Managing rubbish
The Rubbish Mountain
Last year, Darwin landfilled over 85 000 tonnes of waste
material at the Shoal Bay Waste Disposal Site. This quantity
is approximately one tonne of waste per person — every man,
woman and child.
Australia spends hundreds of millions a year getting rid of
rubbish and rates second in the world as a waste-producing
nation. Rubbish and its management is a major problem for
many councils because we produce more rubbish today than
ever before in human history. Cities are running out of places
to put their rubbish and pollution problems at some tips are
becoming serious. However, concern about today’s mountain of
rubbish and the throwaway mentality is taking hold and many
people now realise the urgency of the problem and want to do
something to help.
Many families and individuals are working hard at recycling in their
work places and homes. Where once the individual effort seemed
of little help, the individual efforts of many are now turning the tide
and almost one fifth of Darwin's domestic rubbish was recycled
last year.
A lot is in the Package
At least a third of Australian domestic rubbish comes from
commercial packaging. The simple step of using less and more
environment-friendly packaging would soon decrease the waste
generated.
Over-packaging is one of the biggest contributors to our waste
problem. Reducing packaging keeps our streets cleaner, requires
fewer resources, leads to less pollution. It also means that less
land is needed for dumping. Re-using and recycling are the most
environmentally aware options for waste disposal and many local
councils in different parts of the world are establishing strong
recycling strategies.
The Shoal Bay Waste Disposal Site
The Shoal Bay Waste Disposal Site in Leanyer in Darwin’s northern
suburbs is open every day of the year from 7.00am-6.00pm except
on Christmas Day when slightly shorter hours may apply. There
are three areas in which to dump rubbish: the transfer station for
domestic waste, the mulching area for commercial and domestic
clean loads of garden waste, and the tip face for commercial waste
and large items. Cooperation in rubbish dumping is essential for
responsible management of the tip.
Recyclable materials can be left at the drop off facility near the
main gate or in the marked areas at the transfer station.
Shoal Bay Salvage Depot shop
A salvage contractor operates on the site to salvage usable items
and materials. Each year many tonnes of recyclable metals are
removed for sale as scrap metal. Many other items and materials are
transferred to the Salvage Shop where the community can inspect
them with the view to buying cheap, second-hand goods. Everyone
is encouraged to deposit all useful items at the Salvage Depot
rather than disposing of them in the bins or at the tip face.
why not recycle at home work and play
We all recycle at home, it's easy and convenient and is a good
way to do our bit to help the environment.
Why not start a recycling program in your work place. Contact
your local waste service provider for details on recycling
services for businesses. Let everyone know that they can
recycle at work, it's as easy as it is at home.
Don't forget to recycle when you're out having fun or on holiday.
Simply collect your recyclables in a bag and take them home
for your recycling bin. If you're on holidays ask a local how to
recylce.
Kerbside Recycling
Council's kerbside recycling service commenced in the Darwin
Municipality in 1997. The service provides every resident with
a handy and convenient recycling system.
The recycling bins have a 240 litre capacity and a yellow lid for
easy identification. Information stickers inside the bin lid explain
use and acceptable recyclable materials.
Acceptable products for the kerbside recycling service are:
• aluminium and steel cans
• glass
• plastics (PET and HDPE - check the recycling
stamps on the bottom - these are marked with a
1 or 2.
• paper and cardboard
• liquid paperboard (eg milk cartons)
• steel cans
Only these products listed should be placed in your yellow lidded
recycling bin. All other waste should go into your rubbish bin.
Recyclables should be empty, clean and dry before being placed
loose in the yellow-lidded recycling bin.
Shoal Bay Waste Disposal Site Management
The Shoal Bay Waste Disposal Site is managed under contract and
operates to current environmental legislation and guidelines.
Mulching
The mulching machine mulches separated green waste brought
to the site. However, this green waste must be uncontaminated
by other materials.
Mulching provides an effective alternative for managing organic
rubbish. Last year it resulted in around ten thousand tonnes of
green waste being diverted from the Disposal Site.
Household Chemicals
Many household chemicals can add to the toxicity of waste
being burried in landfill. To help minimise the toxicity of
waste going to landfill residents can take their household
chemicals to Shoal Bay Waste Disposal site. Chemicals,
pesticides, fertilisers, batteries and chemical products for the
kitchen, bathroom and laundry can be taken to Shoal Bay.
Pharmaceutical medicine wastes can be dropped off at local
chemists participating in the Opal Medicine Collection Scheme.
Leachate
Leachate is an undesirable but unavoidable by-product of the
landfill method of waste disposal.
Leachate will be comprehensively managed on site to avoid any
contamination of the environment.
The Leachate at Shoal Bay Waste Disposal Site is collected
and irrigated over revegetated areas, utilising its nutrient-rich
properties. The revegetation of garbage disposal areas is an
important environmental issue and the use of leachate for irrigation,
particularly in the dry season, enhances plant growth.
Landfill Gas
Landfill gas is another undesirable but inevitable by-product of
the landfill method of waste disposal. Landfill gas is a mixture
of methane and carbon dioxide which is produced when organic
material breaks down.
The undesirable effects of landfill gas are the odours,
atmospheric emissions, an increased fire hazard and a slowing
of revegetation.
Primarily constituted of methane, properly tapped landfill gas can
be a valuable resource for energy production. However, if allowed
to escape into the atmosphere, it adds to the greenhouse effect.
Council has signed a contract for the extracting landfill gas from
the Shoal Bay Waste Disposal Site for power generation.
Car Bodies and White Goods
Car bodies can be deposited at Shoal Bay waste disposal site for
a fee. Many metal recyclers around Darwin will accept car bodies
for free. White goods can also be deposited at Shoal Bay's vehicle
and white goods area.