Table Of Contents
Electronic Waste Removal And Recycling
Printers often have frequent upgrades to new models, so what should you do when you've used your old one to its final capacity? Although many old machines still end up in landfills, it is possible to recycle used printers and most other electronic and electrical devices.
Australia is among the world's top five producers of e-waste per capita, posing a serious environmental problem. However, some services and schemes recycle printers and other electronic waste, making it easy to contribute to our recycling efforts.
Our homes and businesses are becoming increasingly populated with electronic devices and appliances as we move into the digital age. When we talk about electronic waste or e-waste, we mean anything electronic that's been lying around the house collecting dust. Everything from TV sets and old phones to computer monitors is included in this category.
By hiring a skip bin, we can safely dispose of our old electronic devices in an environmentally friendly manner. So, why is it necessary to recycle electronic waste?
Importance Of Recycling E-Waste
It's no secret that e-waste can turn toxic as it accumulates in landfills. Mercury, cadmium, and lead can leach from these devices if they are disposed of improperly in landfills. These metals can then seep into the soil and contaminate nearby groundwater sources.
Reusing and recycling old TVs and computers is a great option because many of the materials used in these devices can be recycled and reused in new products. Due to this method, recycling facilities can recycle other valuable resources like aluminium, zinc, gold, and platinum. TV recycling could reduce CO2 emissions by 23,000 tonnes if half of the TVs disposed of in a year were recycled.
Product Stewardship Act 2011
We all have a large role to play in reducing our environmental footprint. The Product Stewardship Act 2011 was enacted by the Australian government to combat waste and recycling and reduce waste dumped in landfills across the country.
The first electronic products to be regulated due to this legislation were televisions and computers.
Advantages Of Recycling Printers
To protect the environment and recover non-renewable resources, recycling your old printer can be a great idea, no matter how old it is or how long it has been in use. Instead of dumping hazardous materials like mercury into landfills where they can pollute the soil and waterways, it is possible to recycle old printers and cartridges.
Recycling facilities can recover other non-renewable materials from electronic devices that have reached the end of their useful life, such as steel, aluminium, copper, and gold. Mineral extraction and processing can be minimised by recovering and reusing components from obsolete devices.
Aside from consuming fewer resources, mining and processing raw metals and other resources is also more energy-intensive.
Various Types Of Skip Bins
No doubt you've seen lots of different skip bins, but perhaps you haven't given them much thought. To put it simply, think of a skip bin as a giant recycling bin that can hold a lot of unwanted trash. You'll see skip bins that can hold between 2 and 30 cubic metres of trash.
Typically, skip bins hired by clients are delivered by companies that then remove them after a predetermined period of time. To order a skip bin, you will measure the length or square metres of the bin and add an estimate of the cubic metres.
Skip bins come in a variety of sizes and styles. Asbestos, soil, and dirt are just a few examples of the many different types of waste that you can only dispose of in a skip bin. Let's look at the types of skip bins according to the materials they can contain.
E-Waste or Electronic Waste
Skip bins specifically for electronic waste can contain electronics such as:
• Televisions
• Printers and scanners
• Computer monitors
• Cameras
• Radios
• Phones
• Calculators
• DVD, MP3, and CD players
So yes, you definitely can put a printer in a skip bin, provided it's e-waste skip bin.
General Light Waste
Skip bins for general light waste can contain the following type of waste materials:
• Old, broken, and useless items from homes, garages, and sheds which make up household junk.
• Tree branches, dead plants, hedge clippings, leaves, and grass clippings are all examples of green waste that you can dispose of.
• Old fencing, old decking, and old firewood are all examples of timber that can be disposed of.
• Filing cabinets, desks, chairs, and coffee tables, are examples of furniture allowable for disposal. Other examples include lamps that don't use light bulbs and dressers and mattresses.
• Everything from plates and bowls to clothing and shoes is included in the term "white goods."
• Pots, cookware, old tools, toaster ovens, coffee makers, and other metals.
• Fridges, stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and other appliances.
• Cardboard, polymers, paper, cartons, and books can all be disposed of in these skip bins.
The following items should never be haphazardly disposed of in general light waste skip bins. These materials should only be disposed of using the mixed waste and asbestos skip bins described later, which can safely contain most of these materials:
• The stump of a tree
• Mixing trash with roofing materials
• Construction and building materials
• Remodelling and renovation junks
• Concrete, bricks, soil, and sand
• Tiles
• Turf
• Asbestos
There are two options for disposing of medical and bio-hazardous materials like needles, unused medications, and medical equipment: either a pharmacy or a collection centre.
