Recycling guide for South East Queensland
Justice & Advocacy
Recycling is one of the easiest ways to care for Creation — check out this South East Queensland recycling guide, compiled by Angligreen’s The Rev’d Peter Moore ahead of World Environment Day, which is commemorated on 5 June annually
Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water and minerals for new products. As well as saving resources, recycling saves energy, reduces harmful gases that cause the earth to overheat, prevents waste going into landfill and protects our waterways.
For example, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally worldwide. Half of this is designed to be used only once, and of this less than 10 per cent is recycled. An estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic end up in creeks, rivers, lakes and seas annually, which is about the weight of a total of 2,200 Eiffel Towers.
This year’s World Environment Day theme is #BeatPlasticPollution, and this year’s World Environment Day observance comes as countries make progress towards securing a global treaty to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
Recycling plastic and other items is a great way to care for Creation, so I have compiled the following guide ahead of World Environment Day on 5 June for readers.
If you need more information, Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You has great guides about how to recycle different plastic items, and other products, and where to do so.
It’s helpful to be aware that every council’s recycling and waste centre is different and may not offer disposal for every waste type. Before you head off, check your council’s website to see what items they accept.
Clear plastic containers
Place these containers into the household recycling bin – they should be clean and dry.
Plastic, aluminium, glass, steel and liquid paperboard drink containers
Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard drink containers between 150ml and 3L can be recycled at Queensland Containers for Change centres. You’ll receive 10 cents for every eligible container you return, which you can keep or donate.
Plastic blister packs
Blister packs used to store medications can be recycled via Pharmacycle bins at select Chemist Warehouse, National Pharmacies and Blooms the Chemist stores.
Beverage cartons
For most Australians, cartons containing fresh products found in the fridge at stores can be recycled at home. Long-life cartons such as long-life milk (found on shelves in stores) are not accepted by all councils for recycling but are accepted by Brisbane City Council.
Some can be recycled for a 10c refund, so check the packaging and the Containers for Change website.
Aerosol cans
Empty, intact aerosol cans can be safely recycled in household recycling bins along with other metal packaging. If the aerosol can isn’t empty, it should be disposed of through your council’s hazardous waste program. Contact your council directly for more information.
Aluminium cans
Predominantly used as drink cans, most Australians can recycle aluminium cans via their household recycling bin. As above, some types of aluminium cans, such as soft drink cans, can be recycled through your local Queensland Containers for Change centre.
Asbestos
Asbestos is best known for its use as insulation and as a building material found in many older properties across the country. Asbestos must never be put in your household recycling or waste bin. Asbestos is toxic and should always be handled by a licensed professional. See more on the Planet Ark website.
Bamboo and wood cutlery
Bamboo and wood cutlery should be placed into the general waste bin.
Barbecue gas bottles
Empty gas canisters can be swapped for filled ones at select petrol stations, hardware stores like Bunnings and Mitre10, caravan parks and convenience stores. Otherwise, they should be taken to specialised recycling services.
Batteries
Batteries should never be put in your recycling or waste bin. Rechargeable batteries and lithium-ion batteries are hazardous and could produce sparks that may start a fire in the trucks or recycling facility. This includes batteries in laptops, mobile phones, power tools and cameras. Place sticky tape around battery terminals (see the illustration) to prevent fires.
Aldi offers a free battery recycling service at all their Australian stores. Any brand of AA, AAA, C, D and 9V batteries (both rechargeable and non-rechargeable) are accepted. Simply drop your used batteries into the dedicated bins in store. For other services and for options for different battery types (such as buttons and 12 volts) see below.
Battery World has a recycling program with collection points at most stores. Check with your local store to find out which types of batteries are accepted.
Bunnings has a recycling program for batteries, including batteries from power tools. The recycling unit is located at the front of each store. Handheld batteries are accepted including AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, 6V and button batteries.
Coles is rolling out battery recycling units in their stores. Check directly with your store to see if they have a recycling unit. Various types of household batteries are accepted including AA, AAA, C, D, 6V, 9V, button batteries, rechargeable batteries, and batteries that can be easily removed from electrical products, such as cameras and power tools.
Officeworks is no longer accepting batteries, at in-store recycling units, but some stores may accept audio and tech accessories, ink and toner cartridges, and data storage equipment such as USB and hard drives.
Woolworths has battery and mobile phone collection points in-store.
Mobile phone batteries are accepted by MobileMuster, including at Officeworks, and Woolworths. Visit the Planet Ark website for more mobile phone recycling options.
Computer batteries can be recycled through an accredited recycler of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme.
Car batteries can be disposed of at your council’s recycling and waste centre or at Repco and Supercheap Auto. They can also be recycled at many garages, transfer stations and waste management centres.
Editor’s note: Angligreen and the ACSQ’s Justice Unit are encouraging the “Plastic-free July” initiative. Visit the Plastic-free July website for resources and ideas.
The ACSQ’s first Sustainability Roadmap lays out a framework for the different parts of our Diocesan community to formalise Sustainability Action Plans in a staged rollout.
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