2013 Waste Guide - Brimbank City Council

Contact usTelephone: 9249 4000Email: info@brimbank.vic.gov.auPost: PO Box 70SUNSHINE VIC 3020Website: www.brimbank.vic.gov.auHearing or speech impaired?TTY dial 133 677 or Speak & Listen 1300 555 727 orwww.iprelay.com.au, then enter 03 9249 4000Customer Service Opening hours Municipal Offices Opening hoursSydenham M: 10.30am – 7pm Keilor Offices Monday to FridayStation Street, Taylors Lakes Tu: 1.00pm – 7pm 704B Old Calder Highway, Keilor 8.45am – 5pm(located within Sydenham Library) W: 10.30am – 7pmTh: 10.30am – 7pm Sunshine Offices Monday to FridayF: 10.00am – 5pm 6–18 Alexandra Avenue, Sunshine 8.45am – 5pmSa: 10.00am – 12.30pmSunshine Monday to Friday301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine 8.45am – 5pmKeilor Monday to Friday704B Old Calder Highway, Keilor 8.45am – 5pm Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks ©KDMP4774Waste and recycling in BrimbankEnvironment

Waste and recycling in Brimbank2At Council, we work hard to deliver services that meet our community’s needs. From managing the librariesthrough to keeping the streets clean and tidy, we’re proud to be Brimbank!Your weekly garbage collection, fortnightly recycling service and optional green waste service, along withthe annual hard waste and bundled green waste collections are provided by Council as a convenient way todispose of your waste.We encourage all residents to use the services properly by placing the right items in each bin. This guide willshow you how.Garbage serviceRecycling serviceGreen waste serviceOther waste servicesPage 5Page 6Page 8Page 10–11Waste Services MenuBrimbank City Council wasteservices offer a garbage bin andrecycling bin with an optionalgreen waste bin. The standardservice is a 140 litre garbage bin(Option B).Council now offers a new 80 litregarbage bin that can help yousave money on your rates andreduce the waste sent to landfill.See page 13 for information onthe 80 litre bin.Green waste bins are optionaland incur an extra charge.Choose from a 240 litre bin(same size as the recycling bin) ora smaller 140 litre bin. Additionalrecycling bins are also available.Please note changing your wasteservice will change the amountyou pay on your rates and onceoff charges may apply for supplyand delivery of different bins.Option AGarbage BinExtrasRecycling BinOption BGarbage BinRecycling Bin80 litre 240 litre 140 litre 240 litreRegular 240 litregreen waste binemptied fortnightlyAdditional services availableSmall 140 litregreen waste binemptied fortnightlySecond 240 litrerecycling binemptied fortnightly80litres140litresThe 80 litre bin is just overhalf the size of the current 140litre bin.Reduce waste to landfill with asmaller bin.3

Putting your bins out4Courts and bowlsPlace your bins along the straight part of the court.No binsherePlease place bins along this sectionThe right wayLid closed• Bins out the night before or by6am on your collection day.• Near the kerb.• Wheels facing your houseNo bins hereNo bins here• Don’t overfill bins. If it’s tooheavy, the truck will not beable to lift it.• Keep lids closed to keep ourstreets free of litter.Please place binsalong this section• Take your bins in as soon aspossible after they have beenemptied.The wrong way• Not under or near trees orpower poles.• Leave one arm’s lengthbetween bins and otherobjects.No bins along herePlease place binsalong this sectionGarbage bin — emptied weeklyStart a compost bin and youcould halve the amount in yourgarbage bin. Refer to page 16.General household rubbishNappiesBroken plates, cups,bowls and glasswareDamaged and worn outhousehold goodsNO hazardousmaterialsNO liquids or oilsNO bricks, rubbleor sandNO syringes NO recyclables NO green waste5

Recycling bin — emptied fortnightlyOnly these items can be recycled in your Brimbank recycling bin.ITEMS MUSTBE LOOSE –NOT INBAGS6Plastic bottles, containers,tubs and tubes —Tetra packs, milk cartonsand juice boxesAluminium cans and foil,steel cans and tin cansNewspapers, magazines, papers,letters and envelopesGlass jars and bottlesCardboard andcardboard boxesThese items can’t be recycled in your Brimbank recycling bin.NO bagsNO garden waste,food scraps or garbageNO clothingor toysNO crockery, pyrexor sheet glassNO nappies NO polystyrene NO recyclablesin bagsWhy recycle right?Workers presort to removeincorrect items.By putting the right items into your recycling bin, you help make it easier andsafer to sort your recycling.The factory where recycling is taken can only sort paper, cardboard, plasticcontainers, glass bottles and aluminium and steel cans. All other items haveto be removed by hand before the recycling process starts. This is done bypeople on the ‘hand sort’ line.If you put rubbish into your recycling bin, the recyclables may be too dirty torecycle and have to go to landfill instead.Machines sort the recycling intodifferent types.The ’bales’ are sold to be turnedinto new products.7

