Northern Beaches Council trials soft plastics recycling

Northern Beaches Council will soon start a trial to make recycling plastic wrapping, bread bags and other soft plastics easier.

Since the suspension of the national REDcycle program that operated out of popular supermarkets, residents have had nowhere to drop off these plastics for recycling.

At a meeting on 28 February 2023, council resolved to pursue a soft plastics collection and processing trial at drop-off locations for the Northern Beaches.

The council will continue to look for opportunities for larger-scale collections and recycling, should funding and markets be available.

Mayor Michael Regan said that although soft plastics recycling is a national challenge that needs a supply chain solution, the council could act locally to help.

“The best thing anyone can do to help solve our soft plastics problem is to avoid them, but avoiding them altogether is almost impossible,” Regan 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.”

Council will continue to work with the community to promote and educate residents around living sustainably, avoiding waste and recycling.

For more information, visit www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au