The proper way to dispose of garbage will depend on the type and quantity of the rubbish in question. Incredibly, the average family here in Australia produces around 2.25kg of waste every single day – that’s just shy of a staggering 800kg of waste every single year!
To help you correctly get rid of your rubbish – whether that’s household items or commercial waste – have a read of the following tips for proper waste disposal.
AVOID LANDFILL IF POSSIBLE
Landfill should be the very last option for regular, non-contaminated waste. Sure, dumping rubbish into landfill is the easiest option – that’s where most of our rubbish we put in the bin is sent. But it isn’t the most environmentally-friendly option by any stretch.
Different types of rubbish decompose at different rates, with some items taking decades to breakdown completely. To illustrate, natural food waste such as an apple core will only take a few months to decompose fully when in landfill. A tyre, on the other hand, can take more than half a century.
To prevent your waste from ending up in landfill when it isn’t necessary, avoid mixing your waste. For example, try to separate natural food waste from recyclables, and both from general rubbish. Separated rubbish will allow for easy and responsible disposal while preventing nasty odours and pests. It’s a win-win.
SEGREGATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RUBBISH
Let’s take a closer look at rubbish segregation. Most of us are familiar with the general rubbish bin, the green rubbish bin, and the recycling bin we all have here in Australia. But did you know you can do even more to segregate your waste to ensure proper treatment?
When it comes to recyclable items, you can separate them into metal, glass, wood, and plastic. You may also like to separate food waste from general waste, using your food waste in a compost heap, if you have one.
Finally, always be sure to handle large items (such as a mattress, old bikes, or couches) and hazardous materials (oil paint, motor fuel, or electronics, for example) separately.
NEVER DUMP OR BURN YOUR WASTE ILLEGALLY
Dumping your waste and rubbish on the side of the road is illegal and can result in serious penalties. Not only does dumped rubbish take away from the pleasant look and feel of a neighbourhood, but it can also harm the environment. Remember, many household and business items contain hazardous materials and chemicals – including electronics – that can leech into the soil and waterways. This poses a serious health risk to those in the community and well as the local flora and fauna.
Burning rubbish is also not a suitable – or a legal – way to dispose of waste here in Australia. Aside from the serious safety risks associated with burning rubbish, the incineration process can cause harmful chemicals to escape into the atmosphere. What’s more, you most likely will not be able to reduce your waste to dust or ash. Instead, you’ll be left with more waste, making the entire process inefficient to the point of being useless.
KNOW WHEN YOU’RE DEALING WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
If you have hazardous materials in your possession that you need removed and disposed of, it’s critical to take specialist care and contact professional waste handlers. Never ignore instructions or signs that inform you not to dispose of the item in the general trash. You’ll find these signs on things like batteries and aerosol cans.
The best option is to work with a trusted waste handler, such as the team at All Trash. We can help rid you of these nasty substances, giving you peace of mind that your waste isn’t causing any harm.
