What Happens to Our Recyclables
Hunter Resource Recovery is the recycling contractor employed by Maitland City Council to collect recyclables in the Maitland local government area. Recycling bins are emptied at the kerbside before recyclables are transferred to a transfer station at Gateshead where they are separated into paper and cardboard and all other recyclables. From here the recyclables are taken by recyclable type, ie. Paper and cardboard or all other recyclable materials to Visy Recycling where contaminants of the paper and cardboard stream are removed and the other recycling materials are sorted into material types such as plastic, aluminium, glass, etc. Recyclable materials are then packaged by type to be sold on to make new items. Recyclables are sold to industry within Australia and Asia for remanufacture.
Currently all plastics are sold to China. Plastics are separated into different types before they are used to make new items such as fabric, carpet, toys, electrical goods, storage containers, etc. Once purified it can also be used for new plastic bottles and containers.
Steel is sold to Simsmetal and is recycled into new steel products such as washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, motor vehicle parts, steel cans and building products.
All glass is recycled via ACI and is made into new glass bottles and jars by blending the recycled stock with raw material. Small glass or glass fines as they are known, are used for sandblasting, glazing of tiles and sandpaper.
Paper is sorted and sold for newsprint use. Australia now uses 82% recycled paper in their news print compared to 1997 when we imported around 80% of newspaper rolls from virgin material such as Asian rainforests. VISY buy most of the paper stock and some is exported to overseas markets.
All cardboard is recycled via VisyBoard who recycle the product into new cardboard products.
Aluminium is sold locally and is used for new aluminium products such as cans, car components and building products.
Steel and aluminium pots and pans are also sold to local merchants and used for the manufacture of new products.
For further information on Hunter Resource Recovery visit the link below:
For further information on recycling opportunities in the Maitland Local Government Area visit the following link:
Ewaste Collection
Ewaste Collection is held throughout the year across the Maitland Local Government Area. The day allows for ewaste items to be collected for recycling. The service is offered free of charge to all Maitland residents.
Ewaste is any electronic waste item. It includes such things as televisions, VCR & DVD players, microwaves, mobile phones, printers and portable kitchen appliances.
For upcoming collection dates call 1800 838 884 or visit www.hrr.com.au/about-recycling/ewaste-recycling/.
Wicked Wastes
7 Wicked Wastes (PDF - 86kb)
What goes in which bin? (The A-Z of Waste) (PDF - 133kb)
Recycling opportunities for non bin items (Waste Management Factsheet) (PDF - 757kb)
Household Chemical Collection
In association with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Council undertakes collections throughout the year of unwanted chemical collections.
The collection allows for items such as solvents, household cleaners, fluorescent globes & tubes, car batteries, motor oil, fuels, paint, pesticides & herbicides, poisons, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, pool chemicals, acids & alkalis to be dropped off free of charge for safe disposal.
For information on upcoming events visit www.cleanout.com.au.
DrumMuster
DrumMuster is a service which allows for the collection and recycling of unwanted empty agricultural and veterinary products. Containers elegible for recycling carry the DrumMuster logo as seen below.
drumMUSTER provides:
- an environmentally responsible solution for chemical users to the problem of disposing their empty chemical containers;
- helps property owners to keep their property clean of potential contamination;
- encourages good farming practice and meets Qualtiy Assurance obligations; and
- supports the preservation of the wider environment.
DrumMUSTER products are recycled into useful everyday items such as street signs, irrigation piping, plant stakes and outdoor furniture.
For information on upciming events visit www.drummuster.com.au/collection.php.
For information on Waste in Maitland please visit the Residents & Community section of Council's Website.
Other Useful Recycling Links:-
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