The new Community Recycling Centre at the Parkes Waste Facility was opened by Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith (middle). On his right is manager of the waste facility Noel Smede with Parkes Shire Councillors and Parkes Shire staff members.
Disposing of problem waste will be much easier in Parkes with the opening of the first Community Recycling Centre at the Parkes Waste Facility.
The centre, established with the support of a $150,000 grant from the Environmental Trust, can be used free of charge where residents can drop off paints, oils, gas bottles, fluoro lights, smoke detectors, batteries and other items.
The Parkes Recycling Centre joins a network of 97 other facilities across NSW that have to date collected more than 17 thousand tonnes of problem waste.
“We know this centre will play an important role in reducing pollution and protecting the beautiful environment of Parkes and its surrounds,” said NSW EPA’s Director Circular Economy Programs, Kathy Giunta.
“Most of the items accepted at community recycling centres can be reused or recycled, helping to save water, energy and other resources.
“Lead acid batteries, for example, are sent to recyclers where the lead, acid and plastic are recovered and recycled. Gas bottles are put back into circulation and used oils can be processed to become lubricants.
Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith OAM said the new facility offered a permanent, free drop-off solution that will make problem waste disposal a lot easier for all Parkes Shire residents.
The Parkes Community Recycling Centre at Parkes Waste Facility at 104 Brolgan Rd is for residential customers only, and is open 8:30am – 4:30pm Tuesday to Friday, and 10am – 4:30pm Saturday and Sunday, with last entry at 4:15pm on all days.
The Centre accepts household quantities (20kg or 20L) of the following problem wastes for free: water-based and oil-based paints; used motor oils and other oils; lead-acid and hand-held batteries; gas cylinders and fire extinguishers; conventional tube and compact fluorescent lamps; smoke detectors and aerosols.
For more information visit: http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/wastegrants/index.htm