Ask Phoebe: Yellow markings to stop queuing

A driver should not enter any intersection unless the exit is clear. Photo / Lynda Feringa

Cross-hatching in place at intersections where it would be dangerous for vehicles to line up.

What does the yellow cross-hatching signify at the intersection of Mt Eden, Oaklands and Stokes Rds? In addition to traffic lights, what are the rules intended by the yellow markings? Lesley Shaw, Hillsborough.

In New Zealand, a driver should not enter any intersection unless the exit is clear. It follows that queuing across an intersection is bad practice.

The yellow cross-hatching is in place in intersections and parts of roads where it would be dangerous for vehicles to queue, such as near emergency vehicle exits.

There is a great place for disposing of old IT equipment in Penrose: Computer Recycling at 3 Southdown Lane. They take printers, monitors - everything to do with IT. But old TVs and stereo equipment are another problem as these people do not take non-IT items. I would imagine there will be a huge amount over the next year in Auckland as analogue TV disappears. Where can one easily get rid of these items? Putting them out for the inorganic collection is not really a satisfactory solution for various reasons. Paul Greening, Auckland.

Auckland Council's booklet on waste and recycling is a most useful publication. It suggests that as Auckland changes to digital TV on December 1, you should look out for TV recycling schemes closer to the time. The website to check is tvtakeback.govt.nz. But the booklet also says that e-waste is anything with a battery or a plug, and this obviously includes old television sets and stereos. The booklet suggests taking such items to a reputable e-waste recycler. Contact e-Cycle at www.e-cycle.co.nz or free phone 0800-726-368, or find out if there is a take-back scheme on the manufacturer's website.

A range of electronic materials can be dropped off for reuse or safe recycling at the Auckland locations below. Charges and limitations may apply. You should phone the place beforehand and check before taking e-waste.

South and east - Manukau Beautiful, 38 Holmes Rd, Manurewa; North - RCN e-cycle, 2 Piermark Drive, Albany; West EcoMatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn.

To find out more about your e-waste options go to the Auckland Council website, www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/environmentwaste

I am an avid home sewer and quilter. I get a fair amount of waste fabric (about one to two large rubbish bags worth a year), both natural and synthetic. I used to recycle this through the pink recycling bags that are delivered to the letterbox or their associated bins, because they used to advise that they accepted "rags". Now they all state that only "good used clothing" is accepted. Will they still accept "rags", and if not, is there anywhere else that will in these small quantities? Patricia King, Cockle Bay.

This is a tricky one. Auckland Council's guide to recycling says that you may not put fabric scraps in the blue-top bin, or in any other recycling container that you have in your area.

The guide suggests you might take clothing and textiles to a charity bin or opshop, although I don't know if the latter would be all that keen. If anyone knows a way of disposing of waste fabric, I would be delighted to hear about it.