Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

General Waste Levy

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Wikipedia – Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. It is an alternative to “conventional” waste disposal that can save material and help lower greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling can prevent the waste of potentially useful materials and reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, thereby reducing: energy usage, air pollution (from incineration), and water pollution (from landfilling).

Our focus is on Reduce, Reuse & recycling and the redirection of waste away from landfill to alternative uses.

Not all our waste goes through our facility, so we use businesses and other waste disposal facilities that continue the sorting process. These companies apply a high level of extraction and resource recovery than is possible in our facility.  All waste goes through some form of reduction or recycling into saleable items or bio-energy.

We collect dry no putrescible waste that has high recyclable potential. For example, building and construction waste, household, business,  factory and household clean up waste.

Collected dry waste is sorted and separated into reusable materials. The waste materials pass through a sorting process that reclaims materials such as timber, concrete, metals, green waste etc. in preparation for recycling.

Products like recycled crushed concrete have a lower carbon footprint than equivalent new product extracted from a quarry [read more]. Items such as cardboard now use up to 90% of recycled cardboard in the manufacture of new products.

Local Councils such as Redlands have information to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Brisbane City Council also provides valuable information on its website so residents can inform themselves on what their local council does to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

At the beginning n of the recycling journey we need to simply reduce the volume of waste we generate.

Research Information

The Australian Department of Environment & Energy has some great information on ways to reduce, reuse and recycle

  • Limit the use of single-use and disposable products. Choose alternatives which can be re-used again.
  • Opt for products with minimal packaging where possible.
  • Refuse plastic bags when you don’t need them. Keep reusable bags handy so you remember to take them to the shops. You can also use boxes or your own shopping trolley bag or backpack.
  • When buying fruit and vegetables, put them into your trolley rather than plastic bags.
  • If you don’t read advertising mail, put a sign on your letterbox.
  • When building or renovating, build only what you need. Consider and think about your design. Reduce the demand for materials. Choose durable materials and finishes as they should last longer.

Consider repairing household items instead of replacing. This can be a great way to reduce waste and save money.

There are many ways to reuse household items:

  • Give unwanted clothes, household items, furniture or appliances to family or friends. Donate them to charities.
  • If purchasing something, try to find it second-hand. Or buy items containing recycled content.
  • Use washed takeaway containers as stackable containers for frozen food.
  • Glass jars to store food or other items, or pass them on to friends or groups who make jams.
  • Use small plastic bags to wrap wet and smelly rubbish or to pick up after your pet.
  • If building or renovating, consider using recycled materials i.e. windows, timber, floorboards. You can save money and add character at the same time.
  • Putting the wrong materials in your recycling bin may lead to large amounts of recyclable material being sent to landfill because it’s too difficult to separate them out.
  • It’s dangerous to put hazardous waste like batteries, motor oil, chemicals, paints, and used lighting products containing mercury including compact fluorescent lamps in kerbside recycling.
  • Find out what drop-off and recycling facilities are available in your local area. Local council – they may collect items for recycling.
  • Local council may provide e-waste recycling services for larger electronic and electrical products.
  • Roll aluminium foil into a ball and place it in a recycling bin, even if it has food stuck to it.
  • Compost your organic waste.

For more information on recycling refer to our Recycling page. If you would like to find out hwo we can help to reduce waste Contact us.