Take to drop-off points
There are specialists out there who recover items that cannot be put in the kerbside recycling bin. Things such as batteries, light bulbs, e-waste such as phones, TVs, computer equipment and broken electrical items, and hazardous wastes such as chemicals, boat flares, gas canisters and paint. And TAKING things to these drop-off facilities is easier than we might think.
Household bins are only part of the waste solution, that’s why taking things to a designated drop-off point is a GREAT thing to do.
It’s easier than you might think, with a lot of well-known stores accepting some e-waste and batteries (BatteryWorld, Coles, Woolworths and IKEA to name a few)! There are some hazardous waste you just cannot bin for safety reasons, and you can simply take these to a convenient specialist drop-off facility too. Check out your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility.
WasteSorted ways
There is an appropriate place for everything, and WasteSorted households have great ways to sort waste materials that do not belong in kerbside collection bins. These include everyday items (such as light bulbs and batteries), household hazardous waste (such as chemicals, boat flares, gas canisters and paint) and e-waste (such as computer equipment, broken electrical items, phones and TVs).
People who are GREAT Sorts:
- set up separate crates or boxes at home for these specialised waste collections
- take batteries, e-waste, chemicals and other household hazardous waste to special drop-off points – they link these trips to other activities such as taking the kids to sport or a trip to the hardware store
- schedule a day every few months to take these items to your local hazardous waste special drop-off point (find your local HHW facility)
Save them up, and when you are ready, just drop them off! It’s about thinking ‘Drop when you shop’ and ‘return’ those used batteries, globes, ink cartridges and phones when you are out buying new ones.
Drop off your specialised waste on your next shopping trip. Find your nearest drop-off points here: www.recycleright.wa.gov.au
Soft plastics and packaging
Soft or ‘scrunchable’ plastics cannot go in your recycling bin. This includes plastic bags, plastic food wrap, food packaging such as pasta, rice and cereal bags, and bubble wrap.
Currently throughout Australia, REDcycle soft plastic recycling collections are temporarily unavailable for use. It is hoped this is a short-term situation.
In the interim, if soft plastics are unavoidable, dispose of it in your general waste bin.
Hazardous waste - the things you just can't bin
We all use hazardous chemicals and materials in our homes every day – batteries, paint, household chemicals, aerosol cans and gas canisters – usually without thinking twice! When these items (known as household hazardous waste or HHW) reach the end of their useful lives, we need to take special care to dispose of them properly. They are often flammable, toxic, explosive or corrosive and cannot be disposed of in household bins.
Many people find it helpful to collect these items in separate crates or boxes at home and drop them to a special drop-off point when out and about.
Batteries, paint, household chemicals, aerosol cans and gas cylinders can all be taken to your local HHW facility.
Many items also have additional drop-off points to make it even easier to be a GREAT Sort.
Old household batteries (including button batteries such as those used in watches) can be dropped off at over 150 battery recycling bins around Perth, including a Planet Ark battery recycling bin, or into free dedicated battery recycling bins within IKEA, Battery World and Aldi supermarkets. Some local governments and schools also have collection points.
Nickel-based batteries (including most rechargeable batteries) can be taken to a local HHW facility.
Lithium and lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used for energy storage systems, can be dropped off at Battery World.
Mobile phone batteries can be recycled through the MobileMuster program.
Computer batteries are accepted in the Battery World program.
Motor vehicle batteries, which are lead acid, can be recycled through a national network of Battery Recycling Centres (free service) and at many garages.
Find out where you can recycle your batteries.
First of all, consider if the paint could be used or given to a friend – to brighten up a tired space, refresh outdoor furniture, or get the kids to use water-based paints for an arts and crafts session.
If you cannot use up the last bit of paint in the tin, all paint types can be dropped at your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility. Paint stripper, thinner and empty tins can also be recycled here.
Paintback also has 18 WA drop-off points and will accept up to 100 litres of paint stored in up to 20-litre containers per person, per visit.
Aerosols – because of their flammable content – cannot be recycled in your recycling bin. This includes cans of deodorant, whipped cream, paint or insect repellent.
Instead, take them (empty or otherwise) to your local HHW facility (which accepts all aerosol cans including CFC-based flammable paint and flammable pesticide). It’s a free service.
Aussies are a nation of ‘foodies’ and this often means we buy gas canisters or bottles to fire up the barbie or gas cylinders so we can enjoy a meal in the great outdoors.
Most gas bottles and cylinders can be refilled, so take them back to the supplier or to one of the hundreds of Kwik Gas cylinder exchange sites or SWAP‘n’GO participants for a recharge.
You can return gas bottles and cylinders to a local HHW facility. Many portable gas suppliers will also dispose of the bottles/cylinders.
Automotive LPG cylinders and large household cylinders should be returned to the supplier, as they are not accepted at most HHW facilities.
Anything that has a plug, battery or cord is considered e-waste! E-waste components are almost entirely recyclable (so long as they are kept out of landfill) which is a great reason to set these aside for specialist recycling. E-Waste is not accepted through your local HHW facility so check out your nearest drop-off centre.
One of the best ways to deal with your unwanted electronics is to give them to someone who does want them.
If your electronic hand-me-downs cannot find a new home among family, friends or neighbours, see if your local council offers e-waste collection (either on-demand, on special drop-off days at recycling centres or via bulk verge collections), or take them to a dedicated recycling drop-point such as MobileMuster.
For example, domestic quantities of e-waste can be dropped-off for free, seven days a week at Balcatta Recycling Centre and Tamala Park Recycling Centre.
Total Green Recycling and Perth E-Waste also offer an e-waste recycling service (fees apply), together with a data destruction service.
Take special waste in for a second chance!
There are many easy drop off points that don't charge you. Here is an easy list to find one in your local area