At a glance:
-
Don't waste your garbage
-
The life of a Mobile Garbage Bin
-
Reducing waste
-
How you can help
Recycling helps the environment in three ways, by:
- Reducing landfill
- Saving energy
- Preserving natural resources.
Garbage is a modern problem. Since the 1970s, the amount of waste going to landfill has dramatically increased, largely because of consumer trends. The popularity of supermarkets and convenience foods means more packaging gets thrown away. The trend to replace rather repair has also led to more hard waste going to tips.
The life of a Mobile Garbage Bin
Mobile Garbage Bins, called MGBs, are better for the environment; both in the way they store garbage and the way they are manufactured.
Old MGBs are recycled to make new ones. Once old MGBs reach their use-by date, they are sent through a granulator where a series of knives slice and chop the plastic into chips. The chips are then cleaned. They are then heated to melting point and blended until a consistent mix is achieved. The material is extruded into spaghetti like strands before being chopped into a uniform pellet size. The plastic pellets are now ready to be made into new MGBs.
Reducing Waste
The first defence in the war against waste is to reduce the amount of garbage that we throw out. There are many simple measures that the average householder can take to minimise waste.
- Shop more carefully and choose products without excessive packaging.
- Make more meals at home instead of buying takeaway or convenience foods.
- Grow your own vegetables and flowers.
- Repair clothes, toys, tools and appliances rather than buying new ones.
- Take a bag or basket with you when you shop, rather than accepting plastic bags from the store.
- Choose products that come in concentrated form or can be refilled.
- Avoid buying disposable products such as tissues and nappies.
- Where possible - hire, share or borrow items rather than buying new ones.
- Don't buy things on impulse - buy products that are durable and will last a long time.
- Buy fresh foods wherever possible and compost the scraps.
- Where possible buy some food from bulk stores or markets and bring your own containers.
Reducing waste requires changing some habits and planning ahead, but with a little practice, techniques like the ones above can become a part of your daily life. Even after you throw it away your garbage is costing you money!
How can you help?
The City of Greater Geelong has introduced a three-bin recycling and waste collection system that allows every resident the opportunity to recycle and reduce.
Use your recycling bin for glass jars and bottles, plastic soft drink and cordial bottles, milk and juice cartons, steel and aluminium cans, along with paper and cardboard.
Put all your lawn clippings, prunings, leaves and small branches (up to 10 cm diameter and 30cm in length) in your green waste bin (if you don't compost or mulch already).
Use your garbage bin only for household rubbish that cannot be recycled or reused. By reducing the amount of waste you create, you are doing your bit to ensure a sustainable future for the Geelong region.