Hazardous materials include paint, household cleaners and chemicals, combustible liquids, solvents, Freon and oils, oil or gasoline drums, fireworks and ammo.
Mixed Waste
What can you put in skip bins for mixed waste? In a mixed waste skip bin, you can include the following items:
• Turf, sand, and soils.
• Wood and asphalt shingles and other types of roofing materials.
• Sheet rock and drywall are examples of construction and building materials that can be put in mixed waste skip bins.
• Stuff used in construction and remodelling, such as stud walls, doors, windows, plywood, and drywall that supports them.
• Broken pavement and driveways, as well as flooring made of concrete or bricks.
• Tiles
• Rubble
You can drop off all old televisions, radios, computers, and other electronic devices at certified recycling centres under the Australian National Television and Computer Recycling Program at no charge.
Items not allowed in mixed waste skips are the following:
• Stumpy trees
• Electronics
• Car tyres
• Batteries for automobiles
• Asbestos
• Contaminated and bio-hazardous supplies and equipment.
• Bottles, containers, or spray cans of paint, household cleaners, industrial chemicals, combustion products liquids, cleaning agents, Freon, greases, oil drums, oil or fuel tanks, fireworks, or ammunition.
Asbestos Waste
Aside from asbestos, there are no other items that can be placed in the asbestos skip bins. There are no exceptions to this rule. Additionally:
• All of the asbestos that is to be disposed of must be wrapped in thick plastic.
• Each asbestos package can only contain a maximum of seven sheets.
• You or a professional waste remover must securely tape each package of asbestos to prevent any asbestos from escaping from the plastic wrap when it is moved or tipped over.
Since these skip bins are restricted to asbestos, any other garbage is not allowed.
Innovative Waste Disposal Methods
Australia's development of a circular economy necessitates the introduction of new technologies and expertise. Co-funding and collaboration are top of mind for small local businesses looking to expand. Companies that can provide innovative waste management solutions, information systems, and products will be able to take advantage of these opportunities.
By setting government standards for recyclable materials on roads and making recyclable materials a focus of purchasing for transportation systems and defence management services (and general government purchasing), we are establishing new domestic markets for recycled materials.
E-Waste Recycling Scheme
Computer, electronic, or e-waste recycling is the disassembly and separation of parts and components from electronic waste. Even though reusing, donation and repair aren't strictly recycling; these are still common and sustainable ways to try to get rid of e-waste.
Due to growing awareness and investment in recycling, more and more devices are being recycled. Rare earth and precious metals and plastics and metals are some of the primary materials recovered from electronic waste during the recycling process. A circular economy is achieved by purifying and selling or using them in new devices after purification.
Such processes necessitate specialised facilities and premises, but sound components of damaged or obsolete computer systems can often be reused in the home or workplace, thereby reducing replacement costs. Because it keeps toxic waste, such as that containing heavy metals and carcinogens, out of landfills and waterways, recycling is considered very environmentally friendly.
The dangers associated with electronic waste far outweigh their relative insignificance in terms of total waste generation.
Importance Of Recycling Centres
Waste materials are transformed into new materials and objects through recycling. Reusing waste materials to generate energy is often included in this definition. Another way to recycle biodegradable waste is to compost it or reuse it in other ways.
If you have a surplus of recyclables, you can either bring them to a recycling centre or have them picked up from your curb side bins and recycled. In an ideal world, recycling would result in a new supply of a particular material, such as recycled office paper or recycled polystyrene foam.
Hire A Skip Bin To Dispose Of Electronic Waste
When you get a skip bin hire, you're putting yourself in the best position to properly and safely dispose of your electronic waste. When it comes to old printers, TVs, stereos, and other electronics lying around your house or office, you can use an e-waste skip bin for them. You can use skip bins with confidence as they follow the best practices when it comes to waste disposal and recycling.
Hiring a skip bin is likely the most efficient way to get rid of a large amount of e-waste from an old office or business space because businesses typically have more electronics than homes do. The experts in waste disposal will ensure that these devices are recycled in the most environmentally friendly manner possible. So, be sure to hire an e-waste skip bin to properly dispose of that old printer!
Supreme Skips
Supreme Skips have the largest range of skip bins available for hire in the Adelaide, SA region.
