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Recycling
Much of our rubbish ends up in landfill sites. Unfortunately, burying organic waste such as food and paper in landfill stops it decomposing naturally. Instead it breaks down anaerobically (that is, without oxygen), releasing methane - a potent “greenhouse gas” that contributes to global warming. And non-organic rubbish, such as plastics, often leach toxic chemicals into the earth as they decay.
Yet a lot of what we throw out could be reused by someone else or recycled into new products. Not only would that reduce the amount of toxins and methane from landfill, but it would also reduce the energy and natural resources needed to make new products to replace those we throw out. That makes recycling a double win for the environment.
About three-quarters of household waste can be either composted or easily recycled using your council recycling service. A compost heap or bin will take all fruit and vegetable scraps from your kitchen and turn them into fertiliser for your garden. Paper, cardboard, tins and glass bottles and jars can be easily recycling using your council's kerbside recycling service, as can certain types of plastic packaging. Your council should send a checklist to all households explaining exactly what items can be recycled in your area.
Most councils also have periodic kerbside collections of larger items such as appliances and furniture. Ask the council whether these items are recycled. Likewise, ask rubbish removal contractors how much they recycle.
There are many other simple ways to recycle things, such as giving them to charity shops or selling them at garage sales, car boot sales or on eBay.
A good way to find local recycling facilities for trickier items is the website www.recyclingnearyou.com.au. You can also try www.freecycle.org, a website where people literally give things away for free.
And don't forget to buy recycled products, to encourage the development of the recycling industry. You can now buy all sorts of recycled items, from paper to paving stones made from recycled plastic.
If you are building or renovating, visit salvage yards to see what reclaimed building materials they have available. You can often find quality fittings and materials for far less than buying them new. And using recycled bricks, timber flooring, pavers, tiles, window frames and the like can provide that touch of character and uniqueness that can make a home special.
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