Everyone knows that most of the things we throw in the bin can either be recycled or reused. From newspapers and cardboard boxes to scrap metals and glass bottles, many items can be given a second life, and don’t need to just pile up in a landfill. But while you’re sorting out your trash and placing it in the right bins for council pickup, have you ever wondered where it actually goes?

We’re going to find out what really happens to all your waste each time it’s removed from your home.

General rubbish

Usually placed in your main rubbish bin, general waste includes anything that has not been separated for recycling. Once collected by the garbage trucks, it is loaded and transferred to a resource recovery centre where it goes through a recovery process to determine whether anything can be recycled. If not, the remaining waste is compacted in to heavy haulage silos and then transported to the nearest landfill site.

Recyclables

All recyclable waste gets transported to a facility where items are separated by size and type.  Then, based on their type, the recyclable items are transported to companies capable of re-using the materials to maximise their future uses. If anything is deemed non-recyclable during the separation process, employees at a recyclers centre will remove these items to avoid contamination.

Plastic, paper and cardboard

With one of the highest paper and cardboard recycling rates in the world, you’ll be pleased to learn that Australia saves tonnes of trees every year. Recycling plastics is equally as important, though, as it saves energy, wildlife and the environment. When it comes to the recycling process, your paper, cardboard and plastic waste are individually baled and sold for recycling into new paper, cardboard and plastic items.

E-waste

Otherwise known as electronic waste, e-waste can be difficult to dispose of as it sometimes contains toxic materials that may damage the environment. E-waste is collected from your home or business by a contractor to be dismantled, and any components like copper, silver, plastic and glass are then sent to specialised recycling professionals and made into new products.

Compact fluorescent lights

Sadly, only 1% of all fluorescent lights are recycled in Australia. While they may be energy efficient, they still contain small amounts of mercury which is hazardous waste that needs to be disposed of correctly. Once this process is complete, specialist contractors turn them into new products such as fertilisers, glass, dental amalgam and wool for insulation batts.

Batteries

While the materials found in batteries are non-renewable, they can actually be recycled an unlimited amount of times. From household and power tool batteries to laptop and mobile phone batteries, only 4% of the 345 million handheld batteries used each year are recycled in Australia. However, when they are recycled, all the components and metals recovered from batteries are separated before being melted and turned into new items including car parts, steel frames, street lights and more.

Scrap metal

While it may seem easier to throw away your used cans, it’s crucial to recycle them to free up space in landfill. In fact, if more people recycled their metal waste on a regular basis, we could find a reduction in the amount it costs to produce metal products. Scrap metal that is recycled is melted down and used to make lots of new metal products and cans.

Glass

Each time you throw glass into a recycle bin, it’s taken to a glass recyclers facility. The glass is sorted by colour and any impurities are removed. It’s then crushed and melted and moulded into new glass products like jars and bottles. Domestic waste glass is very easy to recycle, and using recycled glass in manufacturing processes helps to lower carbon emissions.  

Green waste

Once your green waste has been collected by your local council, it ends up at a green waste processing facility. It is then sorted through to remove rubbish, passed through a grinder and laid out in rows. Each row is then heated for at least three days to kill any pests, weed seed and pathogens. After a final clean and grading, it is sent back to the grinder to produce compost for the local horticulture industry. 

To find your local waste reduction & disposal services, check out Yellow Pages today.