Fluorescent Light Globes

Compact fluorescent tubes and globes (CFLs) contain mercury and should be disposed of correctly. Globes cannot be recycled through the yellow bin system, however by dropping them of at the Lithgow Solid Waste Facility they can be recycled through other methods. For more information on the facility visit our landfills information page. CFLs will also be collected at the annual ‘Household Chemical Cleanout’. Dates have not yet been set for 2014, but contact your local Council for more details. If you are unable to visit one of the drop off points then CFLs can be placed in the red lidded waste bin as a last resort, but only after wrapping in paper to avoid breakages.

Cleaning up broken CFL light bulbs containing mercury

The short-term nature of the potential exposure to mercury (particularly after effective clean-up of broken CFL material) does not constitute a significant health risk to exposed adults, pregnant women or children. By following these instructions for clean-up and disposal as a cautionary approach, it will help to further reduce any risks:

• First, open nearby windows and doors to allow the room to ventilate for 15 minutes before cleaning up the broken light bulb. Turn off air conditioning or heating equipment which could recirculate mercury vapours back into the room.
• Use disposable rubber gloves rather than bare hands.
• Do not use a vacuum cleaner or broom on hard surfaces because this can spread the contents of the light bulb and contaminate the cleaner. Instead, scoop up broken material (e.g. using stiff paper or cardboard) if possible into a glass container which can be sealed with a metal lid.
• Use a disposable brush to carefully sweep up the pieces.
• Wipe up any remaining glass fragments or powders using sticky tape, a damp cloth or damp paper.
• On carpets or fabrics, carefully remove as much glass or powdered material as possible using a scoop and sticky tape. If vacuuming is needed to remove residual material you will need to discard the vacuum bag or thoroughly wipe clean the vacuum cleaner canister afterwards.
• Finally, dispose of any clean-up equipment such as gloves, brush, damp paper and sealed containers containing pieces of broken light bulb in your outside rubbish bin—never in your recycling bin.

  While not all of the recommended clean-up and disposal equipment described above may be available (particularly a suitably sealed glass container) it is important to remember to remove broken CFL and clean-up materials to an outside rubbish bin (preferably sealed) as soon as possible. This will reduce the potential contamination indoors.

Polystyrene Foam Meat Trays

Foam or Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) materials cannot be collected in the Council recycling service through the yellow lidded bin and should instead be placed in the red lidded general waste bin.

Confusion with polystyrene

Some polystyrene materials such as foam cups, trays or foam packaging are marked with the below symbol. This symbol is part of the Plastic Identification Code and simply identifies the type of plastic the product is - not if it can be recycled. People often confuse the 'plastic identification code' for the general recycling symbol (mobius loop), which involves three chasing arrows.

Food Waste

Food scraps and waste can be disposed of in the red lidded general waste bin. Alternatively you could use a home compost system or worm farm to deal with food waste. The average NSW household throws out 315kg of food waste per year. This equates to about 38% of your kerbside garbage bin and costs about $1036 in wasted food. When wasted food is thrown away and breaks down in landfill it generates methane, a major greenhouse gas and contributor to climate change. The NSW government has started the ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’ program which provides information on food waste as well as hints and tips for buying and storing food to prevent waste. For more information visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au.

Whitegoods

Fridges should not be disposed of in any domestic kerbside bins. Fridges and other whitegoods are generally composed of valuable metals and plastics which can be recovered if disposed of if returned to one of Lithgow's landfill facilities. For more information on these facilities including opening hours visit our landfills information page. Fridges cannot be disposed of at any of Lithgow's Transfer Stations.  

Food Waste

Food scraps and other food waste can be disposed of in the red lidded general waste bin. Alternatively you could use a home compost system or worm farm to deal with food waste. The average NSW household throws out 315kg of food waste per year. This equates to about 38% of your kerbside garbage bin and costs about $1036 in wasted food. When wasted food is thrown away and breaks down in landfill it generates methane, a major greenhouse gas and contributor to climate change. The NSW government has started the ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’ program which provides information on food waste as well as hints and tips for buying and storing food to prevent waste. For more information visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au.

Furniture

If furniture is in good condition it can be donated to local charities. Damaged furniture can be disposed of at any of Lithgow's landfill facilities. For more information on these facilities including opening hours visit our landfills information page. Furniture cannot be disposed of at any of Lithgow's Transfer Stations.