City of Clarence is excited to announce the launch of the first soft plastics recycling service provided by a council in southern Tasmania and provide an option for people to recycle their soft plastic waste.
The initiative is aimed at significantly reducing waste sent to landfills while promoting sustainable practices in our community.
Collection points will be available from 14 February 2025 and will provide Clarence residents with a responsible way to dispose of soft plastics, which have historically posed a challenge for recycling programs across Australia.
The initial rollout will include two locations in Clarence (Second Chance Re-Use Shop at Mornington Waste Transfer Station and Glebe Hill Shopping Centre) with the intention to expand the service in the future.
Soft plastic is defined as lightweight plastic that you can scrunch up in your hand – such as plastics bags, glad wrap, chip packets, plastic food wrapping. These items often end up in landfills, contributing to environmental degradation and the proliferation of microplastics that can end up in our natural areas and waterways.
Recognising the growing need for effective waste management solutions, the City of Clarence has partnered with RecycleSmart to provide a soft plastics recycling service that will not only divert the material from landfills but also facilitate its reuse.
Clarence City Council Mayor Brendan Blomeley said this was a much-needed service in our community.
“By providing an avenue for soft plastics recycling, we are taking a significant step towards minimising waste and a more sustainable future,” Mayor Blomeley said.
“Soft plastics are a challenging material to recycle through our standard kerbside collections and recycling facilities. So, when opportunities to partner with service providers like RecycleSmart pop up they are incredibly important.
“The cost of disposing of soft plastics is significant. Last year alone over 1,420 tonnes of soft plastics ended up in landfill, costing upwards of $230,000.”
The soft plastics collected from the two locations will be processed at RecycleSmart facilities and repurposed into products such as feedstock oil, which enables it to become soft plastics again.
The soft plastics recycling collection points are part of City of Clarence’s broader commitment to sustainability and waste reduction.
“As we move towards a greener future, we invite residents, local businesses, and organisations to join us in this initiative and help create a cleaner, healthier environment for generations to come,” Mayor Blomeley added.
“We encourage everyone to participate and make a positive impact on our environment.”
Key features of the soft plastics recycling service:
- Convenient drop-off locations: Residents can drop off their soft plastics at designated collection points at Glebe Hill Village and Mornington Park Waste Transfer station.
- Partnerships with local businesses: We are collaborating with local businesses and Australian recycling initiative RecycleSmart to create drop-off points in high-traffic areas, making it easier for residents.
- Sustainable solutions: Collected soft plastics will be processed and repurposed into new materials (such as feedstock oil, which enables it to become soft plastics again), contributing to a circular economy and reducing the demand for virgin plastic production.
- A second life: The soft plastics are baled and transported to be processed by RecycleSmart recycling partners.
For more information about soft plastics recycling, including guidelines on what can be recycled visit the waste and recycling webpage.