How recycling has changed since 1995 with the help of skip bins in Adelaide

Back in 1995, recycling was a new concept and skip bins companies in Adelaide did not have environmentally friendly practices in place. Only 52.7 per cent of newspapers were recycled in Australia, compared to 74.5 per cent today, which equates to almost two million newspapers a year. These days, 600 million more aluminium cans are being recycled than in 1995, with 2.3 billion aluminium cans recycled every year. Amazingly, each can recycled will save enough energy to power a TV for three hours.

Even in Australian homes, people are being more proactive about recycling. Now 42 per cent of Australians either compost or have worm farms to recycle their food and green waste. Recycled toilet paper is even a popular item in households, with 8,000 tonnes of office paper waste turned into SAFE toilets paper. 

While recycling figures are rising, attention still needs to be paid to some areas. Shockingly, only 11 per cent of office paper is recycled in Australia, with 9 out of 10 sheets being thrown away. Additionally, the number of people who recycle their mobile phone needs to rise, as well as recycling of printer cartridges. With 18 million printer cartridges thrown into landfill every year, more needs to be done to recycle them.

Australian’s also needed to know items that cannot be recycled. While plastic, glass, paper, cardboard, cartons, steel cans, aluminium drink cans, aluminium foil and pie trays can all be recycled, there are many items that cannot be. Items to avoid putting in your recycling bin include plastic bags, nappies, ceramics, cookware, crockery, oven-proof glass, light bulbs, broken drinking glasses, syringes, liquids and hazardous waste.

Overall, Australia has come a long way when it comes to recycling. Over the years since 1995, they have organised exceptional events that had a strong focus on recycling including the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the 2004 Australian Open and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. There has also been aimpressive reduction in the amount of plastics bags being used at supermarket checkouts. In 2002, 5.95 billion plastic bags were used at the supermarket, while in 2005 the number reduced to 4.44 billion. In 2007, the amount was reduced again down to 3.93 billion as a result of the introduction of the ‘green bag’.

If you are considering hiring skip bins in Adelaide, be sure to call Green Bins, who is committed to recycling as much of your waste as possible. Call them today on (08) 8280 3318.

Do you know where your rubbish is going?

When you hire skip bins, do you really know where your rubbish is going? The reality is the majority of things you throw in the bins are more than likely to go to landfill. These days, products that are not designed for landfill are being thrown in the bin including electronic waste like old computers.
 

Alarmingly, electronic waste mounting up in landfill is starting to produce some alarming results. Electronic waste contains dangerous metals like lead, cadmium and mercury. Slowly, these dangerous metals are leading out into the surrounding soil and groundwater. If we are not careful with these metals, they could begin to affect our health. The health effects are huge including cancer, mental health disorders and tumours.

Queensland University’s National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology shows the chemicals from these metals are already everywhere in Australia. From the environment, to the people, these metals are making their mark. Disturbingly, test reveal children under four years old have high level of blood contamination. Overall, putting electronic waste into landfill is not a healthy option. Instead, there needs to be a strong focus on recycling this type of waste. Unfortunately, from 2007-2008, 16.8 million electronic devices were discarded, with only 9 per cent recycled. This meant, a staggering 14.7 million electronic devices were sent to landfill.

Disturbingly, e-waste is often exported by developed countries, to developing countries. In 2005, 18 European seaports were inspected and it was found that 47% of illegal waste was being exported. In the UK, 23,000 metric tonnes of undeclared e-waste was shipped to India, Africa and China. In the US it was also found that 50-80% of e-waste that was meant to be recycled, was also being exported. In 2000, mainland China tried to put a stop to this happening by banning the importation of e-waste. However the laws did not work, since e-waste was still being sent to Guiya of Guangdon Province. In addition to China, e-waste is also becoming to be a problem in India. A huge 25,000 workers are hired in scrap yards in Delhi alone, where 10-20000 tonnes of e-waste is being handled each year, 25% of that being computers.   

The Basel Convention has been introduced as an international treaty, designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste. Despite over 150 countries signing the treaty, exporting e-waste is still occurring. Even Australia is involved and is reported to be exporting up to 20 million dollars worth of e-waste per year, despite not having a permit to do so. Companies face a fine on up to $1 million or jail time of up to five years, if caught exporting to any other country.

This is why it is important to make sure you select a skip bins provider in Adelaide that recycles goods only in Australia. By ensuring this, you will have peace of mind knowing that your electrical goods will not be exported as e-waste to developing counties. Next time you need to hire a skip bins provider in Adelaide, ensure you choose a company like Green Bins who does not export e-waste overseas. Call Green Bins on (08) 8280 3318.

How hiring a skip bin could improve recycling in Adelaide?

Did you know that is you hire a skip bin in Adelaide; you could be improving the rate of recycling. Reputable skip bin company, Green Bins, has come up By calling a skip bin company in Adelaide like Green Bins, By calling up at skip bin company Call up a skip bin company, such as Green Bins, to hear all about their recycling methods for their waste.

Lots of items that wind up in a skip bin can be recycled. One item that is 100% recyclable is paper. Paper comes in many forms including office paper, newspaper, cardboard, junk mail, magazines and phone books. With 90% of paper pulp made of wood and 35% from fallen trees, recycling paper makes a difference and saves a tree from being cut down. It is extremely important more than ever to recycle paper, with almost half of Australia's forests being cleared since European settlement. Staggeringly, it takes up to 24 trees to create one tonne of office paper. However, producing paper from recycled paper pulp uses 60-70% less energy and 55% less water than manufacturing from non-recycled pulp. Additionally, it also required approximately three cubic metres of landfill space to dispose of one tonne of paper.  

Not only is recycling paper good for tress but is also beneficial for the whole environment.  Recycled paper creates 74% less air pollution and 35% less water pollution. Plus, every tonne of recycled paper saves 2.5 barrels of oil. Overall, recycling paper to create one tonne of paper will also save thirteen trees.

If you have been thinking about hiring a skip bin in Adelaide but want a company that recycles, ring Green Bins. Green Bins is an environmentally friendly waste management company that utilises a range of recycling techniques. They also offer a variety of different sized bins to suit your unique requirements. Our experts suggest when selecting a bin size to always select a bigger bin than you think, if you aren't sure exactly how much waste your are disposing off.

If you are conscious of the environment and want an environmental friendly waste management company, call Green Bins on (08) 8280 3318. They are the experts in eco-friendly skip bin hire in Adelaide.