In the 2000s, a new shift in packaging began moving food and other consumer goods out of boxboard, and even cans, and into new kinds of plastic bags and pouches. Whether it be in the kitchen cupboard, the landfill, or the ocean, plastic is piling up. The plastics industry sold consumers and retailers on the convenience of “disposable” plastics. Plastic bags are relatively strong, incredibly cheap, waterproof, and, perhaps most importantly, made to be thrown away. Since the 1980s, disposable plastic film has provided a convenient way to bag groceries and carry purchases, transforming the way we shop and store our items. Understanding that it is not always that simple, we’ve compiled additional info and answers to some of your pressing questions about plastic bags and film:
So what can you do? The best solution is to recycle what is accepted, and to refuse and/or reduce the rest! Whether it is in use, recycled, landfilled, or in micro pieces in the environment, there is no “away” when we throw out plastic. We also know that all plastic ever manufactured is still on this planet. While there were significant roadblocks and a serious lack of transparency, we were able to conclude that, like many other plastics, we can’t guarantee that plastic film is getting recycled, even if it is clean, dry, and disposed of in the “right” place. In short, we don’t know the final destination of most plastic film because recycling is an ever-changing industry, in which markets are constantly shifting. It has taken our staff months to track down answers about where plastic bags, and other plastic films, end up when collected at local stores. Where can I take my plastic bags and film? Is it being recycled? Where does it go?įiguring out what to do with what the industry calls film plastic-produce bags, plastic wrap, dry cleaning bags, padded shipping envelopes, trash can liners, food pouches, newspaper bags, and other flexible plastic packaging-is a difficult task, but the Ecology Center is here to help. The Ecology Center Helpdesk fields dozens of calls each month highlighting the challenges that come with plastic disposal. More than 4.83 million tons of plastic film has been generated to date and only about 9.1% of that plastic is recycled. In our consumer world, plastic is everywhere and deciding what to do with it, can be confusing. If you forget your bags, ask for a cardboard box to store your items in at the supermarket.It can feel impossible to get away from using plastic. Tip: Store your re-usable enviro bags in your car so that you don’t forget them on your next visit to the Compostable bags are not to be confused with biodegradable bagsīiodegradable plastic bags should be placed in your generalĪvoid having to purchase and use plastic bags by using re-usable shopping bags made from jute, bamboo, Scraps and other organic kitchen materials. In colour and supplied through your local Council to use in your kitchen caddy/biobasket for collecting food Should be placed in your green lidded food and garden organics/FOGO bin.
The soft plastics are recycled and made into outdoor furniture, bollards and board walks.Ĭompostable bags which are made from corn-starch or PLA Plastic bags and other soft plastics can be placed in the REDcycle bins found at ColesĪnd Woolworths. So please leave plastic bags and soft plastics out. This causes contamination and reduces the value and recyclability of the paper and Plastic bags and other soft plastic wrapping also causes problems by getting caught in the paper andĬardboard stream. Watch this video, and you’ll never try to recycle a plastic bag Time, materials cannot be processed for recycling which wastes time and money. Then need to be stopped and cleared of the materials wrapped around them. This prevents the machinery from working effectively. Plastic bags as well as strapping, hoses, string and rope wrap and tangle around machinery at the Please place recyclable items into the recycle bin loosely, so they can be sorted and recycled There is also a safety hazard forĮmployees in doing this due to needles and other contaminants that may be inside the bags. There simply isn’t time, or manpower, to open and empty the bags. Bagged recycling cannot be separated and sorted for recycling and often goes to waste.
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