The Impact of Contamination in Recycling Bins: How to Avoid It

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Learn about the impact of contamination in recycling bins and how to avoid it. Discover tips for proper recycling practices, community education, and implementing effective recycling programs.

Introduction

Recycling is a fundamental practice for sustainable waste management, playing a crucial role in conserving natural resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing landfill use. However, its effectiveness can be severely compromised by contamination. Contamination occurs when non-recyclable items or improperly prepared recyclables are placed in recycling bins. This not only disrupts the recycling process but also increases costs and can lead to entire batches of recyclables being sent to landfills. Understanding the impact of contamination and learning how to avoid it are essential steps towards improving the efficiency and sustainability of recycling programs. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the impact of contamination in recycling bins and provide actionable tips to avoid it, ensuring your recycling efforts are both effective and efficient.

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Understanding Recycling Contamination

Recycling contamination refers to the presence of non-recyclable materials or improperly prepared recyclables in recycling bins. Non-recyclable items include materials like plastic bags, food waste, and certain types of plastics that are not accepted by curbside recycling programs. Improperly prepared recyclables, such as food-contaminated containers or items made from mixed materials, also contribute to contamination. Recognizing these types of contaminants is the first step towards minimizing their impact.

Types of Contamination:

Non-Recyclable Items: These are items that cannot be processed by recycling facilities, such as plastic bags, greasy pizza boxes, and certain types of plastics. These items can cause significant problems in the recycling stream.

Improperly Prepared Recyclables: Even items that are technically recyclable can become contaminants if they are not cleaned or sorted properly. For example, a plastic bottle with residual liquid or a paper product contaminated with food can spoil an entire batch of recyclables.

The Impact of Recycling Contamination

The consequences of recycling contamination are far-reaching, affecting the entire recycling process and the environment. When contamination occurs, it increases the cost of recycling by requiring additional sorting and cleaning, which uses more time and resources. This inefficiency can reduce the quality of recycled materials, making them less valuable and harder to process. Moreover, contaminated recyclables often end up in landfills, contributing to environmental pollution and wasting resources that could have been reused. Understanding these impacts highlights the importance of reducing contamination in recycling bins.

Increased Processing Costs: When contaminated materials enter the recycling stream, recycling facilities must spend more time and resources to sort and clean the recyclables. This additional processing not only increases operational costs but also slows down the entire recycling process. These costs are often passed on to municipalities and taxpayers, making recycling programs more expensive to run.

Reduced Recycling Efficiency: Contaminated recyclables can damage recycling machinery, leading to costly repairs and downtime. Moreover, contamination can degrade the quality of the recycled materials, making them less suitable for manufacturing new products. This reduction in quality means that fewer materials are successfully recycled, diminishing the overall effectiveness of recycling programs.

Environmental Harm: When contamination levels are too high, entire batches of recyclables can be deemed unusable and sent to landfills. This not only wastes valuable resources but also contributes to environmental pollution. Landfills produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and can leach harmful chemicals into the soil and water. By reducing contamination, we can minimize these negative environmental impacts.

Common Contaminants and Their Effects

Identifying common contaminants helps prevent their inclusion in recycling bins. Plastic bags and film, for example, can clog recycling machinery and are generally not recyclable through curbside programs. Food residue is another significant contaminant; items contaminated with food can spoil entire batches of recyclables, making them unsuitable for recycling. Mixed-material products, such as chip bags or juice cartons, are difficult to recycle because they contain multiple types of materials that cannot be easily separated. Being aware of these common contaminants is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the recycling process.

Plastic Bags and Film: These items are among the most problematic contaminants in recycling streams. They can get tangled in the machinery used to sort recyclables, causing delays and requiring costly repairs. Instead of placing plastic bags in recycling bins, take them to designated drop-off locations, such as grocery stores that offer plastic bag recycling programs.

Food Residue: Food-contaminated recyclables can attract pests and cause unpleasant odors, but more importantly, they can spoil entire batches of recyclables. For example, a single greasy pizza box can contaminate a whole load of paper recycling, rendering it unusable. Always rinse containers and remove food residue before recycling them.

