The following list of FAQ’s has been composed in response to questions from residents. If you do not find a satisfactory answer here, please email your questions to email@willoughby.nsw.gov.au or contact the Waste Projects Officer on 9777 7730. There is additional information available on the A-Z of recycling on the Willoughby Council website or on the Planet Ark website www.recyclingnearyou.com.au.
Can I put recycling in plastic bags?
Please NEVER put recycling or green waste in plastic bags. Plastic bags are not recyclable; they clog the machines and cause contamination resulting in the whole load having to be discarded into landfill.
Should I take the lids off the plastic bottles that I recycle?
Yes. Lids are made of a different type of plastic to bottles. They are made of a ‘low density polyethelene (LDPE)', whilst plastic bottles are made of ‘high density polyethelene (HDPE). There is currently no recycling end-market for LDPE so the lids should be discarded into general rubbish.
However, having removed the lids, please ensure that all bottles are empty – any liquid within a bottle can spill and ruin other recyclable products. Also, the weight of a half-full bottle makes it more difficult for automated systems to recognise it as a recyclable item.
Why can’t I put broken drinking glasses, window glass or mirrors in the recycling bin?
Kitchenware, mirrors and windows are made of heat-strengthened material and melt at a higher temperature than glass used for jars and bottles. This means that these materials will not melt during the recycling process and cause contamination of the finished product (5g of this material in 1 ton of glass is enough to contaminate the whole load).
Why do I need to wash out my recycled bottles and cans?
Dirty recyclables attract vermin to your bin and can be unpleasant for workers at the sorting plant. Rinse out your recycling in your washing up water to conserve water.
Can pizza boxes be recycled?
Pizza boxes that have no food residue can be recycled. However, if there are traces of food on the box, please dispose of it with your general rubbish.
How do I dispose of compact fluorescent lights?
Compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s) contain a small amount of mercury (about 5 milligrams) sealed within the glass tubing. CFL’s should not be discarded into landfill as the mercury can leak into the environment. The correct way to dispose of CFL’s is into recycling – either through a Chemical Cleanout event or through an E-waste collection. However, broken CFL’s need to be wrapped in newspaper, bagged and put into the garbage as there are currently no systems set up for disposal of these items.
What does the numbering on plastic containers mean?
The numbering within the triangle refers to the different types of plastic used to make up the container. Not all plastic containers are recyclable. Currently Council can recycle plastic containers bearing the ‘R” symbol and the numbers 1-7. Even though some plastic bags have the recycling symbol and a number they are not recyclable through the kerbside system so please do not put them into the recycling bin.
I missed the E-waste drop-off event. Is there anywhere else I can recycle my electronic material?
Willoughby Council aims to hold two E-waste events per year (check our website for updates). At other times residents can contact the companies directly for alternative recycling options. Visit the recycling near you website. Fees may apply.
What can I do with my old batteries?
Phone batteries can be recycled for free at Council’s Help & Service Centre. Car batteries and single use batteries can be taken to the Artarmon Waste & Recycling Centre at Lanceley Place (fees apply) or dropped off at the Department of Environment and Climate Change Chemical Cleanout events (see www.cleanout.com.au for locations and dates). Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at Battery World, 5 Mitchell Road Brookvale (9939 2439) or 39 Church Street Ryde (9807 8582).