..

An ACT Government Waste Management Ini tiative ACT Government *

FORE W O RD

Welcome to the new Canberra recycling and household garbage service.

The ACT Government recognises the need to protect the environment and has responded to this concern by placing considerable emphasis on minimising waste through the practice of the 3Rs (reduce, re-use and recycle).

The newdomestic waste collection service has been designed to provide a comprehensive collection which will enable you to recycle at home. This will resul t in a significant reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill.

You will receive two bins for the new service, a 140-litre green garbage bin and a 240-litre recycling bin with a yellowlid. The bins are being supplied by the ACT Government.

This new service is an ACT Waste Management initiative. I have no doubt that it will serve as a benchmark for other cities in the field of recycling.

~{:k

David Lamont ML.A. Deputy ·chiefMinister Minislerfor Urban Services

INTRODU C TION

In this booklet you will find all the information you require to make best use of the newservice.

The garbage bin will be collected weekly while the recycling bin will be collected once per fortnight, on the same day of the week as the garbage collection.

Acalendar is enclosed which identifies your recycling and garbage collection days. Please keep it handy. It is magnetised and can be attached to your refrigerator.

CNy1.;;.~TS

Using the new bins • Page3

What to recycle . Paper

Glass

4

6 . 8

Cartons 9

Aluminium 10

Steel cans 11

Plastics 12

Where do your recyclables go? 14

Other recycling services ' 15

Organic waste . Garbage services '

f; 17

18

Other services 20

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2

USING THE NEW BINS

Commencing the service

The new garbage and recycling services for most Canberra suburbs will start from 1 December 1994. Garbage and recycling days are marked on the calendar supplied.

Some suburbs will have recycling collections commence in November and details of these will be notified through the media.

Using the service

The new system is designed to separate recyclables from waste. When you have finished using items, determine whether they can be recycled. If so, place them in the recycling bin (the one with the yellow lid). The remaining waste and all plastic bags are to be deposited in the garbage bin (the smaller green bin).

When to put out the bins

Put bins out for collection on the night before collection day. The collection days for each service are shown on the calendar supplied.

How to put your bins on the kerb

Bins should be placed near the kerb, with the front of the bin facing the road.

If you move house

Avoid trees and parked cars

Do not place the bins where trees or parked cars could obstruct collection.

The bins are the property of the ACT Government and have been allocated to each property and the serial number recorded.

Please do not take bins with you if you move. The new residents wrn need to use them.

Replacement of bins

If a bin is stolen please report the theft to the police, then contact the contractor for a replacement.

The contractor for recycling collections is BFI , telephone 260 1472.

The contractor for garbage collections is Thiess, telephone 260 1547.

Cleaning of bins

Residents are required to keep bins clean. Occasionally rinse out the bins or use a cleaning service. See page 20 for further details.

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3

WHAT TO

PLACE IN THE FRONT OF THE

RECYCLING BIN

PAPP.RAND CARDBOARD

Include all writing papers, junk mail, newspapers, magazines, paper packaging, flattened cardboard boxes, envelopes, egg cartons, telephone books etc.

RecyclingTargets 30 ....-~~~~~~~~---,

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• Paper • Cartons

Aluminium Plastic

• Glass Steel Cans

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4

RECYCLE

PLACE IN THE BACK OF THE RECYCLING HIN

GLASS CARTONS

Include all glass bottles and jars. Include all fruit juice and milk cartons.

PLASTICS

Include

PET& .®

HDPE & and

PVC & plastics only.

Al. l' :\I IN I tr ~j (~ANS,

\.Ll'MINIUM FOIL AND S'i'EEL CANS

Include all metal cans: drink cans, food cans, spray cans, pie trays and clean foil.

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5

RECYCl INC.

PAPER RECYCLING

T he recycling bin is divided into two sections. Paper goes into the front section.

Paper needs to be kept separate from other materials to ensure that it is not contaminated which may prevent it from being recycled.

It is important to keep the paper dry.

Wet paper is very heavy and can make The paper will be taken to a sorting

handling and reprocessing difficult. factory at Hume to be graded.