Mixed-Material Products: Items made from multiple materials, such as chip bags, juice cartons, and some types of packaging, are challenging to recycle because the different materials must be separated. Unfortunately, many recycling facilities do not have the capability to process these mixed-material items, so they often end up as contaminants. Check local recycling guidelines to understand which materials are accepted.

Tips to Avoid Recycling Contamination

Implementing best practices can significantly reduce contamination and improve recycling outcomes. Start by familiarizing yourself with local recycling guidelines to understand what can and cannot be recycled. Ensure that all recyclables are clean and dry before placing them in the bin. Rinsing containers to remove food residue and allowing them to dry completely prevents contamination. Proper sorting is also essential; separate recyclables according to local guidelines and avoid mixing different types of materials. Additionally, never place recyclables in plastic bags; use designated recycling bins or containers instead. These practices help maintain the purity of the recycling stream and enhance the efficiency of the recycling process.

Know What's Recyclable: Different communities have different recycling programs, so it's essential to understand your local guidelines. Check with your local waste management authority to find out which materials are accepted in your area and how they should be prepared. Knowing what's recyclable helps prevent the inclusion of non-recyclable items in your recycling bin.

Clean and Dry: Clean and dry recyclables are less likely to contaminate the recycling stream. Rinse containers to remove any food or liquid residue, and allow them to dry before placing them in the bin. This simple step can significantly reduce contamination and ensure that recyclables are processed efficiently.

Sort Correctly: Proper sorting is critical for reducing contamination. Separate recyclables according to the guidelines provided by your local recycling program. For example, paper and cardboard should be kept separate from plastics and metals. Mixing different types of materials can cause contamination and make recycling less efficient.

Avoid Plastic Bags: Plastic bags are a common contaminant in recycling streams. They can clog sorting machinery and are generally not accepted in curbside recycling programs. Instead, take plastic bags to designated drop-off locations, such as grocery stores that offer plastic bag recycling programs.

Educating the Community

Education plays a crucial role in reducing contamination and promoting proper recycling practices. Community workshops can be organized to educate residents about the impact of contamination and how to avoid it. Distributing informative materials such as flyers, posters, and brochures outlining recycling guidelines and tips for contamination prevention can raise awareness. Integrating recycling education into school curricula teaches students about sustainable waste management from a young age, fostering lifelong recycling habits. By spreading knowledge and awareness, communities can collectively improve their recycling efforts and reduce contamination.

Community Workshops: Organizing workshops and seminars for residents can be an effective way to educate the community about proper recycling practices. These events can provide valuable information about what can and cannot be recycled, how to prepare recyclables correctly, and the impact of contamination on recycling programs.

Informative Materials: Distributing flyers, posters, and brochures that outline recycling guidelines and tips for contamination prevention can help raise awareness. These materials should be clear, concise, and visually appealing to ensure they capture people's attention and are easy to understand.

School Programs: Integrating recycling education into school curricula teaches students about sustainable waste management from a young age. Schools can incorporate lessons on the importance of recycling, how to sort recyclables, and the impact of contamination on the environment. Engaging students in recycling activities can also reinforce these concepts and encourage them to practice proper recycling habits at home.

Implementing Effective Recycling Programs

Schools, businesses, and communities can adopt structured programs to enhance recycling efforts and minimize contamination. Clear signage on recycling bins is essential for guiding proper disposal and preventing confusion. Regular audits of recycling bins help identify contamination issues and address them promptly. Providing feedback to the community or employees about their recycling practices and areas for improvement encourages adherence to proper recycling protocols. These strategies create a more organized and efficient recycling system, ensuring that recyclable materials are properly processed and reused.

Clear Signage: Using clear and informative signage on recycling bins helps guide proper disposal and prevents confusion. Signs should indicate which materials are accepted in each bin and provide instructions for preparing recyclables correctly. Effective signage can significantly reduce contamination by helping people make informed choices about what to recycle.