Green waste bins — an optional extra service8Only these items can be placed in your Brimbank green waste bin.Grass clippings and weedsFlowers and leavesWould you like agreen waste bin?Visit www.brimbank.vic.gov.auor contact Customer Serviceon 9249 4000 for moreinformation and service costs.30cmSmall branches up to30cm longThese items can’t be placed in your Brimbank green waste bin.Garden pruningsITEMS MUSTBE LOOSE –NOT INBAGSNO bagsNO food scraps orgarbageNO bricks, rubble,rocks or soilNO recyclables NO nappies NO plant pots NO green wastein bagsKeep your green waste cleanGreen waste is chipped andshredded and is then left in pilesto break down into mulch, whichis used on market gardens.All items listed under ‘NO’ onpage 8 are ‘contaminants’, whichmust be removed by hand beforegreen waste can be convertedinto high quality mulch.You can help the green wasteprocess by always putting theright items into your greenwaste bin.Food waste can’t go into yourBrimbank green waste binbecause our system for creatingmulch is not designed forfood waste.Home composting is the bestway to make use of yourkitchen scraps. See page 16for more details.9

Other household waste services10Hard waste and bundled green waste is collected once each year from all Brimbank households. We will sendyou a brochure about the collection two weeks before it starts in your area, plus we will advertise the datesin local newspapers and on www.brimbank.vic.gov.au.Annual bundled green wasteUNTIEDBUNDLESCAN’T BECOLLECTEDWe will collect up to five cubic metres (about three small trailer loads)of green waste from each residential property:Tree branches shorter than 1.5 metres in bundles tied with string.Bundles must be less than 300mm in diameterGrass clippings in an open containerTree limbs without branches shorter than 1.5 metresSmall tree roots that can be lifted by one personAnnual hard wasteAnnual hard waste to beplaced in two stacks — metalsand hard waste.Metals — stack one• Scrap metal including drums• Empty tins (lids removed)• Small metal car parts• Tools including lawn mowers• Hot water systems• Metal baths• White goods• Stoves• Fridges (door removed)• Washing machines and dryersHelp keep the streets of Brimbank tidy and prevent litter.Please don’t put hard waste or bundled green waste on the naturestrip until you receive the notice from Council. Only use this servicefor the designated items — see the A to Z guide on pages 18–19 ifyou have items that are not listed.Too good to throw away?Charities like Vinnies and the Salvos accept a range of householditems including furniture, clothing and toys. Look them up in theYellow Pages.Also consider selling items on www.ebay.com.au or giving themaway through www.freecycle.com.au or www.ziilch.com.au.Hard waste — stack two• Old furniture• Mattresses and bed bases(one set)• Mirrors, windows and glass(wrapped and marked ‘glass’)• Pottery, ceramics, china andcrockery• Car tyres (up to four)• Timber shorter than 1.5 metresDetox Your Home CentreOur Detox Your Home Centre provides a drop off centre for a range ofproducts which must not be placed into your household bins.Open Monday to Friday 9am–4pm and the first Saturday of eachmonth 9am–3pm.Detox CentreStadium Drive, Keilor Park. Melway 15 C5DriveAll types of batteriesFluorescent tubes(including CFLs)Gas cylindersTelevisions and computermonitorsStadiumDriveParkTullamarinePark RoadPaint and motor oil (up to10 litres per person)Computers, hard drives, printers,faxes, keyboards and modemsKeilorChemicals other thanthose listedCooking oilWaste from businesses orcommercial operatorsHousehold wasteMobile chemical collection daysSustainability Victoria runs regular mobile chemical collection dayswhere you can bring any household chemicals such as paint thinners,cleaners, solvents and more for safe disposal.For details visit www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au11

