The Guide to Green Waste – Plus Infographic

If you’re a homeowner in Brisbane, you’ll know disposing of green waste is part of property maintenance. From fallen leaves, pruning or grass clippings in your garden, we need to dispose of this kind of rubbish correctly. Green waste can quickly pile up and become a problem. But the good news is, Brisbane makes it easy to dispose of it.

In this short guide, we’ll cover what green waste is, how to get rid of it properly and where you can dump your green waste in Brisbane.

What Is Green Waste?

Green waste is organic matter which is created from plants and yard items, such as leaves, flowers, bushes, and lawn cuttings. It is produced through gardening, landscaping and other garden maintaining activities. Examples of green waste are leaves that have been shed, clipped hedges, weeds, branches, grass and even fruit and vegetable scraps. It doesn’t contain any materials like plastic or metal non-organic items. By managing the collection, recycling and disposal of green waste it helps us sustain our environment in a clean and healthy condition.

How To Dispose Of Green Organic Waste?

First things first: don’t just chuck it in your regular rubbish bin. That’s a big no-no. Instead, look into getting a dedicated green waste bin for your home. Many local councils in Brisbane offer these bins as part of their kerbside collection service. Check with yours to see if they have this option available.

Composting is an effective way of getting rid of green waste too. It helps form nutrient-rich soil for gardens as a bonus. To set up yourself at home, get a composter or create an area in your yard, then mix green with brown organic materials. Things like dried leaves or small branches are perfect. Turning the pile regularly helps this process along. If you have too much green waste to manage on your own, you can contact a professional rubbish removal service to come pick it up and responsibly dispose of it.

Where Can I Dump My Green Waste?

There are a few recycling centres in Brisbane that accept green waste. The most popular is the Urban Recycling Program which accepts materials from home gardeners e.g. tree branches, leaves and cuttings but not turf or soil. You’ll also find similar dumps at Ipswich City Council, Wollongong City Council, Redland City Council and Logan City Council locations.

Top Tips For Good Garden Waste Disposal

Clean up quickly

Whenever you’re done gardening clean up all your green waste straight away to avoid a buildup on your property.

Cut branches

Don’t put anything thicker than 12 mm in your mulcher. Consider reducing bigger branches into smaller pieces before adding them.

Separate materials

Different types of materials should be separated properly into compostables and recyclables.

Use the right bags

Choose bags that power mowers & shredder-vacs can fit into before disposing them off.

Mulch it

Try turning food scraps and garden clippings into mulch – it will help build fertility in gardens long-term.

Share Bins

Think about splitting a bins with someone nearby if you don’t generate enough by yourself. This is a budget-friendly and ecologically sound solution!

Compost vs dump

Starting a compost heap in your backyard is a great idea. You can also recycle through composting or dumping them at recycling centres. Don’t just leave them on curbside nature strips which create health risks and attracts pests. Then you might have another problem on your hands, like need a pest controller to get rid of them.

Following these tips will help keep your garden healthy by properly disposing of your rubbish. So there’s no need for worries or nasty surprises when it comes to getting rid of organic matter from your garden. Happy gardening folks!

FAQ

How do I dispose of garden waste?

The best way to dispose of your garden waste is by recycling the materials or dumping them at a recycling centre. You can also use mulch to provide nutrients when applied into gardens.

What can go in your green bin?

Your green bin should be used primarily for food and garden waste such as lawn clippings, fallen leaves, branches, weeds and other organic material. Note that food waste, treated timber and dirt should be separated from the green lid bins. Make sure there are no contaminants mixed into the compostable matter, such as metal, plastic or contaminated soil.

What are more examples of green organic waste?

Other examples may include plant trimming prunings and root balls from trees & shrubs that have recently been removed from the ground, grass & turf and untoped weeds.

What should I do with my garden waste?

The most environmentally friendly and convenient option is to use your council’s garden waste recycling service if available. This involves putting plant trimmings, leaves, grass clippings etc in your designated green waste bin which they will collect weekly. Alternatively you can compost at home or hire a skip bin for larger amounts.

Can I include my old plant pots in my garden waste bin?

If they are plain plastic or terracotta, you can recycle old plant pots in your garden waste bin. Make sure to remove any plant or soil remains first. Check with your local council what their specific rules are regarding plant pots and other items.

What are the main greenhouse gases and why is carbon dioxide a major concern?

The primary greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels have increased substantially due to human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This traps more heat, causing global warming.

How do plants help balance CO2 levels and can we reduce emissions?

Plants absorb atmospheric CO2 during photosynthesis, which helps balance levels. We can reduce emissions by transitioning to renewables, improving energy efficiency, reforestation and changing agricultural practices. This will stabilize CO2 levels over time.

Conclusion

It’s important to properly dispose of green waste as it can be harmful to the environment and living beings. Luckily, the city of Brisbane has many services available to help you with disposal. From mulching materials, using a composter and separating recyclables and organics. There’s a lot of resources at your fingertips to help keep our environment clean and healthy. By following these tips and researching the best methods for collection, disposing or recycling green waste in your local area, you can properly take care of nature for future generations.

Further Reading:

National Waste Policy > https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/publications/national-waste-policy-2018

How Much Food Do We Waste? https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-08/food-waste-value-australia/4993930?nw=0