Regular Audits: Conducting regular audits of recycling bins can help identify contamination issues and address them promptly. Audits involve inspecting recycling bins to check for non-recyclable items and improperly prepared recyclables. Providing feedback to residents or employees about their recycling practices can help reinforce proper behaviors and reduce contamination over time.

Feedback Mechanisms: Providing feedback to the community or employees about their recycling practices and areas for improvement encourages adherence to proper recycling protocols. This can include sharing audit results, highlighting common contaminants, and offering tips for better recycling practices. Positive reinforcement, such as recognizing individuals or groups that excel in recycling, can also motivate others to follow suit.

Conclusion

Contamination in recycling bins poses significant challenges to effective waste management. By understanding the impact of contamination and adopting best practices for recycling, we can enhance the efficiency of recycling programs and contribute to environmental sustainability. At Rubbish Removal & Co. we are dedicated to helping you manage your waste responsibly. Contact us for expert waste collection and disposal services tailored to your needs, and let's work together to make recycling more effective.


Gallery - Recent WORK

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Waste from a home clean-out
Household items that will be recycled if possible, or taken to landfill by our team.
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A small household waste collection
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Packed donation boxes
Want to donate your clothes or other items? We collect and encourage donation boxes as one of our main priorities is being environmentally friendly.
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Unwanted furniture disposal
We can collect old or unwanted furniture such as couches and dispose of them properly.
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Green Waste collection
Green waste before it is collected from the front yard of a home.
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Green waste disposal
One of our trucks collecting green waste.
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Wood before collection
We make sure to recycle anything we can, as being environmentally friendly is one of our main priorities.
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Junk collection trucks
One of our trucks collecting construction and household junk.
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Construction site rubbish disposal
Wood, construction mixed waste, metal and concrete are all being collected and in the end, the construction site is left clean.
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A garage clean out
Waste in a garage before it is collected and disposed of.
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Household junk awaiting collection
Household junk such as cardboard boxes, clothes, appliances and much more waiting for collection in the afternoon.
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Construction site waste collection
Construction site waste waiting to be disposed of.
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Waste collection truck
One of our trucks leaving a home after collecting all of their household waste.
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Garage junk awaiting disposal
A garage full of domestic rubbish and hard rubbish right before collection.
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Tiles before collection
We can collect tiles from renovations or constructions and dispose of them properly.
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A packed truck
We also offer opportunities to donate your items, and we pack it so it does not get damaged during the drive.
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Construction site junk before collection
We collect junk any time from 7am-7pm, for this client, they requested an early morning construction site rubbish pick-up.
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Before a garage clean up
Household junk in a garage before collection and a garage clean up.
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Stack of household items
A stack of chairs and other household items ready for collection.
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Post green waste collection
The cleanliness that is left after a green waste collection and a backyard clean up.
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Rubbish collection trucks
One of our trucks collecting construction and household rubbish.
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Hard waste before it is collected
The perfect way to organise your hard waste so that the process of collection is as smooth as can be.
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Wood awaiting collection
If you need to dispose of wood, timber or any other materials, give us a call today!
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Green waste pick up
Green waste in a clients home before collection.