Newspapers, magazines, wrapping Newspapers and magazines are sent

paper, writing paper, computer paper, to Alburywhere they are recycled into

envelopes, egg cartons, cereal and newspapers.

detergent boxes, junk mail, telephone

The remaining paper is sent to thebooks and other paper packaging Australian Paper Mill in Sydney where should be deposited in the front of the it is recycled into cardboard.recycling bin.

Please flatten cardboard boxes and tear up large ones to ensu re that they do not jam in the bin .

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6

PAPE R RECYCL I NG

Basic

steps

in paper

recycling

H ow is the paper recycled? In essence, the paper is placed in a large pulping machine (much like a large · mixing bowl) water is added, and the paper is stirred up until all the fibres separate and form a pulp. After this process, contaminants such as inks are removed. ,, The pulp is sprayed on to large conveyor belts which pass

P L EASE DO NOT HECYC L E

waa;ed or plastic coated

papers

R EME M BER

cartons go in the back section of the recycling bin (page 9)

are meshed back together to produce new paper products.

This book is made from recycled paper manufactu red by Australian Paper. The company produces an extensive range of recycled paper products.

It is important that we all purchase recycled products whenever possible

to help establish markets andthrough a number of close the recycling loop.pressing and drying

processes to remove water, before the fibres

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7

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GLASS

G lass can be recycled endlessly.

All glass bottles and jars should be saved for recycling. This includes: wine and beer bottles, soft drink bottles, spirits bottles, sauce bottles, jam jars, coffee jars, spice jars, pickle jars etc.

Remember to remove caps, corks and lids. Rinse out dirty glass containers such as sauce bottles before recycling.

Please be careful not to break glass bottles and jars when placing them in the back section of the recycling bin. It makes sorting easier if bottles and jars arrive at the sorting factory in one piece.

Basic steps

in glass recycling

The glass is melted down in a furnace and reshaped into new glass bottles and jars without any loss of quality.

600 ml Milk Bottles

Canberra Milk uses refillable glass milk bottles. Please give these bottles back to your Milko rather than placing them in the recycling bin.

PU'.. \SF DO NO T

HFCYCLE

ceramics, light globes, cups,

glass as these have a plates, window or mirror To recycle bottles and jars

the glass is sorted into different chemicalthree colou rs, then composition andreturned to Sydney cannot be recycled.for recycling.

. ......................

8 L

CARTONS

C artons are manufactured from high quality paper fibre which is laminated between layers of plastic and/or foil.

Cartons are used for a very large range of dairy products including milk, cream and custard, as well as an extensive range of frui t juice drinks and long-life products.

To recycle your cartons just rinse, The pulp is then recycled into fine squash and drop into the back section quality writing paper. of the recycling bin.

Ifyou would like more information on Following collection the cartons are cartons, please write to: sorted from other recyclables and

Association of Liquidpaperboardpressed into large bales. Carton Manufacturers Inc.

These bales are sent to the Australian PO BOX 6250 Paper Mill at Nowra where the North Sydney NSW 2059 coatings are removed from the fibreboard through a pulping process.

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9

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I N

--1HF.'cYCl.l"\(i STEEL CANS

Basic steps

in can

recycling

S teel (tin) can recycling has been introduced in the new service. Many food and other household products come in cans.

Steel cans are lined with tin to prevent them from rusting. There is more steel than tin in each can.

Save all of the following cans for recycling: food cans, pet food cans, clean paint tins, empty spray cans, coffee tins, steel lids from jars etc.

Please rinse out cans to remove food residues. Drop cans into the back

] section of the recycling bin. At the sorting plant magnets are ~ used to separate steel cans from other materials .

The cans are then pressed into bales.

The bales are sent to Port Kembla, shredded and placed in large caustic baths where the tin is separated from the steel.

The tin is recovered for re-use and the steel is sent to BHP where it is smelted and made into new steel products.

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PLASTICS

~ L.2~ H DPE ( High Density Polyethylene) is used for the manufacture of two-litre milk bottles, smaller cream bottles and some fruit juice containers. They have a number 2 in a triangle on the base of the bottle.

Please recycle only white frosted HDPE containers. Do not recycle coloured plastics.

