Wondering what to do with an old water tank? You’re not alone! While a comfort that would almost certainly be a fixture in every modern Australian home, most of us have little or no idea of how to get rid of an old storage tank when it comes time for a replacement.
At Ridly, we’re passionate recyclers with a mission to reform rubbish removal in Australia. We aim to find a recycling solution for every item that we collect without resorting to landfill – including old water heaters and related equipment! We’re here to explain and outline the best ways to get rid of old water tanks and broken water heaters, so that you can enjoy your new appliances, confident in your disposal methods.
What To Do with An Old Water Tank
Allowing for natural rain harvesting, water tanks have historically played an important role in water conservation in rural and regional Australia. Originally made from galvanised iron rolled into sheets and secured with rivets, old tanks typically last for years and years, as they’re hardy and repairable.
If your water tank is beyond the point of repair, the good news is that galvanised iron is 100% recyclable. The bad news is that water tanks are often large and can’t be easily transported. So, what options do you have? If you’re keen to repurpose your old water tank, Pinterest and YouTube are awash with DIY tutorials showing you how to repurpose your unwanted water tanks. Some of these repurposing options include:
4 Ideas for Repurposing an Old Water Tank:
1. Planter Boxes
A fantastic way to repurpose your old water tanks, planter boxes are typically expensive to buy and can easily be fashioned by cutting your old water tank lengthways. Simple wooden supports will keep them off the ground. Raised beds offer lots of benefits for gardening as they retain water more efficiently than ground beds and are well-drained. Vegetables, herbs, and flowers thrive when grown in raised planter boxes.
2. Metal Fire Pit
Made of durable galvanised iron, a fire pit that’s been made out of an old water tank will last extensively and add atmosphere to any backyard gathering.
3. Cubbyhouse
If you have the patience, your children will love the idea of re-purposing your old water tank into a cubbyhouse. After removing all sharp edges and rust that’s accumulated over the years, you’ll need to cut the tank off its old base and re-locate it somewhere more child friendly. The rest is relatively straightforward. All you need to do is cut out holes to create a doorway and windows and decorate as you choose.
4. Above Ground Pool
Feeling even more adventurous? Another project the kids will love, repurposing a water tank into an outdoor pool is the ultimate upcycle project for any DIY enthusiast or handyman! Metal paint technology improves all the time, and now you can prime, paint, and seal your old tank in one step for just a fraction of the price of a traditional home pool. The same principles can be used to create a stand-alone water garden or pond area in your backyard.
If you don’t have the time or space to repurpose your old water tank, recycling is still a great option! Size restrictions mean that by far the easiest solution is to call in the household rubbish removal experts at Ridly, who will collect and recycle your old water tank for you. Not only is this the most convenient option, but it’s also the option that is the best for the environment.
Our calling at Ridly is to do everything in our power to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Australian’s produce over 540kgs of garbage per person, per year, and according to WWF, only 9.4% of that waste is recycled. Going above and beyond, at Ridly, we will recycle everything if it’s humanly possible. So, now we know that old water tanks are easily reused or recycled; what about old water heaters?
How to Dispose of Old Water Heaters
If you suspect you need a water heater and you’re thinking about how to dispose of the one you’ve got, the first step is to investigate if repair is an option for you. Water heaters are high-use items that typically last from 8 to 12 years depending on your level of water usage, how hard the water is in your local area, and whether you have an electric or gas heater.
Extending the lifecycle of the heater you already have is the best way to reduce the amount of waste you produce as an individual. It’s possible your current heater has simply sprung a leak or has a build-up of sediment that can easily be rectified by calling in a plumber. However, if your hot water tank is definitely out of action permanently, and you’re investigating hot water heater removal costs, there are a few options open to you, including:
1. Get Your Plumber to Take Away Your Old Water Heater
The most obvious choice is to check with the plumber installing your new water heater if they’re able to take the old one away. Most companies will have a provision to take away your old equipment. However, they may charge for this additional service. There are government regulations in place to make it illegal for trade organisations to dump old water heaters, but you can’t fully know if they’re complying or if they’re taking it to a recycling facility that will dispose of it ethically.
2. Dropping Off at A Recycling Depot or Booking a Local Council Pick-Up
Another option open to you is disposing of your old water heater at a local recycling centre or a drop-off event organised by your local council. Some councils also offer free pick-ups for bulky items like water heaters. Be mindful that you’re only eligible for a pick-up if you live in a freestanding dwelling – residents of apartment blocks usually have to organise pick-ups through their building manager.
3. Donating Your Old Water Heater
Sometimes fully functional hot water systems need to be replaced because of a growing family or because a household is switching over to a more efficient gas system. In this case, you can either donate your old hot water tank to a charity, family member, or you can sell it on eBay, Gumtree, or Facebook Marketplace to make sure it stays out of landfill.
4. Choosing A Professional Rubbish Removal Service
The only way to truly know where your old water heater is going is to choose a rubbish removal service that is committed to recycling and reusing at all costs. Even if the item we collect from you cannot be processed traditionally, the team at Ridly will find a way to reuse your old water heater via one of our services that go beyond waste disposal.
Ridly operate additional campaigns to support our main rubbish removal service, which gives us extra opportunities to recycle items we pick up. For instance, our flea market campaign helps find new homes for unwanted clothes and household items in good condition. We also support numerous community sustainability projects in our local area.
Sustainable Rubbish Removal with Ridly
At Ridly, we’re on a quest to dispel the myth that living sustainably will cost more. We offer affordable and reliable rubbish removal starting at just $69, which is in line with the competing rubbish removal services in Sydney.
Caring for the environment shouldn’t be out of reach for the average Sydney-sider, so we’ve ensured that you get value for money with our service. We will remove your water heater, old furniture, or just general rubbish, and take the added step of sorting and disposing of it responsibly for you all for the same low rate.
The importance of recycling cannot be overstated because the more we recycle as a society, the less of our waste will be directed towards landfill. Our team are equipped to collect any of your household rubbish and offer convenient same-day rubbish removal for minimal disruption to your day.
Give us a call on 0491 181 130 if you’re wondering what to do with an old water tank or water heater, and we’ll gladly give you a quote over the phone. Quick, convenient, and efficient, we’ll do the job and be on our way in no time.