Recycling
Why Recycle?
Recycling preserves precious resources - Much of what we throw away is made from materials that are running out - we're consuming faster than they can be replaced. Many of the materials that are currently going into landfill have a value and can often be used again.
Reduces consumption of fossil fuels - Making new products uses energy, usually in the form of fossil fuels which are fast depleting and non-renewable.
Lowers the toxic load on the planet - Many materials dumped in landfill leach harmful chemicals and create greenhouse gases. Reducing and recycling what we use reduces the need to mine for new raw materials, which often damage the environment.
What can you recycle?
Organic waste
About half of what we throw away as 'rubbish' can actually be composted. The food scraps, pruning litter and lawn clippings put into your rubbish bin create methane gas once they're dumped into landfill. This is one of the harmful greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Composting organic waste at home frees up scarce landfill space and reduces methane gas.
Solid Waste
Kerbside recycling takes care of glass, some plastics, aluminium and tin cans, paper and cardboard. Your local council can provide a list of exactly what can be collected and recycled.
Plastics
Technically all plastics can be recycled but for a variety of reasons, the plastics collected varies from area to area. Check the bottom of bottles and containers for their plastic identification code. For a breakdown on different types of plastics and how they are recycled click here. Your local council or Plastics NZ will be able to tell you what plastics are recycled in your area.
Water
Why not recycle water from your bathroom or laundry to flush your toilet or water the garden? Garden irrigation is one of the biggest household water users along with the toilet and shower. A grey water system can reduce the amount of water you bring onto your property, as well as reducing the volume sent to the wastewater treatment plant.
Used appliances
Some companies take back their appliances for recycling e.g. Fisher and Paykel. Try contacting the appliance company and asking about their recycling policy - consumer demand often creates new services. For those appliances that cannot be recycled but that are still in working condition, donate them to a local second hand store. Some stores will collect goods at no charge.
Hazardous waste
Items that are particularly harmful to the environment (lead based paint, motor oil, garden chemicals and used energy saving light bulbs) need to be disposed of separately. If you live in Waitakere City, the Council's Transfer Centre has a hazardous waste area, otherwise the Hazmobile (a mobile unit) collects from various drop off points around the Auckland region.
- Low energy light bulbs (fluorescents) are filled with neon or argon gas, mercury and coated with a fluorescent powder. This small amount of mercury makes these bulbs very energy efficient but, as it's toxic to our environment, must be disposed of carefully. If you're a large facility (like a factory, school or community centre) considering a major lighting refit, Interwaste offers a collection and recycling service for all forms of mercury lamps.
- Batteries - these portable power sources are packed with toxic heavy metals and need to be disposed of correctly. If you're serious about reducing your environmental impact, switch to rechargeable batteries for your portable electronic devices.
- Leftover paint can be dropped off at either Enviropaints or a Resene paintwise store. Enviropaint recycles unwanted paint to make Enviropaints, and Resene's 'Paintwise' programme redistributes paint in good condition to community groups for re-use.
Electronic waste
(or E-waste) is one of the fastest growing hazardous waste streams. Electronic equipment - computers, mobile phones, ipods, etc - contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury and even the plastic casing and wiring can contain hazardous materials. These metals, particularly cadmium, are also mined at great cost to the environment.
- Computers - computers and equipment can be reused and recycled. Visit www.computerrecycling.co.nz . If your computer is still working, consider donating it to a charity or for a small cost your computer can be taken to www.rcn.co.nz . E-waste collections are made very sporadically and are normally organised by individual councils. The Ark refurbishes used computers and sells them at low cost to schools, charitable organisations, and directly to the public.
- Mobile Phones - over 90% of the materials in mobile phones can be recycled and used to make new products. Telecom and Vodafone both have collection schemes. Just return your mobile to your local store.
- Toner cartridges can be recycled for reuse. There are several companies now that recycle toner cartridges and remanufacture empty inkjet and toner cartridges from businesses, schools, universities, government departments, and home users. Check your local yellow pages for suppliers.
- Televisions can be taken to www.rcn.co.nz
Not sure what to do with it?
Polystyrene? Carpet? Bitumen? Type the material you want to recycle into Zero Waste's Buy It Back Guide to find a list of companies that are recycling that material into their products.
Plastic shopping bags
Return clean plastic supermarket bags to collection bins at your local Progressive store (Foodtown, Woolworths, Countdown, Fresh Choice, and Super Value) or The Warehouse to be recycled. Companies like Enviroreel then recycle the plastic into large reels, underground cable covers and garden edging. You can also deliver plastic bags, wrap and sheeting directly to them.
Other helpful websites
Recyclers of NZ
Reduce your rubbish
DonateNZ
Freecycle
Waste Exchange
WasteMINZ