Council taking action12Council is committed to building a better and brighter Brimbank. We provide a range of services and programs to help the community tomaintain a clean and green environment.High pressure cleaning of activity centresHigh pressure cleaning removes grime, stains, dirt, graffiti and gumfrom footpaths and street furniture, including rubbish bins, andmakes the whole area look cleaner and more attractive.Council’s high pressure cleaning program has made a big differenceto the appearance of Council’s activity centres. Major activity centres— including Deer Park , Keilor, St Albans and Sunshine — are cleanedtwice per year, while Council’s smaller activity centres are cleanedonce each year.Graffiti removal programCouncil removes illegal graffiti from its own buildings and assetssuch as street furniture, parks and play equipment as soon as it isidentified.We encourage community members to quickly remove any graffitifrom their property. Fast action will deter vandals and help keep thearea clean. Council offers graffiti removal vouchers valued at $80 tohelp with graffitiremoval on privateproperty.These voucherscan be redeemed atPaint Spot Sunshinefor graffiti remover,exterior paint and apaint roller.Rapid response cleansing programThe introduction of a Rapid Response Unit has helped keep our towncentres clean by quickly removing any reported illegally dumpedrubbish, including syringes, dead animals and other litter items.Report litter offendersTo report litter or rubbish thrown or dropped from a vehicle (includingcigarette butts) contact the EPA on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) orvisit www.epa.vic.gov.au. Reports can also be forwarded to Councilfor investigation. Contact Customer Service on 9249 4000 orinfo@brimbank.vic.gov.au.Keep your property tidywww.recyclingnearyou.com.au (hotline 1300 733 712) providesdetails of recycling options for items like cars and building rubble.Use the Yellow Pages to find lawn mowing services, gardeners andrubbish removal contractors.If you see something — make a reportBe our eyes and ears. We encourage all community membersto play their part in building a better and brighter Brimbank.Residents, businesses and community can call Customer Serviceon 9249 4000 or go to Council’s website and complete an online“request a service” form if and when they see something thatneeds attention. The eyes and ears program provides a valuable linkbetween services provided by Council and community action.80 litre garbage binAs part of our commitment to the environment and to helpingresidents effectively manage their waste, Council has introducedan 80 litre garbage bin. The new bin is just over half the size of thecurrent 140 litre bins. You can save money on your rates by opting forthe small size garbage bin.Why change?Reducing waste to landfill means savings in carbon emissions, betteruse of resources and a cleaner environment. Smaller sized bins havehelped to significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill inmany Council areas across Melbourne. Brimbank aims to do the sameby giving you the choice of the smaller bin.Smaller garbage binsmean less waste to landfillIs it for me?By downsizing your garbage bin you will reduce the amount of spaceyou have for garbage. This checklist will help you decide if the smallerbin is right for you:You are willing and committed to keep learning more aboutrecycling, reuse and waste reductionYou don’t put your bin out every week because it is not fullYou have a compost bin or worm farm — or are willing to start oneYour garbage bin is less than two thirds full most weeks.Did you answer yes to at least one question? Then you’re ready todownsize your garbage bin!More informationFor more information or to order an 80 litre bin visitwww.brimbank.vic.gov.au or contact Customer Service on 9249 4000.80litres140litres13

Brimbank Gems14Recycle right and you could be rewardedThe Brimbank Gems campaign was introduced to encourageresidents to recycle right and reduce contamination in our recycling.Part of the program involves bin inspectorslooking in recycling bins. Residents that arefound to be doing the right thing are rewarded edwith a sticker on their bin and a certificate intheir letterbox.Residents that need a littlehelp have a card placed intheir letterbox explainingwhat can and can’t berecycled.Start practising good habitsnow and keep an eye out forthe next Brimbank Gems campaign.How to recycle rightOnly items from the ‘yes’ list on page 6 can go into your recycling binKeep recycling bins free of plastic bagsDon’t bag recyclables. Leave all material loose in the binPut your bin out on time, on the right dayFrequently asked questionsCan I put plastic bags into my recycling bin?NO. Plastic bags can’t go in your recycling bin. Make sure you empty any recyclables out of plastic bags andthen put the plastic bag in your garbage bin or take back to your local supermarket for recycling there.Polystyrene has a recycling triangle on it. Can I put it in my recycling bin?NO. Polystyrene can’t be recycled in your Council recycling bin. All types of polystyrene including foammeat trays, drink cups and polystyrene balls need to go in your garbage bin.What about plastic bags that have a recycle symbol on them?Plastic bags can’t be recycled through the Council recycling bins even if they have a recycling symbol onthem, are reusable bags or biodegradable bags. Place them in your garbage bin or take them to your localsupermarket where they can be recycled.No plastic bags of any kind!Does it really matter if I put one plastic bag in my recycling bin?Yes it does! Plastic bags get tangled up in the sorting machines at the Recycling Facility and cost timeand money to remove. Putting plastic bags in the garbage bin is the best thing you can do.It’s not just plastic shopping bags that cause problems, any type of plastic that is scrunchable like gladwrap and bread bags will cause damage.What about plastic that covers a cardboard tray?To recycle the cardboard you need to remove the plastic and place it in your garbage bin. If the plasticstays on the cardboard it will get pulled from the conveyor belts and it will end up in landfill and wasteyour effort.If you aren’t sure if a plastic is recyclable check the A to Z guide on page 18 or contact Council.I thought clothing and toys were recyclable?They are, but not in your Council recycling bin. Good quality clothing, toys, manchester and otherhousehold goods are welcome donations for many charities, but they can’t be sorted at our RecyclingFacility. If they are no good for charity, they can go into your household garbage bin.Take unwanted toys to an op shop.Our A to Z Guide on page 18gives more information onwhat to do with items thatcan’t go into your recycling bin.15

