Advice On Best Disposal Methods For A Variety of Wastes

Some items shouldn't go in your recycling or waste bin. Some items can be disposed of in your waste bin, but there are reuse or recycling options which are better.

The following list provides information on best disposal options for a variety of items.

Batteries (car) - Can be dropped off in the designated areas at the Mugga Lane and Mitchell Resource Management Centres and the Parkwood Road Recycling Estate.

Batteries (household) - There is no current collection system for household batteries. Battery World in Phillip will accept small quantities of household batteries for recycling at no cost. For larger quantities, costs apply. Contact them on 13 17 60. Otherwise, household batteries can be disposed of in your household waste bin.

Batteries (rechargeable) - There is no current collection system for rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Ion batteries. These are used in items including: mobile phones, video cameras, cordless phones, electric shavers, cordless drills, desktop and laptop computers. As they contain heavy metals, it is much better for the environment to recycle them than to send them to landfill. Battery World in Phillip will accept them for recycling at no cost for small quantities. For larger quantities per kilo costs apply. Contact them on 13 17 60. Businesses should be encouraged to contact waste service providers to find out about commercial collection arrangements.

Car bodies - Can be dropped off for free at the Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre.

Chemicals - The ACT Government provides a free household chemical collection service for unwanted insecticides, pesticides, pool chemicals and more. Contact the EPA via Canberra Connect on 13 22 81. More information.

Clothing - Reusable clothing, footwear and blankets can be donated to charities. These items are then distributed to the needy or sold to the public. More information.

Computers - The ACT does not allow computers to be buried in landfill for environmental reasons. Take them to the Mugga Lane or Mitchell Resource Management Centres (or contact a computer recycler). Charges apply as they are sent off to be recycled. Alternatively, more recent, working models may be able to be refurbished. More information.

Cooking oil - Domestic quantities of used cooking oil can be dropped off at the collection points at the Mugga Lane Landfill or the Mitchell Resource Management Centre.

Fire Extinguishers - Can be dropped off in the designated areas at the Mugga Lane and Mitchell Resource Management Centres.

Fluorescent lights - At present, domestic compact fluorescents (CFLs) and fluorescent tubes can be disposed of in your normal garbage bin. Businesses and commercial buildings that use fluorescent lights are required to use a hazardous waste contractor to collect and recycle their fluorescents. For more information contact the EPA on 13 22 81. Information on the recycling process can be accessed here.

Food Waste - This waste can go in your household compost or worm farm to make a rich natural resource for your garden. Mixing food waste and garden waste will provide a good carbon-nitrogen balance for your compost. There are some commercial worm farms who offer collection services for businesses. More information.

Garden Waste - Garden waste can be dropped off at no cost to Corkhill Bros. at the Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre and Canberra Sand and Gravel at the Parkwood Road Recycling Estate, or for a nominal fee to Vicars Street, Mitchell. Prunings, leaves and clippings are accepted free of charge. However, branches need to be less than 2m in length and 200mm in diameter (except at Vicars Street, Mitchell where sizes are 1.5m in length and 100mm in diameter). More information.

Gas Cylinders - Can be dropped off in the designated areas at the Mugga Lane and Mitchell Resource Management Centres.

Metal items (e.g. Whitegoods) - Can be dropped off at no cost at the metals yards at Mugga Lane and Mitchell Resource Management Centres.

Mobile phones - Mobile phone retailers will take back old, broken and obsolete handsets and batteries for recycling. Speak to your retailer for further information. Alternatively, you can recycle your old phone through the Spastic Centre's "Don't Dump It, Donate It" program. More information.

Printer Cartridges - A number of organisations accept used inkjet and laser cartridges for recycling and reuse. More information

Reusable items(e.g. Furniture and Electrical items) 

• Reuse operators at the Mugga Lane and Mitchell Resource Management Centres accept many reusable items and sell them back to the public. More information.
• Online options include: advertising freebies online (e.g. on allclassifieds), using free print classifieds for items under $100, or joining on online community where you can list the items you have to give away e.g. freecycle.org