Canberrans get one free bulky waste collection a year. Photo: Dominic Giannini.
Canberrans are being urged to take advantage of the government’s free bulky waste collection scheme and book in ahead of the Spring cleaning rush.
More than 6000 Canberrans have participated in the scheme since it started a year ago, and 1500 Belconnen residents have booked a free pick up since the scheme expanded in April,
A further 400 Canberrans pre-booked a collection in the last month ahead of the scheme’s expansion into the inner-north and the inner-south this month.
Households can book in one free bulky item collection of up to two cubic metres each year for a range of items, including furniture, household appliances, white goods and electrical equipment.
Hazardous materials such as batteries and fuel will not be collected.
Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said he was pleased with the amount of bulky waste collected that could be recycled and passed on to charities like GIVIT, The Salvation Army and Vinnies.
These organisations also help pair items with people who need them.
Households can put out up to two cubic metres of bulky waste. Photo: Dominic Giannini.
More than 40 per cent of collected goods can be reused, which is four times higher than the national average of 10 per cent, Mr Steel said.
“It means that we’re diverting valuable metals, white goods and other items from going to landfill and giving some items a second life whilst providing a valuable service to the community,” he said.
The government originally set a 30 per cent resource recovery rate with collection company Suez.
The government is also looking at hosting a last-chance Saturdays event where any items that have not been reused by partner organisations and charities can be picked up by the public for free.
Mr Steel said the only reason such an event has not been held is that all of the items which have been picked up have been reused.
Once the scheme’s rollout is fully expanded across the ACT, a higher number of items are expected to be collected, meaning such an event is more viable, he said.
To book a bulky waste collection and find out what is and is not eligible for collection, visit www.act.gov.au/bulkywaste.
Residents do not need to be home for the collection appointment, but all bulky waste items must be left inside the property boundary and in an easily accessible location by 7:00 am on the morning of collection.
Canberrans can also visit Recyclopaedia at www.act.gov.au/recyclopaedia for advice on disposing of a range of household items.
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