It is widely debated how many tonnes of waste Australian households annually create. In researching this figure for this topic, results returned varied from 15 tonnes to 84,000 tonnes of waste per year. While a concise figure will never be agree upon, it is a commonly accepted fact that, as, household, we do throw out a lot of rubbish. But how much of that waste can actually be recycled? Read on to find out.

A great place to start is the Australian website is Recycling Near You . Brought to us by Planet Ark and Sensis, this website allows you to locate a local recycling centre for a wide range of everyday household items. If you're lucky, you may live in an area where the council collects mixed recycling for you. There are normally stickers describing exactly what you can and cannot put into these bins. A wise reminder: make sure you rinse out milk cartons and clean your pizza boxes before placing them inside the bin. Anything contaminated with food scraps cannot be recycled, and can be a smelly affair for whoever has to sort it out!

aToMik Green is working on WREX (Waste and Resource Exchange) and inspired by our own waste re-use and resource swapping with our warehouse neighbour,  WREX will allow businesses and individuals with a way to reduce landfill and resource consumption. WREX works on the traditional classified ads theory - you post your ad and wait for someone to respond to it. The entire process, including the handing over your waste to the next person, is a free process.

Computers and Components

There are community groups that accept old donated computers. In addition through-out each state there are small but slowly growing number of computer recycling stores that will accept most old computers components. Unfortunately there is no easy way to list either the community group or the stores here, however Recycling Near You do list a small array of groups or business that may be able to assist. Alternatively a Google search and a little private investigation may return some results for you.

Perhaps the closest to a nation wide scheme is a rather impressive program run by computer manufactures Dell. They offer three recycling programs:

• For non Dell computers: For the approximate fee of $36, Dell will pick up ANY brand computer and componants from your home in metropolitan areas only. Contact Dell directly on 1800 465 890 or email them at recycling_dell_au@dell.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information, visit the Dell Recycling page .
• For Dell computers: Dell offer the same service as above, however there is no cost involved. It also  appears to be available Australia wide. Again, go to the Dell Recycling page and click on the green 'Recycle Now' button.
• For Business with Dell computers: Although this service is littered with terms and conditions, it is still quite a impressive and "affordable" service. More information can be found at the Dell Business Recycling page

Another Australian wide collection service is MRI Australia Pty Ltd. Again, there is a pick up fee but they do offer a rebate scheme.

A great program operated by Sustainability Victoria called Byteback. Unfortunately this program is only open to Victoria and does have a limit on how many items you can leave with them.

A suggestion has just been voiced here in the aToMik Green office to make your old computer monitors into fish tanks. It would look more realistic than the Microsoft screen saver version. Just make sure don't have the monitor plugged in when you fill it with water

Corks

Perhaps the easiest collection centre is The Body Shop on behalf of the Girl Guides. Search for your nearest store here or call 02 9319 7206.

Furniture

While researching into what seemed to be a rather straight forward and easy item to recycle or safely dispose of, frustratingly very few results were discovered that we did not already know. Perhaps the most national is a organistation called 'Our Community' who describe themselves as being "a world-leading social enterprise that provides advice and tools for Australia's 700,000 community groups and schools, and practical linkages between the community sector and the general public, business and government." They have what they call a 'Giving' program. You can 'give' all sorts of items, including many listed here. For more information go to the Our Community page for donating furniture and select your state to find your nearest donation centre.

Perhaps the easiest solution is simply opportunity stores. 'Op Shops' will accept furniture, as long as it is in a clean and usable state. Hard rubbish is perhaps the only solution for damaged or soiled furniture.

In a last ditch effort, try local artists and see if they want any furniture to be creative on. Contact local youth hostels and enquire if they want any furniture. Call you local tip and see if they have 'Tip Shops', basically shops based at the tip selling, you guessed it, other people rubbish.

Hard Rubbish

Hard rubbish collections usually occur annually and are a scheme run by your local council. As a result the regularity and rules on what can and can't be disposed of is entirely up to the council itself. Contact your local council for further details. In regards to the 'recycling' side of hard rubbish, please be aware that some councils have outlawed the removal of rubbish from hard rubbish piles. If you do 'glean', be aware that there is now that risk.

Household Chemicals and Paints

The safe disposal of household chemical, including paints relies very much on local council schemes.  Perhaps the easiest way to establish what options are available is by going to Recycling Near You and selecting the link to your local council. It is best not to handle or dispose of chemicals without knowing the precautionary steps you need to take.

Motor Oil

The Australian Government's Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts have established a search engine for the safe disposal of motor oil. This search engine allows you to search for your local centre by either address or through an interactive map. Alternatively contact your local motor mechanic and enquire if they have a collection facility established.

Printer Cartridges

Planet Ark seem to be leading the way when it comes to printer cartridge recycling. Several major retail stores that sell office and computer equipment (Dick Smith, Tandy, Harvey Norman, Officeworks) and all Australian Post Offices have bins called "Cartridges 4 Planet Ark" where you can deposit used cartridges. Alternatively you can contact your local computer store and enquire if they take old cartridges. Finally, it is worth noting that some cartridges can be re-filled and used again. Contact your local computer store for more details.

Plastic Shopping Bags

Wheelie recycling bins are located in most major supermarkets that accept the thinner style of plastic bag we normally get at supermarkets. Thicker style plastic bags, like those from Myer, are not accepted.

Sharing and Swapping Classifieds

There are a growing number of online 'classified' style websites popping up, the basic principal being that your trash is someone else's treasure. The advertising is generally free (some may ask for a donation) and require the 'buyer' to pick the item up from a convenient place. Some of the more popular sites are Freecycle and e-cycled.

White Goods

When purchasing new white goods, enquire if the retailer offer a recycling or safe disposal program. There is invariably a cost associated with this, especially if the old goods are being taken to recycling centre. However the convenience factor is sometimes worth the price.

Most metal scrap yards will accept white goods, and you may even make a small quid out of it. Contact your local scrap yard for more details.

Hard rubbish collections usually take old white goods, however there are usually strict guidelines that you have to abide by to ensure the good are picked up, for eg, fridge doors may need to be removed. Contact your local council for more details.

It is worth noting that opportinity shops WILL NOT accept any white goods, or any electrical goods for that matter.