Waste management and recycling have taken a huge step sideways since December 2019 when the pandemic first began. On the local front, many plants will close as sorting recycling by hand while maintaining COVID-19 health and safety standards is almost impossible. Recycling businesses that remain open are plotting a new way forward and need our active commitment to a healthier planet for them to survive.There is only one solution for household and business waste going forward, you must sort into categories, place into clear plastic bags, and drop or arrange collection once done. This is critical as a single mistake in sorting can close a recycling plant!
Guide to the separate categories for your recycling;
Paper (old books, newspapers, magazines all with staples removed)
Board (cardboard, boxes)
Glass (containers - jars and bottles no metal lids)
Plastics hard (containers – bottles – plastic lids)
Plastics soft (shopping carry bags, bread bags)
Milk cartons (lids off and pack separately, cleaned, and squashed flat)
Metal (Food and drink cans, metal lids removed form bottles)
Tetra Packs (foil-lined containers e.g. milk and juice boxes)
Important notes:
• Remove all caps and lids and place in correct categories
• Empty all contents and rinse (bottles and jars)
• Flatten all plastic and paper containers/boxes
• Ensure that bottles are not broken
• Remove all caps and lids and place in correct categories
• Empty all contents and rinse (bottles and jars)
• Flatten all plastic and paper containers/boxes
• Ensure that bottles are not broken
It is important to note that there are items that must go to your “Other Waste” bin as these will not be accepted or collected by Central Waste;
Chemicals: medicine, paint, solvents
Organics (Food leftovers, vegetable and fruit peels, garden waste are meant for your composting system and if you do not have one find a neighbour who does!)
Clothing
Disposable nappies
E-waste e.g. cell phones
Batteries
Polystyrene
Whiles some components of the waste listed above are recyclable, they are not processed by Central Waste.
Complimentary Service for Confidential Shredding
Central Waste offers a confidential shredding service, this is available free for paper collections that exceed 1 cubic metre. Your papers will be collected and shredded at no charge if you live in Hilton, Howick, Merrivale or Pietermaritzburg. A Certificate confirming that your documents have been confidentially shredded is available if you need one.
Caption: Isaac Mchunu - Central Waste
More about Central Waste.