To save space in the recycling bin , please squash plastic bottles and containers.

Leave the lid on as these are made of the same type ofplasUc.

Following sorting at Hume, these plastics are sent to Melbourne where they are processed to make a range of drainage pipes, crates, pallets and detergent bottles.

Milk bottles are also processed into stormwater pipe. Some of this material is being purchased for use on public works projects around

The new garbage and recycling bins are madefrom a special grade of HDPE plastic which has a life ofup to 15 years. Our new bins are made from 30% recycled HDPE which came from old bins and bread crates. ~

l..3~ V inyl (polyvinyl chloride) bottles have a distinctive seam on both sides of the bottle and have the number 3 in a triangle on the base of the bottle. Vinyl is used mainlyfor cordial bottles and some fruit juices.

The collected bottles are sent to Melbourne where they are recycled into products such as drainage pipe.

lids on vinyl containers

PLE.\SE DO ;\!QTCanberra to help develop a HEC YC LEsustainable market.

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13

I N(,

WHERE DO YOUR RECYCLABLES GO?

T he recycling contractor for the ACT is Browning Ferris Industries (BFI).

Once a fortnight they will collect your recyclables and take them to the sorting factory in Hume.

The recycling bin does not have to be full to be put out.

The trucks used to collect the recyclables have two compartments. The top section is for glass, metals and plastics while the bottom section is for the paper. During emptying the divider in the recycling bin lines up with the divider on the vehicle. This ensures that the materials remain separated.

When the truck arrives back at the sorting factory, the paper is unloaded separately. All materials are then processed over sort lines.

Staff at the sorting factory separate the different products and prepare them for transport back to recycling factories.

Any enquiries on the recycling service should be directed to BFI on 260 1472.

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14

I: I- C \ l I I N < ~-

OTHER RECYCLING SERVICES

F rom time to time, you may find that you need to drop off larger quantities of materials than can be recycled through the kerbside recycling service.

Drop-off centre locations:

• Regional Recycling Centres: (for paper, glass, metals, plastics) Jolly Street, Belconnen Scollay Street, Tuggeranong Baillieu Court, Mitchell Botany Street, Phillip Belconnen Landfill Site Mugga Lane Landfill Site Ainslie Transfer Station

• Shopping Centres - Drop-off (for glass, metals, plastics) Chisholm Erindale Kambah Cooleman Court Manuka Dickson Civic Kippax Kaleen Palmerston

Clothing

There are a number of organisations in Canberra that collect used clothing for distribution and resale. These organisations have clothing bins located at most shopping centres around Canberra. This is a very good example of re-use at work in the community.

Revolve

Other usable items can be dropped off at Revolve, which runs salvage and recycling services at both landfill sites. Revolve is a community-based and non-profit organisation, which sells the materials collected and uses the funds to employ more people in its operations.

The range of timbers, building materials, bricks, furniture etc on display for sale at Revolve is extensive. If you're looking for a bargain, you will probably find it there_

Metals Recycling

_Car bodies, refrigerators, stoves and various other metals can be left in the metals yard at either of the landfill sites. The metal is crushed and sent to Sydney for reprocessing.

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15

H L C )· C I I ;\; ( ,

ORGANIC WASTE

G arden waste cannot be placed in either the garbage or recycling bins. However, almost all of your garden and kitchen wastes can be composted and turned into an excellent resource for the garden.

Composting is the natu ral breakdown of organic material by microbes to produce a dark, loose and earth-like substance. Earthworms also help in the process. You can put all your kitchen food scraps into your compost and also a large percentage of your garden waste.

The microbes in compost need oxygen (from air), nitrogen and phosphorus (from waste) and moisture. You can easily start composting in old garbage bins, wooden boxes, or in a heap. Special compost bins can also be purchased.

How .to compost

Start by obtaining a small lidded container to use in the kitchen for your vegetable scraps. It is best to empty the kitchen container every day.

With a basic enclosure or simple heap construction and a little care, composting is quick and easy. Locate it in a corner of the garden away from the house.

