Builder’s Waste Services Directory

Classified as a hazardous waste due to their chemical composition and risk of fire ignition. Highly toxic in landfills due to corrosion and leakage into groundwater. However the resources contained in power tool / electrical appliance-type batteries are valuable, and recovered through an accredited Australian Product Stewardship Scheme called B-Cycle, funded by battery manufacturers. It is free to deposit used batteries via the B-Cycle program.

Recycle: YES.
Locations: Many council Waste Transfer Stations and council offices; Bunnings, Coles, Woolworths, Officeworks. For a full list of Tasmanian recycling locations and the correct way to drop off used batteries so they do not create a hazard in the collection units, visit www.bcycle.com.au. Rechargeable batteries can also be recycled via the B-Cycle program if damaged or are too old and can no longer recharge.

Reuse: YES. Rechargeable batteries offer better value for money and can also be recycled at any outlet that runs the B-Cycle program.

Compost/Mulch: NO. Very toxic to plants.

Bricks are heavy and add cost to transport and waste disposal fees. However bricks can be reused in other construction/landscaping projects, either at the build site (check with owners) or by donating to a Tip Shop / Resale Shop. Bricks that are less than 1/3 can be crushed to make brick chips for landscaping, road base, landfill cover, track/drainage material or even fill sand. Crushing facilities exist at some landfills. There are also a number of mobile crushing rigs available for hire, search www.iseekplant.com.au.

Recycle: YES.
Locations: Launceston Waste & Recycling Centre (Launceston). ReProcess Tas (Risdon Vale), AW Constructions (Brighton). Mornington Park Waste Transfer Station.

Reuse: YES.
In other construction or landscaping projects, either clean and intact, or chipped or crushed. Local community groups/schools/gardeners also use – advertise on Gumtree/Facebook. May also be of use to some Men’s Sheds – check attached list of 60 shed locations.

Compost/Mulch: No.

Blanket batts or rolls of insulation can be made from either fiberglass/glass wool (e.g. Pink Batts™), mineral wool (e.g. Rockwool® made from basalt, plastic (e.g. Earthwool®) or natural fibres such as sheep’s wool (e.g. Havelock®) or cellulose (e.g. Charlie Fluff®). It is lightweight and must be secured onsite or it will blow away and can travel significant distances. Batts, all types, can cause significant animal illness or drainage/water-way blockages. However insulation batt or roll off-cuts are popular with DIY groups and may be accepted by Reuse Shops or offered for sale or giveaway online.

Recycle: Sometimes, depends on volume and type. Check with Resource Recovery Shops/Recycling centres / Tip shops who may stock it for resale.

Reuse: YES. Often in demand with DIYers. Local community groups/ schools/ gardeners also use – advertise on Gumtree/Facebook.

Compost/Mulch: NO. Even the organic varieties of building batts have had some level of treatment and are not suitable for composting.

Aluminium, brass, copper, lead, zinc and tin. Most common on building sites as Zincalume ® sheet roofing, gutters, liquid pipes, power cables. Off-cuts of nonferrous metal is popular with all scrap metal recyclers, who will pay by weight. Collections can sometimes be arranged depending on location and volume. It can also be donated to Recovery Shops at landfills and waste transfer stations as it is popular for DIY.

Recycle: YES.
Locations: Waste Transfer Stations and Landfills with recovery/recycling centres. Scrap metal recycling businesses.

Reuse: YES. Resource recovery shops will accept usable lengths for DIY builders/renovators.

Compost/Mulch: NO.

Plasterboard that has been painted cannot be composted as the paint is a contaminant, however some landfills will mulch it for landfill cover.

Recycle: LIMITED.
ReProcess Tas (Risdon Vale) will accept.

Reuse: YES, if off-cuts are large enough and in good condition, some resource recovery shops will accept to sell to DIY builders/renovators.

Compost/Mulch: NO. Not at composting facilities. Check if local landfill will mulch.

Extremely common for packaging and protecting all types of building material during delivery (e.g. pallet wrapping). Despite being so lightweight, the volume and consistency of incoming soft plastic throughout the build makes it a very problematic waste stream. Currently not recyclable in large quantities.

Recycle: LIMITED.
Locations: Wizz Away (Moonah), Mornington Park WTS (Mornington). In very small quantities, if clean and cut up into A3 sized pieces, into REDcycle drop-off bins at the entrances of supermarkets.

Reuse: YES. Some items may come in plastic bags that are thick enough to be used again as bags. Pallet wrap can be used to re-wrap and protect onsite materials if tied securely.

Compost/Mulch: NO.

The most common types of roof tiles in Australia are terracotta/clay, concrete or asphalt, but roof tiles can also be made from wood, metal, slate, fibre cement or recycled rubber. All types of tiles, if in good condition, can be sold or donated on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.
Asphalt shingles can be recycled into hot mix asphalt to create pavement – the roof of one average sized home can pave about 60m of pavement.

Recycle: YES for clay/concrete/slate or fibre cement, can be crushed into builders rubble for landscaping, road base, landfill cover, track or drainage material.

Reuse: YES, if in bigger volumes, and in good condition, some resource recovery shops will accept for DIY builders/renovators.

Compost/Mulch: NO.

Untreated timber on a build site comes from pallets and some construction wood. Pallets are designed for multiple use and have standard parts for easy repair. Pallets and untreated wood off cuts can be repurposed by the public by donating to a Recovery Shop or wood salvage yard. Can be reused or repurposed in other construction projects or chipped as green waste and converted into mulch or animal bedding.

Recycle: YES. Recycle as green waste or fire fuel. ReProcess Tas (Risdon Vale) also accepts.

Reuse: YES. Save for other projects/onsite repairs and around work sites. Easily repurposed by DIY enthusiasts. Resource recovery shops and some timber/wood salvage yards will accept donations. May also be of use to some Men’s Sheds.

Compost/Mulch: YES. Note it is very important that no treated timber is mixed with the untreated timber. Chemicals in treated timber can contaminate large volumes of organic compost.