16Composting and worm farming aresimilar. Both break down organic waste,create nutrients to help your gardengrow well and can help reduce theamount of waste in your garbage bin.COUNCIL SELLScompost binsand worm farmsat a discount.Do youhave agarden?YESCOMPOST BINTakes food scrapsplus garden clippings.The ‘humus’ can goback on the garden.Why compost?• Create free, nutrient rich food for your garden• Help soil retain moisture/water• Reduce your waste — by more than 50%• Grow large bait worms in a worm farm• Save money by buying less fertilisers andwatering your garden less often.NODo youhave abalcony/courtyard?NOYESWORM FARMWorms eat foodscraps, paper andcardboard. They needmore attention thana compost bin.INDOOR COMPOSTERBokashi usesmicrobes to ‘pickle’food scraps. It isodour free and thepickled scraps canbe buried in a smallgarden bed.In the kitchenWhen you have a compost bin or worm farm, you will need a kitchen compost bucket to keep yourcomposting ingredients separate from other kitchen waste.A large ice cream container that has been rinsedout makes a great kitchen compost bucket.You can line your kitchen compost bucket with newspaper or a bag,but remember to empty only the food scraps into the compost binor worm farm — dispose of the bag or newspaper separately.Your kitchen bucket should have a sealable lid to prevent it gettingsmelly and to keep insects out.This information is from Council’s home composting pocket guide.Contact Customer Service on 9249 4000 for a copy of the guide.Fill it with ‘compost friendly’kitchen scraps.Feed your worms• Chop food as small aspossible.• Feed them scraps in smallamounts.• Let the worms finish themeal before adding more.• Cover new food with someof the bedding material.Empty the contents into yourcompost bin or worm farm.17

