Given society’s unsustainable rates of consumption and waste generation, it’s never been more important to find alternatives to traditional waste management. Large volumes of commercial, industrial and household waste continue to rot in landfill causing a whole host of further environmental problems when it could be used sustainably to benefit local communities.
There are a huge number of waste streams these days that can be recycled and given a second life as high-quality composts or soil blends that improve soil fertility and enhance growth rates. If you’re unsure exactly what can be recycled these days (and there’s a lot), then read on to find out.
Food organics and garden organics
Food waste has traditionally been under-recycled in Australia, with food waste and similar products typically being placed into a general rubbish bin rather than being recycled. However, this nutrient-rich material can be a great source of recycled products that deliver value right out of the rubbish bin.
What can be recycled?
- Solid food waste (including whole fruits and vegetables)
- Flowers and herbs
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Egg shells
- Coffee grounds and tea bags
- Paper towel
- Manure
- Compostable food packaging
Green waste
Green waste can be differentiated from other types of waste by the fact that it can be composted. It needs to be processed differently to other types of waste, and has many benefits once processed.
What can be recycled?
- Untreated and heat-treated timbers
- Grass clippings
- Flower, shrub and hedge clippings
- Bark
- Woodchips
- Fallen leaves
- Tree branches, twigs or tree prunings
- Tree stumps
- Plants and flowers
- Weeds
- Arbour waste
Liquid waste streams
Liquid waste can comprise any kind of fluid by-product, and often requires careful handling and strict regulation.
What can be recycled?
- Grease trap waste
- Food manufacturing waste
- Fertiliser and fertiliser washings
- Stormwater and stormwater residues
- Oily water and sludges
- Directional drilling mud and waters
- Fly ash and ash water
- Lime and cement slurry
- Sewage sludge
- Treatment tank sludges
Solid waste streams
Solid waste comprises a wide variety of products and is often generated by households, councils or industrial premises.
What can be recycled?
- Compostable plastics
- Meat and Dairy processing wastes
- Mud and dirt
- Animal manures
- Food processing waste
- Filter cake and process sludge
- Biosolids
If you’d like to talk to one of our experts about how we can provide you with an award-winning solution in waste recycling, get in contact with NuGrow here.