Waste collection methods in Australia have developed alongside the country’s industrialisation. Its methods seek to find the safest and most environmentally friendly waste management systems.
Understanding the most common waste collection methods will give both businesses and households a better understanding of waste management in Australia. Knowing this will allow people to make more informed decisions about their required waste collection service.
This blog outlines 8 common waste collection methods. Despite the range discussed below, it is still important to consult a professional waste management company like Cleanway to determine the best method for your specific waste management and collection needs.
Waste Collection Explained
Modern waste collection strategies are shaped through the most recent techniques that the world has adopted in the 21st century. These green waste management services follow the principles of best practices for the environment in order to promote a better and cleaner tomorrow.
These systems are geared towards harnessing new technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. However, ethical practices such as recycling, which, in essence, is meant to enhance environmental well-being, are also adopted.
Waste Management Services
Apart from managing generated waste, the goal of waste management services includes finding ways to minimise waste produced in the first place. They also sort what has been deposited for disposal so as to lessen the volume that requires disposal. Typical waste management services include the collection of recyclable items, provision of kerbside bins, management of garden organic waste, and operation of municipal waste management transfer stations.
Cleanway and other Australian rubbish management companies deal with various types of rubbish. The most common include solid waste, e-waste, hazardous waste, food organic waste, garden waste, and organic waste. Liquid waste and solid waste are two of the most common types of waste.
Kerbside Collection
Kerbside collection is a popular method of waste management used in cities and the outskirts of cities. In this method, households are instructed to keep their refuse and recycling bins on the kerb of the road for waste management services to collect it as per a schedule.
Kerbside collection is important for the tidiness and sanitation of communities. Furthermore, regular collection of waste from residential and commercial areas reduces the risk of garbage build-up and the resultant health problems and bad smells.
The types of waste collected during kerbside collection differ depending on local policies concerning waste disposal and recycling programmes. Generally, household waste that is collected includes paper, clothing, plastic, glass, and metal. These types of waste are regarded as recyclable materials and are usually collected from kerbside bins every week. Most kerbside waste comes from residential properties.
Drop-off Centres
Drop-off centres are important in waste disposal as they provide an easy place for individuals and businesses to get rid of wastes and materials that can be recycled. Usually, these centres are run and maintained by local councils or authorities in charge of waste management. They have been set up to provide several waste disposal/recycling services to the people in the area.
Besides, drop-off centres will also accept a wide range of waste types such as household waste, electronic waste, construction and demolition waste, yard waste, etc. These centres assist the community’s waste management needs by providing flexible waste disposal measures which help in meeting the community needs.
Apart from waste collection, some drop-off centres do provide recycling services where the public can segregate materials that are recyclable from the general waste. Recycling is one of the most effective ways to conserve the environment, as it effectively prevents the use of new raw materials.
Commercial Waste Collection
Waste creation is not limited to homes only, but businesses from different industries generate waste on a daily basis. Such waste contains paper, cardboard, plastics, food waste, and other rubbish. This makes the effective management and disposal of commercial waste an important activity for businesses and the environment.
The collection, transport, and disposal of different types of waste in a safe manner that will not harm the environment are vital parts of waste collection services. These services usually entail the use of special containers, vehicles, and trained staff who can safely compartmentalise different waste materials for separate disposal.
Apart from the normal garbage collection services, most commercial waste management service providers also offer waste auditing, consultation, and even recycling services to help companies comply with environmental requirements and regulations on waste disposal.
Skip Bin Hire
Skip bins are an innovative way to take advantage of waste management services due to their practicality. They can be used for so many things, such as house restorations, building works, gardening, and even cleaning a messy office.
Personal users appreciate skip bins a lot when they are doing renovations on a house, cleaning up a lot of useless items, or even when they move into a new house. In the case of businesses, they use skip bins for construction sites, during office renovations, and even to get rid of general junk.
The biggest advantage of using skip bins is that they provide the most accessible means of disposal of waste. Users get to determine the size of the skip bin so they are only charged for what is needed. Moreover, skip bins can be used to hold different types of waste, such as ordinary domestic waste, garden refuse, construction waste, and even materials that can be recycled.
Organic Waste Collection
To prevent as much waste as possible from entering landfills, a number of Councils in Australia have started offering organic waste collection. This means that residents and businesses are encouraged to segregate organic waste, which in turn reduces its impact on the environment through decomposition processes.
This aligns with broader sustainability goals, enabling the reduction of greenhouse gases generated due to waste in landfills. Organic waste is also convertible into compost and other useful products, which is another step in fostering a circular economy and efficient waste management.
Mobile Waste Collection Services
Mobile waste collection services are becoming a popular service in remote areas as they offer convenience. These services help improve the situation for residents of such regions who are often faced with limited waste services frameworks. This helps ensure that waste management is practised correctly, thus contributing to environmental sustainability.
The flexibility of mobile waste collection services is one of the greatest benefits of this innovation. Taking into consideration the geographic location, population, and even the type of waste being produced, these services can be tailored uniquely for every community. Most communities have fixed waste collection days.
Moreover, mobile waste collection services can be arranged according to the particular specifications of different regions, offering a greater degree of sophistication as well as operational efficiency relative to conventional static waste collection systems.
Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Collection
One of the most alarming environmental issues that have emerged as a result of advances in technology is e-waste or electronic pollution. The burgeoning use and incessant replacement of electronic gadgets like smartphones, personal computers, and tablets.
A specialised group of e-waste collectors properly disassemble these devices and isolate the hazardous components from the useful ones. Old computers, television sets, printers, and other electronic appliances are some of the many items that can be dismantled. Most of them offer places where customers from both individuals and enterprises can leave their e-waste for safe and environmentally friendly disposal.
In addition, these collection services make it possible to recover and recycle many valuable elements, including copper, gold, and rare earth metals, subsequently reducing the need for destructive mining.
Disposal At Controlled Landfill
Even though it is essential to lessen the amounts of waste sent to landfills, controlled landfill disposal is still a warranted waste management technique. Landfills used in Australia today are built with concern for the environment in mind. These landfills incorporate advanced engineering techniques to minimise environmental impact.
To prevent groundwater contamination, they feature impermeable liners and a mechanism for leachate collection. Moreover, many landfills are now constructed with the ability to capture and use methane gas that is emitted from decomposing waste in order to convert it into a useful form of energy.
Further, the operators of the landfills adopt thorough monitoring and maintenance activities to protect the ground and demonstrate compliance with the set laws and regulations. Moreover, public education and waste reduction initiatives are promoted to decrease reliance on landfills and encourage sustainable waste management practices.
Conclusion
Understanding the various waste collection methods in Australia is essential for individuals and businesses looking to enhance their waste management practices. By choosing the right method, you can contribute to a more sustainable future while ensuring compliance with local regulations.