A to Z GuideC Compost bin/worm farm GW Green waste bin S Call Council Customer Service 9249 4000D Detox Centre H Hard waste X Charity/op shopG Garbage bin R Recycling bin O www.recyclingnearyou.com.au18Aerosol cans (empty)AluminiumAluminium baking traysAluminium cansAluminium foil (clean)Animal furAnimal wasteAsbestosAsh (cold)Bag tiesBaling twineBand aidsBasketsBatteriesBeer bottlesBicyclesBird seedBonesBooksBottle topsBottlesBoxes (cardboard)Branches & leavesBricks & rubbleBroken glass (wrap)Bubble wrapBuilding materialsCake boxesCake trays (plastic or foil)Cake trays (polystyrene)CansCar batteriesCar/auto partsCarbon paperCardboard/paperCarpet & underlayRORRRG CGSG CGGGG XDRX HC GGX RRRRGW COGGORRGRDO HGROCotton wool buds/ballsCups/saucers/plates(broken)Cups/saucers/plates(intact)CurtainsCut flowersCutleryDessert containersDetergent bottlesDisposable nappies(wrap)Dog droppingsDoorsDrink bottlesDrink cansDrink straws (paper)Drink straws (plastic)Drums (empty)Dummies/pacifiersDVDsEgg cartonsElectrical appliancesEngine oilEngine oil containersEnvelopesEye glassesFabricFallen fruitFat/lard (sealedcontainer)Floppy discsFlowersFluorescent tubesFoam boxesFoam meat traysGGXOX OGW CX GRRGGORRRGO HGGRD X HDDROXGO GC GGGGWDGGCMagazinesManure (herbivore)Margarine containersMatchboxes/matchesMattressesMeat scrapsMeat trays (foam)Meat trays (plastic)Medicine bottles(empty)MedicinesMetalsMilk cartons/bottlesMirrors (wrapped)Mobile phonesMotor oilNappiesNeedlesNetting bagsNewspaperOffice paperOil (car/motor)Oil (cooking) soak inpaperOnion bagsOvensPaint (< 10 litres)Paint (> 10 litres)Paint tins (empty)Paintings (on paper)PalletsPaper/cardboardPaper towelPaper towel rollPens, pencils & textasPet food tins (rinse)RCRGHGGRRSORGSDGSGRRDGGHDORRORCRGRCDOOGSanitary itemsSawdust (wrap)School bagsScrap metalScrews/nailsSeedling containersShampoo bottlesShoesSilver foilSmoke alarmsSnack food tubsSoft drink bottlesSoft drink cansSpectaclesSpirit bottlesSporting goodsStaplesSteelSteel cans/tinsStickersSticksSticky tapeStovesStrawberry punnetsStraws (plastic)StyrofoamSweet wrappersSyringesTablet/pill boxesTablets/pillsTakeaway containers(foam)Takeaway containers(plastic/foil)TarpaulinsTea bagsGG CX GO HGRRX GRGRRRO GRX GGORGGW CGH ORGGGSRSGRGCGCartridges (printer/toner)Cassette tapesCDs and CD coversCellophaneCementCereal box insertsCereal boxesChemicalsChewing gumChildren’s art on paperChina/ceramics/crockery(broken)China/ceramics/crockery(intact)Chip packetsChristmas tree (fake)Christmas tree (real)Cigarette buttsCigarette lighter (empty)Cigarette packetCleaning ragsCling wrapClothing & shoesCoat hangersCoffee cans/jarsCoffee groundsCompact disc caseCompact discsCompact fluorescent lightComputer paperComputer partsComputersConcreteCooking oil (soak in paper)CopperCorksCosmetic jars (plastic/metal)Cosmetic jars (ceramic)CottonCotton reelsOGGGOGROGRGXGGGWGGGGGG XGRC GGGDRD OD OOG OOORGGGSOFoam underlayFoilFoil lined cartonsFood cansFood wasteFormula tinsFridgesFruit & vegetable scrapsFurnitureGarden materialsGarden wasteGas bottlesGlad wrapGlass bottles & jarsGlass broken (wrap)Golf ballsGrass clippingsGreeting cardsHazardous wasteHighlighters & textasHosesHot water bottlesHot water unitsHousehold chemicalsHypodermic needlesIce-cream containersIcy pole sticksInk cartridgesIvyJar & jar lidsJuice cartonsJunk mailKitchen spongesKitty litterLeavesLids (plastic/metal)Light bulbsLinenLolly wrappersLong life cartonsLunch boxesGRRRC GRH OC GX HGW CGW CDGRGX GGW CRSGGGO HO SSRG COGW GRRRGGGW CGGX GGRX GPharmaceutical/pills/tablets blister packPharmaceutical/pills/tabletsPharmaceutical/pills/tablets boxes & bottles(empty)PhonebooksPhotographsPicture framesPizza boxes (empty)PlacematsPlant cuttingsPlant pruningsPlaster dust (wrap)PlasterboardPlastic bagsPlastic containersPlastic food wrapPlastic plant potsPlastic plates and cupsPlastic strappingPlastic toysPlastic trays/basketsPlastic wrappersPlate glass (wrap)Plush toysPolystyrenePool chemicalsPotting mix bagsPower cables (domestic)Printer cartridgesPruningsPyrex/ovenware(broken)Pyrex/ovenware (intact)Rose pruningsRubberRubber bandsRubber glovesSandpaperGSRRGX ORX GGW CGW CGOG ORGRRGX GXGG O HX GG ODOGDOGW CGXGWGGGGCTea leavesTelephone booksTelevisionsTennis ballsTennis racquetsTextasTextilesTiles (broken)TimberTin cansTissuesToilet paper rollsToner cartridgesToolsToothbrushesToothpaste tubesToysTree pruningsTwineTyresVacuum dust (wrap)Vegetable scrapsVideo tapesWashing machinesWaxed cardboard/paperWeedsWhitegoodsWindow panes (wrap)Wine bottlesWoolWrapping paperX-raysYoghurt containersC GRD HX GX GGO GG OO SRC GROX OGGX GGW CGO HGCCGG XH OGGW CH X OG O HRG XRO GRVisit www.recyclingnearyou.com.au for items not listed.19