Christmas paper, tissue, boxes, cardboard and other paper-based wrappings can all be recycled.
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That’s the message from Cradle Coast waste and environment officer Michael Attard, who said there’s a big spike in waste and recycling from Christmas presents and holidays.
But he said it was important just to scrunch gift wrappings up and toss them into the bin.
“The thing to remember is not to put it in plastic bags and into the recycling bin.
“As soon as it goes into a plastic bag, the production line doesn’t know whether it’s waste, hazardous or recycling, so it goes straight on (to the landfill).
“The message is, for kerbside recycling, bunch your Christmas wrapping paper up but don’t put it into a plastic bag.”
Mr Attard said there was a spike in waste and recycling over Christmas as people threw out the wrapping from all the things they’d bought.
There were also a lot of batteries thrown out, as people used them for camping, electronic games and gadgets.
“If you’re going camping, take a look at the local council website and find the nearest transfer station and they’ll have a list of recycling - for cardboard and especially batteries with camping and the games.
“A lot of waste transfer stations offer e-waste recycling which is a massively growing waste stream.”
Mr Attard said Australia was not allowed to send its e-waste to developing countries.
“E-waste is collected here and goes to Victoria, where it goes through a blue box processor, a machine that recycles 95 per cent of an item.”
His waste management group had a few tips on managing waste and recycling during the break.
- Take the lids off plastic and glass bottles that go into the kerbside recycling bin and put the lids in the garbage.
- Collect flat household batteries and recycle them at the local council or waste transfer station.
- Put recycling loose and mingled in the kerbside recycling bin.
- Borrow or hire anything you need for a party.
- Contact the council for e-waste recycling options and local collection points for old phones.
- If you get something you don’t want, donate it.
For more, go to www.rethinkwaste.com.au
Leah McBey
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