Reviews from OUR CLIENTS

The team was amazing!
They worked quickly and left my place spotless. Very happy with the service end of the day rubbish furniture is out!
Rob Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Construction rubbish removal
Great guys for construction rubbish removal, they took care of everything from the rocks, soil and gravel to the bathroom tiles. Great company, will be using your services in the future!
Dhan Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Rubbish gone
I’m extremely satisfied with their service. They were quick, thorough, and very professional. Will use again!
Steve Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Lovely people and experienced removalists
Lovely people working on the phones, and very experienced removalists. Very happy I chose to go with Rubbish Removal & Co.
Anna Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Highly recommend!
Would highly recommend, will definitely be using your services in the future.
Dianna Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Very good service and great price.
Very good service and great price.
Thanks for your help we will use again.
Hanan Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Cheap service
Compared to other quotes I got, they were cheap and very good at making sure everything was gone!
Jasper Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Smooth and efficient service
They made my backyard cleanout so simple and stress-free. The team was polite and worked quickly to get everything done.
Chris Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Best green waste removals
Best green waste removals. I've tried a few different removalists, but Rubbish Removal & Co. have been on-time every single time, are very professional.
Kerry Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Thanks guys!
I needed all the carpets in my home to be thrown own properly, these guys came on-time and took it all efficiently and left no mess. Also very reasonably priced, so thanks guys!
Jade Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Great customer experience
The team was polite, professional, and left everything spotless. They handled all my household junk without any issues. Highly recommended!
Gary Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Good service!
The guys came and did the job in no time! They took all our roofing materials, tiles, flooring, bricks, wood and more.
Tom Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Professional green waste removal
They did a fantastic job clearing my green waste. The team was efficient, tidy, and eco-conscious. Great experience!
Tristan Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Great team!
The guys were very professional, knew what they were doing and were very friendly. Great team!
Kira Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Great work!
My guys needed some residential demolition waste to be removed, and these guys did it very quickly and efficiently.
Cooper Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Took all our dangerous goods
Thanks guys for removing all our dangerous goods such as varnish, sealers, paint and pool chemicals! Great job guys!
Sam Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Great building site waste removal
Took everything from the site! And did so in record-time, will definitely be recommending you to friends!
Oscar Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Positive Experience
I was really impressed with their service! They were punctual, professional, and handled everything from old appliances to general junk with ease. Highly recommend them for anyone needing hassle-free rubbish removal.
Peter Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Big Thanks!
We just moved and had a bunch of cleaning products that had to be disposed of. They did it in no time, thanks!
Andrea Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Smooth Office Cleanout
They cleared my office quickly and carefully, handling furniture and old files with care. The team was professional and made the process stress-free.
Jayson Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Very understanding
The team at Junk and Rubbish Removal were very understanding over the phone with all the times I've had to reschedule and provided great service.
Amy Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Green waste removal
did some landscaping call the boys at rubbish removal & co they picked up all green rubbish and left over soil the same day. i will keep your number for our next project.
Ronnie Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
fantastic
Your service is fantastic, thank you very much I will let friends know about your services.
Julie Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Such good service!
Called them this morning and the came on the same day, such good service!
Mary Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Very good job
They did it very quickly and had no issues with them, would recommend!
Roni Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Thanks a heap!
Thanks a heap for being so punctual and taking all our on-site rubbish, including plaster, concrete, bricks, tiles and wood.
Will definitely be using your services again!
Brian Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
thanks guys
Very happy with the results from my residential junk and rubbish removal. The guys who came were very friendly and understanding of all my needs, thanks guys!
Ellie Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Top-notch
Top-notch service! Very glad I found you guys!
Callum Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Eco-friendly and thorough
They handled my green waste with care and ensured the area was spotless. Their eco-friendly approach was a bonus, and I’ll definitely use them again
Lauren Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Thank you
Having a junk and rubbish removal company that works from 7am-7pm every day and is affordable is all that I've been looking for. Thank you Rubbish Removal & Co. for providing these amazing services!
Louis Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Very quick!
Rubbish Removal & Co. did an amazing job, they were in and out and didn't leave any mess. Fantastic job guys!
Martin Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Will definitely be recommending!
Great work guys! Will definitely be recommending to others!
Felix Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Same day!
They came on the SAME DAY, very happy with Rubbish Removal & Co.
Sarah Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Professional and Reliable
The team was professional, efficient, and friendly. They handled all my household junk removal quickly and left the space spotless. I’d definitely recommend their service!
Alex Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Furniture removal
Called them to have my old furniture removed, they did the job quickly and very efficiently, thanks guys!
Zoe Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5
Grateful to have found you guys!
Very grateful to have found you guys! Definitely giving you another call very soon!
Harry Review star 1Review star 2Review star 3Review star 4Review star 5

