburn Road Tues, Fri, Sat and Sun 12.00 noon 5.00 pm Stawell Lavett Road Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun 12.00 noon 5.00 pm (Daylight Savings 1.00 pm 6.00 pm) Fri 12.00 noon 3.00 pm Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day, New Years Day and Code Red (Catastrophic) fire danger rating days. Yarriambiack Shire Council Ph: 5398 0100 at all Transfer Stations except Lah Beulah Birchip-Rainbow Road Wed 1.00 pm 3.00 pm Sun 2.00 pm 5.00 pm Hopetoun 8 Tip Road Tues 10.00 am 12.00 noon Thurs 2.00 pm 5.00 pm Sun 1.30 pm 5.30 pm Lah Henty Highway Closed until further notice due to flooding (1/8/11) Minyip Minyip Rich Avon Road Tues 1.00 pm 5.00 pm Thurs 8.00 am 12.00 noon Sun 1.00 pm 5.00 pm Murtoa Wimmera Highway Tues 8.00 am 12.00 noon Thurs 1.00 pm 5.00 pm Sun 1.00 pm 5.00 pm Patchewollock Walpeup Road Tues 2.00 pm 4.00 pm Sat 11.00 am 1.00 pm Rupanyup Boyd s Road Wed 9.00 am 12.00 noon Sun 1.00 pm 4.00 pm Speed/Tempy Calder Highway Wed 1.00 pm 3.00 pm Sat 8.00 am 10.00 am Warracknabeal Tip Road Tues 8.00 am 12.00 noon Wed 1.00 pm 5.00 pm Thurs 1.00 pm 5.00 pm Fri 8.00 am 12.00 noon Sat 8.00 am 12.00 noon Sun 1.00 pm 5.00 pm Woomelang Woomelang Tip Road Tues 1.00 pm 3.00 pm Sun 9.00 pm 12.00 noon Yaapeet Yaapeet Road Thurs and Sun 10.00 am 12.00 noon Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Code Red (Catastrophic) fire danger rating days. Total fire ban days open for first 2 hours only. Opening hours correct at time of printing. Check with your Local Council. THERE IS A CHARGE FOR THESE ITEMS Electronic Waste (E-waste) Tyres Bricks and Concrete Gas Bottles General Waste (non-putrescible) Mattresses Green Waste 15 Resource Recovery Centres
38 Wimmera Street Stawell VIC 3380 www.grampiansrwmg.vic.gov.au Ph: (03) 5358 5680 Email: info@grampiansrwmg.vic.gov.au For further information about waste management and where to recycle, head to the following websites: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au www.dse.vic.gov.au/waste www.epa.vic.gov.au www.recyclingnearyou.com.au DISCLAIMER The content of this booklet is provided for information purposes only. The Grampians Regional Waste Management Group (GRWMG) and its member Councils make no claim as to the accuracy or authenticity of the content of this publication and does not accept liability to any person for the information or advice provided in this document or incorporated into it by reference. The GRWMG and its member Councils do not accept liability for loss or damages incurred as a result of reliance placed upon the content of this document. This document is provided on the basis that all persons accessing it undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. The GRWMG thanks Waste Reduction Group and Central Murray Regional Waste Management Group for the use of information and images included in this document. Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks Kenmore-DMP May 2012 KDMP4580