What to compost

Put these in the compost heap: • grass clippings • kitchen waste • frui t peelings • vegetable peelings • leaves • prunings (shredded) • tea leaves and bags • coffee grounds • eggshells • manure • hair • vacuum cleaner dust.

Keep these out: large branches, meat, fats, whole bones, plastic, diseased plants, plant seeds, rhizomes (underground stems) .

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16

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ORGANIC WASTE

Make it yourself

You can make compost in open heaps, but it may be better in some circumstances to use an enclosure or bin. Place organic materials into Lhe compost heap in layers, but never more than 10 cm thick. Keep moist but not wet. Add a li ttle soil from time to time if the decomposition slows down.

Try to encourage worms into your compost and you will be getting the added value of worm castings.

Worm farms

Worm farms for home use can be purchased locally from a number of outlets. For details contact ACT Waste Management on 2076323. Aworm farm, correctly managed, will help turn your kitchen wastes into a valuable soil conditioner.

What to do with larger garden waste

You may find from time to time that some of the green waste your

Larger garden waste can be shredded at home using shredders or mulchers which can be either purchased or hired. Another option is to use a mobile commercial mulching service. Details of contractors offering this service can be obtained by telephoning ACT Waste Management on 2076323.

Garden waste which you cannot recycle at home can be taken to one of the garden waste recyclers.

Corkhill Bros operate a garden waste recycling service at M ugga Lane landfill. Canberra Sand and Gravel have a similar service at the West Belconnen landfill and at Vicars Street, Mitchell. These sites operate seven days a week.

T.L. Distributors operate a. similar service at the Ainslie Transfer Station at weekends and public holidays only.

Garden waste delivered to these sites is recycled into a range of compost

and mulch which is availablegarden produces is too for sale.large to compost.

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17

GARBAGE

T he garbage contractor for the ACT is Thiess Environmental Services.

What can go into the garbage bins?

Please deposit waste that cannot be recycled into the garbage bin. Remember that a lot of food and kitchen scraps can be composted.

Using the garbage bin

The garbage bin does not have to be full to be put out. Please place the garbage bin out regularlyfor collection. Always place bins out for collection on the night before they are due to be collected.

If you have highly odorous material such as seafood, it can be wrapped, frozen and placed in your garbage bin the night before collection. Keeping your bin in a shady area will also help keep odours to a minimum.

When you place rubbish in the bin it will help to keep the bin clean if you

put your waste into old plastic bags. When plastic bags are full, tie securely at the top. This will prevent them from being blown around by the wind when the truck is emptied at the tip.

Use plastic bags for vacuum cleaner dust. This prevents the dust spilling out when the bin is emptied into the truck. Put light items into plastic bags with heavier items to help prevent wind-blown litter.

Remove the bin from the kerbside as soon as possible after it has been emptied. Do not use the bins for any other purpose or you may be held responsible if the bin is damaged through misuse.

If you have any queries concerning the garbage service, contact Thiess Environmental Services on 260 1547.

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18

-

GARBAGE

What cannot go in the garbage bin?

Regulations prohibit the following items from being placed in the garbage bin: • warm, hot or burning ashes • garden waste • commercial waste • industrial waste • building waste • rocks • soil • paint • solvent • heavy material which may

overload and damage the bin.

Waste Target 50~~~~~~~~~~

Projected targets

40

VJ

;l:l 30 §...., ~ ~ 20

10

0

household waste going to landfill

1994 1995

TIE A KNOT I N IT !

Before you put any plastic bags into the

rubbish bin, be sure to tie the bags into a

secure knot. This will keep them from blowing

around at the tip and creating litter.

Rather than throwing out your plastic bags and getting new ones re-use

them when you go shopping or take a string

bag instead.

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19

OTHER SERVICES

Cleaning the bins Experiencing problems

To clean the bins lay them on their If you experience problems using the side and give them a quick rinse with bins contact: the hose. Drain the water on to your garden.

The recycling contractor BFI, telephone 260 1472.

Koomarri will also be offering a or service to clean you r bins. You can call Koomarri on 258 7850 or The garbage contractor

280 6143. Thiess, telephone 260 1547.

Extra bins

If you find that you require additional garbage or recycling services, contact ACT Waste Management on 207 6323.

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