Landfills are brimming with Australia’s waste, mostly comprised of white goods. You do not have to be a strong advocate of nature to agree that this situation is not good for the environment. That’s why households and businesses need to understand the benefits of recycling white goods.
What are White Goods?
Many people own various items designed to make day to day tasks more manageable and life more comfortable. Examples include clothes dryers, fridges, ovens, and air conditioners. These things are considered white goods, and most of them fall under the electronic waste (e-waste) category.
White goods are large electrical products that are also known as domestic electrical appliances. Other examples of white goods are stoves, freezers, dishwashers, heaters, and washing machines. This terminology stemmed from the use of white enamel coating on these appliances back in the day. Even though they now come in a variety of colours, these items are still known as white goods.
We cannot deny that fridges, stoves, and the like are helpful in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, these items can pose a threat to the environment when they are not disposed of properly. It’s estimated that Australians have over 45 million household appliances. Every year, about 2.5 million of these appliances are thrown into landfills, so it is not surprising that white goods have taken over landfills all over the country.
These white goods are not the same as regular rubbish. They typically have longer lifespans, and you only get rid of them when they either break down or require replacement. When they are no longer useful to you, you probably throw them into the bin.
Why You Should Recycle White Goods
Did you know that you can help the environment when you recycle white goods instead? That’s because white goods have several parts that do not decompose. Those that decay will mix with soil and then go to the environment, affecting the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. They produce copious amounts of greenhouse gases, which are harmful to the health of humans and the planet as well.
Australia continues to improve and innovate to provide better products to the citizens. Many of these old machines end up requiring replacement, so they end up in landfills. However, white goods have special parts that can be recycled, including steel, copper, and other scrap metals. And that is one good reason why you should recycle white goods.
Help Decrease Landfill Use
Landfills are useful to us humans, but they are not exactly environmentally friendly. Homeowners play the biggest role in filling up these landfills, which means they are the key to reducing their sizes, as well. By recycling white goods, you can help the environment significantly.
Without question, landfills will increase as time passes due to the growing population. It will soon be difficult to handle the daily waste that we all produce. There will come a time when there will no longer be available space because homes and businesses do not stop generating rubbish. In many cases, it’s unavoidable, but there are also several instances when we can all take part in decreasing the frequency of white goods disposal in landfills in Australia.
The Financial Benefits in White Goods Recycling
Recycling is not just for the environment; it can also do a little bit of good for your pocket. Practical homeowners now see the benefit of recycling white goods because they can make money from it. The secret is in the scrap metal in the appliances. Fridges, air conditioners, and many others have steel, aluminium, and copper in them. They are gathered to be used later for creating new machines. You can turn those old appliances into money by selling them to a recycling centre, such as Collins Recycling.
Of course, you cannot expect to become rich by selling white goods that you will no longer use. White goods contain ferrous metals, which make them easy to detect because they react to magnets. However, unlike non-ferrous metals, they do not sell as much. Don’t worry, though; many machines that you have maybe heavy. The more parts that can be recycled, the higher the financial payoff will be.
It may take some work for you to gather and recycle your old fridges or washing machines. However, knowing that recycling will benefit the environment, plus the monetary incentive you can gain, recycling is undoubtedly well worth the effort.
The Easiest Way to Recycle White Goods
Are you still thinking about unloading your old appliance into the nearest landfill? It is time to change your waste disposal strategy. In many cases, you will be charged for dumping the heavy machine. Even if it does not cost you anything, you are contributing to the planet’s demise. Instead, recycle your white goods by sending them to Collins Recycling.
It’s easier when you have a local recycling centre you can trust. Our friendly staff will take white goods disposal out of your hands. Simply visit us or give us a call, and we will do our part to recover scrap metals from your appliances.
