Pittwater Life April 2023 Issue

Council soft plastics recycling trial
After several years of
research and investigation,
Northern Beaches Council
will soon start a trial to make
it easier for residents to recycle
plastic wrapping, bread bags and
other soft plastics.
The aim is to keep soft plastics
out of landfill as much as possible.
‘Soft plastics’ or ‘scrunchable
plastics’ are commonly used in
consumer product packaging.
Council noted that since the
suspension of the national
REDcycle program that ran out
of popular supermarkets, local
residents had not had anywhere
to drop-off these plastics for
recycling.
At its February meeting, Council
resolved to pursue a soft plastics
collection and processing trial for the
Northern Beaches at drop-off locations.
Mayor Michael Regan said Council
was currently negotiating with recycling
suppliers and would release trial details
and the drop-off locations as soon as
details were finalised.
Council will also continue to monitor
the market and look at opportunities for
larger-scale collections and recycling,
CHALLENGE: Soft plastics recycling.
should funding and markets for recycled
soft plastics be available.
Mayor Regan said that although
soft plastics recycling was a national
challenge that needed a whole of supply
chain solution, acting locally would
make a significant contribution.
“The best thing anyone can do to help
solve our soft plastics problem is to
avoid them, but avoiding them altogether
is almost impossible,” he said.
“We have spent years investigating the
collection and recycling of soft plastics
and exploring possible options for
schemes and programs that will
help facilitate recycling within
our community.
“There are real challenges facing
soft plastics recycling, but we want
to help find long-term solutions
and alternatives.
“This trial is an excellent step
in the right direction, and we’re
hoping it leads to keeping soft
plastics out of landfill as much as
possible.”
Federal Mackellar MP Dr Sophie
Scamps said the fact the trial was
going ahead was fantastic news
for the community, and the local
environment.
“With the collapse of REDcycle,
community-based initiatives like this
one are an important part of creating
a circular economy and reducing the
impact of plastics on our environment,”
Dr Scamps told Pittwater Life.
“Northern Beaches Council and Mayor
Michael Regan – now newly minted
Independent MP for Wakehurst – should be
commended for pushing ahead with this.”
Council will continue to work with the
community to promote and educate residents
around living sustainably, avoiding
waste and recycling. – Lisa Offord
News
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APRIL 2023 29