More recycling and disposal options

Cartridges

Australia Post and Harvey Norman outlets have drop-off bins for your used printer, photocopier & facsimile cartridges.  See www.recyclingnearyou.com.au for more information.

Computers

These organisations will take unwanted computers and hardware for recycling or to re-build and donate to disadvantaged communities:

Try these websites for more information on recycling of computers and other electronic goods:

Construction and Demolition Waste

Fridges

The Fridge Buyback program (funded through the NSW Government's Climate Change Fund) can help you get rid of your old, inefficient second fridge. Over the next three years, this program aims to collect, degas and recycle 19,000 fridges which will save over 150,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

You can receive free-in home collection by experienced removalists if 20 stairs or less are involved in removal and an incentive rebate of $35 if the removal involves 6 stairs or less. As part of this program, fridges must also be the second working fridge in the house, 250 litres or more and 10 or more years old. 

To take part and reduce your energy consumption and greenhouse emissions, go to www.fridgebuyback.com.au to register your interest or phone 1800 708 401.

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste includes chemicals, cleaning solvents, paints, pesticides, gas cylinders, car batteries, asbestos, pool chemicals, fluorescent tubes, fire extinguishers and motor oil.

  • Chemical Clean Out website provides information on dates and venues for collection of the hazardous waste above. Phone the environment line on 131 555 for more information.
  • WSN Environmental Solutions website provides information on your nearest Transfer Station/Waste Management Facility or phone 1300 651 116.

Household Items in Good and/or Working Condition

The following organizations will pick up white goods, mattresses, wardrobes, books, toys, electrical, clothing and other furniture for FREE if they are in good and/or working condition.  Make sure you phone and book first.

See www.freecycle.org – an electronic forum for advertising your unwanted items.  Your trash may be someone else’s treasure!

If items cannot be reused, try the following for correct disposal:

  • Woollahra Municipal Council – Council offers various disposal options including paid pick-ups and special event bins for parties and functions.
  • WSN Environmental Solutions – See www.wsn.com.au or phone 1300 651 116 for your nearest Transfer Station/Waste Management Facility.

Junk Mail

Stop all those unwanted, unaddressed flyers and catalogues from ending up in your mail by placing a 'No Advertising Material' sticker on your mailbox. Council can provide one for you. Pick one up from the customer service area at Council, or phone 9391 7966 to have one posted.

Mattresses

Recycle your old mattresses and stop them from ending up in landfill. Go to www.dreamsafe.com.au for more information.

Medicines

Any pharmacy will take unwanted and out of date medicines for safe disposal free of charge.  Visit the return unwanted medicines web site  or phone 1300 650 835 for more information.

Mobile Phones

Go to www.mobilemuster.com.au to find out where your nearest mobile phone drop off location is.

Organic Waste

Organic Waste includes fruit and vegetable scraps, tea bags, coffee grounds, egg shells, tissues, pizza boxes, hair, garden organics, grass clippings, weeds, prunings, leaf litter, small, twigs and branches, etc.  Composting is nature’s way of recycling organics.  You can compost at home using a compost bin or Worm Farm.  By recycling organics you will:

  • save money on synthetic and chemical fertilizers and water,
  • have a healthy garden free from drought and disease,
  • benefit from improved soil quality, and
  • save precious landfill space and resources.

Your organics are wasted in landfill and also contribute to creating greenhouse gases and polluting groundwater.  Compost bins and Worm Farms can be purchased from hardware and garden stores or from suppliers listed in the yellow pages under “Worm Farms”. See our section on composting and worm farms for more information.

Needles & Syringes

Please dispose of needles and syringes responsibly by taking them to your nearest hospital or try the Diabetes NSW web site for more information about responsible disposal. You can also phone the needles hotline on 1800 633 353 for more information.

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