Keeping summer clean and safe

NSW Environment Protection Authority–funded waste and recycling advice is urging residents to take extra care with household waste over summer, as warmer months bring increased gatherings and extra rubbish.

Summer is a time for family gatherings and fun with friends, but it can also lead to more waste around the home and in the community.

With a few simple actions, households can help keep communities cleaner and safer.

Using reusable plates, cups and cutlery can significantly reduce waste.

Storing leftovers properly helps avoid unnecessary food waste. Borrowing, repairing or repurposing items before buying new can reduce landfill.

Problem waste should always be disposed of safely.

Hosting? Make sorting easy

When hosting gatherings, setting up clearly labelled bins for recycling, general waste and FOGO food and garden organics can make disposal easier for guests.

Recyclables should be kept loose and rinsed before being placed in the yellow-lid bin.

Only food scraps and garden prunings should go into the green-lid bin, where the waste is turned into compost for local farms.

Problem waste

Household clean-ups often uncover items that do not belong in kerbside bins.

Problem waste includes batteries, paint, e-waste, oils, gas bottles, fluorescent lights and smoke alarms.

Batteries are especially dangerous and are the leading cause of fires in waste trucks and waste facilities across the Northern Rivers.

Safe disposal options

Loose handheld batteries including AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, 6V and button batteries can be recycled for free at major grocery and hardware stores.

Community Recycling Centres accept up to 20kg or 20 litres of problem waste per visit, including loose handheld and car batteries, at no cost, with eight centres located across the Northern Rivers.

Electronic items with embedded or built-in batteries, including vapes, e-scooters, cordless vacuum

cleaners and smart watches, can also be disposed of for free at approved facilities.

Summer should be about fun, not overflowing bins or hazardous waste.

By recycling correctly and disposing of problem waste safely, residents can help protect homes, communities and the environment.

This project is part of the NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy and is funded from the waste levy.

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