Product Reuse and Recycling Guide

Product sharing and swapping

FreeCycle is a global network of websites that facilitate the free exchange of unwanted goods. FreeCycle is like eBay but free. FreeCycle works on the premise that your trash is someone else's treasure, it's a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills. If you have something you can give away, rather than through out, there's probably a FreeCycle group in your area.

E-cycled is an Australian based sharing site with the philosophy: "Just because something isn't worth selling doesn't mean it's worthless".

Mobile Phones
Take it to any major mobile phone retailer (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Dick Smith, Harvey Norman, Virgin Mobile etc). Visit www.mobilemuster.com and enter your postcode to find your nearest mobile phone recycler. Clean Up Australia also collects and recycles mobile phones, call 1800 282 329 or visit their website to have a postage-paid satchel mailed to you.

Printer cartridges
Look for the "Cartridges 4 Planet Ark" boxes at your local Australia Post, Harvey Norman store, Officeworks, Dick Smith or Tandy stores or click here to find your closest venue.

Computers and printers
There are numerous companies and charities which resell or recycle computers - just do a web search or try:
Computerbank
Technical Aid to the disabled

Or click here to find your closest venue.

e-Waste recycling companies include:
SIMS Recycling Solutions. In addition to computer equipment recycling they also refurbish and resell computer equipment.
Dell computers
MRI

Plastic supermarket bags
Recycling bins are found in most major supermarkets
(Woolworths, Coles, Safeway etc) but will not accept thick plastic bags.

Corks
Girl Guides National Cork Recycling Program - a range of
businesses collect corks on behalf of the Guides including
The Body Shop stores. Call 02 9319 7206 or visit their website

Household Chemicals
(paints, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, gas bottles, engine oil etc)
Household chemicals drop-off centres are located around
Australia - call your council for advice on the nearest drop-off point or collection day.

Cars and Car parts
A number of car parts dealers will recycle used cars and parts
See the Auto Parts Recyclers Association of Australia (APRAA), or ask your local panel beater or car parts dealer.

Motor Oil
Click here to find out where you can take your old motor oil for recycling.

Car batteries
Take them to any car battery retailer or mechanic for recycling.

Furniture, Appliances, Household Goods
Take them to:
- Charity shops
- Second hand clothes, books, music shops
Our Community is an Australian online community portal full of great information, where you can find local places to accept your clothing or furniture donations.

Some e-Waste recyclers will take household appliances:
SIMS Recycling Solutions
MRI

Reuse Shops
Discover a bargain at your local reuse shop. Every state has at least one so check in your phone book to find the nearest to you. A selection of the few that have websites are also listed below:


Clothes
Swapstyle - the world's biggest fashion swap party

Swapping clothes that are unwanted, yet still in good condition, has taken off as a trend, with people holding local clothes-swap parties across the country. Swapstyle provides an online market you can visit to donate clothes, shoes, and accessories and to find great items that others have donated. Swapstyle is global but once you create an account you can select items from people who live near you to reduce the travel miles (and therefore greenhouse gas emissions) your new item will involve.

Clothing Exchange

Compact fluorescent light globes

Because they contain small amounts of mercury, CFLs should be treated as household hazardous waste and recycled appropriately.

In Victoria CFLs can be returned through the Detox Your Home program or call 1800 353 233.
In NSW they can be returned to the Household Chemical CleanOut or call 131 555.

Check with your state’s waste authority about your local options. You can also recycle CFLs at all Ikea stores.

Updated March 2010

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