The upcoming Aspley Kerbside Collection is not just a chance to get rid of large unwanted household items, but a perfect opportunity to think of ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Below are some suggestions.
Australians use an average of 130 kilograms of plastic per person each year with only 12 percent of that gets recycled, according to WWF-Australia. On the other hand, an average of almost 20kg of electrical and electronic products are discarded per person each year. Out of that, only 5 percent gets recycled, the Electronic Recycling Australia reported.
When you choose to reuse, recycle, and reduce, you would not only minimise waste that end up in landfills but you also reduce the amount of wastes that find their way into the waterways and into the ocean.
Some plastic waste reduction tips
- When going to the supermarket, bring your own reusable shopping bag. You can buy a reusable grocery bag or make own instead.
- Did you know that tap water has a relatively high concentration of minerals and is tested more frequently as compared to bottled water? Stop buying bottled water; you can drink tap water instead. Buy a reusable BPA-free water bottle to carry with you when you are on the go
- Bring your own coffee mug or thermos when buying coffee to-go.
- Bring your own lunch and snacks, packed in a reusable container.
- Use office or school supplies like pens and markers more sparingly. Also, protect markers and pens from heat and sun exposure that could dry them out.
- Reuse plastic binders and folders
- Stop using plastic straws. Use a reusable stainless steel or glass straw instead.
- Instead of disposable plastic lighters, use matches or refillable metal lighter.
- Make you own fresh juice instead of buying juice in plastic bottles.
- When shaving, use a reusable razor instead of the plastic disposable ones.
- When you have the option, buy products in cardboard boxes.
- Shop in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
- Stop using plastic cutlery.
- Ditch the chewing gum. Present day gum base contains a certain type of plastic or synthetic rubber
Tips to reduce electronic waste footprint
- Donate or sell old electronics.
- Extend the life of your electronics such as laptops and mobile phones by keeping them well maintained. For example, use a phone case and screen protector for your phone. Also, avoid fully charging your laptop or phone battery to improve its lifespan.
- Before you upgrade or buy a new gadget, think and evaluate if you are buying because of a need or a want.
- Before you decide on throwing it away, think if you can repurpose your old electronics such as using an old smartphone as an mp3 player, tv remote, or GPS device.
- Use cloud storage for your electronic files and documents instead of saving them on a physical storage device.
- Educate yourself on how to troubleshoot and fix minor issues with your gadget.
- Find an electronic recycling centre near you. These centres specialise in recycling and proper disposal of electronic waste.
The annual Brisbane City Council’s kerbside collection is coming to Aspley this 9th September. So, start sorting and packing your acceptable large household items for discarding and have them on the kerbside by 6:00 a.m. at the start of the collection period.
Illegal dumping fines may apply if you leave your items on the kerb prior to the announced collection date.
Reminders for discarders
The Council reminds residents discarding their hard rubbish to keep footpath or roadway clear and safe by keeping the pile tidy on the kerb and not to place sharp or dangerous objects, or piles larger than two cubic metres.
Also, refrigerator and cupboard doors should be removed, as living creatures or a child can get trapped inside and only put items for collection that can be lifted easily and safely by two people.
The Council will not collect piles larger than two cubic metres which is about equal to a small box trailer load.
Lastly, please sort your items into separate piles to speed up the collection process and increase reusability of the items.
Alternatively, you may donate your usable items to any charitable institutions or not-for-profit organisations that can reuse or recycle them like GIVIT, NACRO, and the Council’s tips shops operated by the Endeavour Foundation.