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Hi there, I need bins for my small cafee restaurant in sunshine north. I have call Taufriff couple of time but couldnt reach him. please call me back. Thank you.
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Tenant move out I need rubbish remove and clean
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I have about X0 x X9mm x XXXXmm pieces of old timber deck to go. X cubic meter? Has nails in it, do i need ro remove nails?
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Rubbish removal quote please
Kitchen itema, rubbish bags, pet cage, small drawers, broken down desk, pillows, doonah
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I have a combination of garden waste, general waste and some recycling. That I’d like removed please
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Just wondering if you would pick queen bed and base.
How much..
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I have an oak hall table, and a three piece white crystal cabinet AND a collection of household chemicals, do you collect all these items
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I am looking for a quote for a once off rubbish removal from a domestic house.
Elderly couple needing to clean up their back yard from old acquired various items.
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Pls also email invoice to: shimaflX9@gmail.com
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Have about X small boxes of building rubble, some old carpet, an upright stove and some pipes. Can send a photo to a mobile number, if you let me know. Cheers Romy
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Hi - I need help getting rid of some rubbish. Preferably tomorrow afternoon.
Chose you as close by - please give me a call.
10/07/2025 10:36 AM
Arie from Fairfield enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

Hi,
We will be opening our Student Accom facility in mid-September this year and require waste and co-mingled collection for initially X0 residents growing to X30 in early XXXX.
Thanks.
05/06/2024 12:47 PM
Ole from Seabrook enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

Hey, there is like X-X0 plastic bags worth of rubbish, just moving house and no room left in the residential bins
Was hoping for a quote
14/04/2024 3:31 PM
James from Balwyn enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

Hi, I have X large landscaping rocks to be removed.
Can you help me do this? Thanks
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Adam from Coatesville enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

Hi,
I have a hot water system that still works that needs to be taken away. Happy for it to be taken for free.
Adam
02/05/2024 1:39 PM
Ben from Darling enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

Hi. Do you take household waste? Eg nappies, cat litter food waste etc.
Thanks
Took an hard rubbish service.
22/03/2024 11:00 AM
Micaela from Strathmore Heights enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

Just want to enquire about a hard rubbish collection for a moving house clean out
Thanks
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Pal from Coatesville enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

Hi there
We are looking for site cleaning and rubbish removal at X9 Nerissa street, Glen Iris.
Could you please check the site and send us the quote. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Pal Gade -...
09/07/2024 11:46 AM
Phil from Braeside enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

We have rolled up carpet & underlay from X rooms, a collapsed wall unit & an old chipboard billard table that we need to dispose of.. Is this materials that you accept & what would be the approx cost
26/09/2024 2:27 PM
Margaret from St Kilda East enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

Hi Lisa,
Thankyou for your help today.
We will be in attendence at the unit between X1am until Xpm. We can assist in loading the truck if need be.
Regards
Margaret
28/05/2024 9:35 AM
Diana from Chelsea Heights enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

X garden arches...pots.etc...probably trailer size load.
14/06/2024 9:32 AM
Cazi from Donvale enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

Due to injury I have been unable to clean up after a recent back yard revamp. I have some general rubbish hard waste items to clear as well as some garden waste. Could you assist? What is your rate?
12/04/2024 10:44 AM
Katrina from Watsonia enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

Hello, we would to get X5 wood pallets to removed (get rid of). May I have a quotation for this job done? Thank you so much.
24/03/2024 3:15 PM
Eva from Seddon enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

I am looking for a quote for a once off rubbish removal from a domestic house.
Elderly couple needing to clean up their back yard from old acquired various items.
Cheers,
Eva
24/03/2024 1:24 PM
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I’m looking for a job
15/03/2024 3:18 PM
Jannik from Southbank enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

General waste and some demo waste;
-corrugated iron
-mesh
-timber
-shed cloth
-foam and cardboard
22/03/2024 3:08 PM
Dito from Braeside enquired about Rubbish Removal & Co. services.

looking to get my stuff thrown out due to having too much stuff in the storage room! want to know how much the fee is to do so! thanks!

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