Soft Plastics recycling update
The stockpile that was left after the REDcycle scheme collapsed has now been fully processed. The other good news is that we have a lot more recycling capacity – around 3 times the capacity that was available during REDcycle. The latest addition is APR Recycling’s chemical plastic recycling plant in Dandenong. This converts soft plastics back into oil, which can then be used to make new plastics for packaging and other products.,
Other recyclers include iQ Renew in Taree (NSW), saveBOARD in Wingecarribee (NSW) and Replas in Ballarat and Melbourne.
The industry group responsible for rolling out the national soft plastics recycling scheme (Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia - SPSA) is now calling for more householders to recycle their soft plastics (you can read more on ABC News).
Please spread the word to your friends and family…we know that many people are still unaware that the collection program is back.
How to recycle in the Illawarra
See Circular Plastics Illawarra’s “Illawarra Circular Choices Guide“ reel on Facebook. This contains a link to download the resource.
You can drop your soft plastics at any Woolworths store. They must be clean, dry and completely empty.
If you have larger quantities you can also take them to Flagstaff Group in Unanderra at specific times:
Monday to Thursday 4.15pm to 4.45pm
Not available on Friday
Sat 8am – 10.45am
Packaging regulation
SPSA is a voluntary scheme funded by many of Australia’s largest manufacturers and retailers. To ensure that all producers join the scheme (currently at only ~15% of the market), it needs to be mandatory. We are still expecting national packaging reforms to be introduced later in the year to make ALL producers responsible for the packaging they put onto the market. Called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), this would require producers to fund recycling through schemes like SPSA.
Take action in Plastic Free July
Recycling is only part of the answer - we also need to reduce our consumption of plastics, which is still growing.
Fifteen years ago, a small group in Western Australia started a campaign called Plastic Free July to encourage people to reduce plastic waste. It is now a global movement, with an incredible 174 million participants globally, the largest plastic waste avoidance campaign on the planet.
Plastic Free July asks you to choose one thing to do, or not do, to reduce your plastic waste during July. This can be as challenging as you make it. There are lots of great tips on their website and you can make your own personal pledge at Plastic Free July. This year they’re aiming to reach a new world record for “The Most People Refusing Single-Use Plastic in One Day”.