A new northern suburbs-based recycling business has coined a new ailment.
Bright Sparks’ managing director Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald said “Cupboard Procrastination Syndrome” affects thousands of people who collect broken or unwanted appliances.
“They feel weird about throwing away a broken appliance, but they don’t know what they should do,” she said. “So they hide it in a cupboard until they can’t wait any longer and it goes in the rubbish bin. Unfortunately, most small appliances do fit in the rubbish bin and the problem is quickly out of sight, out of mind.”
Bright Sparks was set up three months ago to give households a chance to recycle those unwanted small electrical goods such as lamps, power tools and toasters so they don’t end up in landfill.
To coincide with National Recycling Week this week, the not-for-profit, social enterprise is setting-up temporary recycling bins at four locations in Whittlesea.
The donation bins – at the Whittlesea Works Depot in Epping, Galada Community Centre, Mill Park library and Whittlesea Civic Centre in South Morang – will accept small kitchen and household items that will then be reused, repaired or recycled.
Ms Lewis-Fitzgerald said about 40 per cent of donations they receive are in working order.
These appliances are then tested for function and safety and either sold back to the public or donated to people in need.
Residents can donate up to three items.
Larger quantities and bulky small appliances such as microwaves and vacuum cleaners will need to be taken to Bright Sparks HQ, 1 Walter Street, Hadfield.
