Our NEW soft plastic recycling initiative
We have partnered with APR Plastics to bring a new soft plastic recycling initiative to our councils. Currently, soft plastics collection will resume in Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, City of Canada Bay, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney, Penrith, Sutherland Shire, Randwick*, Waverley and Willoughby Council areas.
What happens to the soft plastics?
The soft plastics will be compacted and stored at consolidation points until there are enough pallets to fill a truck. The pallets will then be transported directly to APR Plastics facility in Victoria and will be recycled, right here in Australia.
How does the recycling process work?
1. The soft plastics are baled and loaded onto a pallet. The pallets will then be transported directly to APR Plastics in Victoria where it will be processed.
2. At the facility, the soft plastics are shredded so it can be consistently fed into the process.
3. Shredded plastics are then fed into the Biofabrik WASTX pyrolysis machine.
4. The uniquely designed corkscrew conveyor transports the plastic material into the reactor and breaks it down at high temperatures. The plastic is then converted into feedstock oil.
5. The feedstock oil is then sent to VIVA Energy’s Geelong refinery for further processing. From here it is then turned into resin, which enables it to be turned back into food grade plastic packaging again.
When will soft plastic collection resume in my council?
We would love to be able to provide this service to as many people as possible. With councils help, the end goal is to make soft plastic collection available again to all RecycleSmart users as soon as we can.
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ.
We are working hard to make recycling easier for everyone, but if we aren’t offering pickups in your area yet and you would like us to, click here.
*Randwick Council have their own partnership with a local recycler, based in Sydney. Soft plastics from Randwick residents will be taken to the recycling facility where they will be pelletised and then recycled into wheel stops, posts, pallets and bollards. The end goal is for Randwick Council to buy back these items for the Randwick community, creating a true circular solution.
