What can we do about the waste problem?

As individuals, there is a lot that can be done. And recycling is only part of the answer. Let's look at the waste management hierarchy for guidance.

How To Avoid Producing Waste

• Refuse plastic bags in the supermarket and take your own calico bags when you go shopping.
• Display a "no junk mail" sticker on your mailbox. You can contact the Australian Distribution Standards Board (ADSB) on 1800 676 136 and they will supply you with a No Advertising Material sticker or call Hunter Resource Recovery on 1800 838884.
• Purchase minimally packaged or unpackaged goods. Write to the manufacturers and complain about excess packaging, after all, you as a consumer are paying for that packaging.
• Use rechargeable batteries.
• Purchase refills such as fabric conditioners, and buy products in bulk such as 1kg tubs of yogurts instead of the individual pots.
• Purchase products made from recycled materials and products that can be recycled.

How To Reuse Waste

• Use paper on both sides and use waste paper as note pads.
• Reuse old glass jars for homemade jams or for storing small craft items.
• Milk cartons and yogurt containers can be reused for planting seedlings.
• Give away used magazines to hospitals, surgeries and other institutions.
• Reuse envelopes in good condition.
• Give away unwanted toys to friends, hospitals and child care centres.
• Reuse old plastic bottles for taking drinks to lunches and picnics.

How To Recycle Correctly

In the front of your Hunter Resource Recovery recycling bin, you can place paper and cardboard.

In the rear section, place glass bottles and jars, aluminium cans and aluminium foil products, steel cans including aerosol cans, milk and juice cartons, and plastic bottles including detergent and shampoo bottles and ice cream containers with the symbols:

Not all recyclable products can be taken in the HRR recycling bin, but can be recycled by other organisations and these include: -

• Toner cartridges
• Car batteries, used motor oil and other car parts
• Building materials
• Scrap metals
• Bric-a-brac
• Clothing
• Garden waste and kitchen scraps can be composted
• Furniture
• White goods and brown goods
• Tyres

Check with your local council or Yellow Pages for more details, or call Hunter Resource Recovery on 1800 838884.

Disposal of Waste

If your waste cannot be reused or recycled then your final option must be disposal in a garbage bin or at landfill. However, if it is a chemical, including solvents, fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, pool chemicals, acids and alkalis, heavy metals or poisons, please call the Hunter Water Corporation's free chemical collection service on 1300 657 657 for safe disposal.