Recycle the old if replacing the new
Date: 08-Dec-09
Author: Michelle Cook
With consumption at its highest for the year, Planet Ark is challenging all Australians to recycle right during the festive season.
Its leading website RecyclingNearYou, established in conjunction with foundation partner Sensis®, provides recycling information and drop-off location listings for a wide variety of items which frequently end up on the rubbish pile during the festive season.
"Just because consumption levels rise during this period doesn't mean that waste levels should. The festive season is as an opportunity to reuse and recycle even more," says Planet Ark spokeswoman Rebecca Gilling. "An increased number of parties and social events during this time means there are more chances for us to recycle right and RecyclingNearYou can help us all achieve this."
Easy to use, RecyclingNearYou allows users to search for recycling information either by Council area or product. A recent upgrade to the site ensures users have the latest recycling information and drop-off locations for more than 30 categories at their fingertips.
Along with cans, cards and gift-wrap, glass bottles and jars and paper and plastic containers, users will find that most councils accept items such as aluminium foil and trays, tins, and milk, juice and custard cartons for recycling.
In addition to household waste, RecyclingNearYou has all the information you need to recycle old possessions after receiving something new, such as computers, mobile phones and mp3 players.
Users will also find options for household battery recycling, another item in surplus during the festive season. Last year 25 million batteries or almost a quarter of annual battery sales were sold during December and January.
"Household batteries can contain toxic metals such as cadmium, mercury and lead which can be harmful to the environment when disposed of in landfill, so they need to be handled with care," explains Gilling. "Simply visit RecyclingNearYou and search by council area for local drop-off locations."
"While you're there you can also find information on how to recycle tyres, light globes, X-rays, reading glasses, printer cartridges and a whole lot more," says Gilling. "It's a really useful tool which can be used throughout the festive season and beyond."
RecyclingNearYou is complemented by the National Recycling Hotline which people can phone on 1300 733 712.
