Soft plastics, textiles, e-waste and more can now be recycled in the Blue Mountains (Photo: Blue Mountains City Council)
Story by Linda Moon
Most of us have got into the groove around recycling. But what do we do with those tricky items that can’t go in the recycling bin? A local recycling initiative has soft plastics, old undies and socks, broken tech, plant pots and more, sorted.
Key Points:
A new trial recycling program for soft plastics and e-waste has joined the textile, blister pack and plant pot recycling service at two Blue Mountains locations.
Waste contributes to air, soil and water pollution, global warming and negative impacts on wildlife, habitats and human health.
Imagine the weight of 471 Sydney Opera Houses. That’s the total waste Australians generate every year. Plastic is one of the least recycled and most enduring materials on earth.
But, when it comes to plastics and textiles we’re not so good. The vast majority of these are still going into landfill (a mere 13 per cent of plastic is recycled!). In fact, plastic pollution is one of the most pressing issues of our time.
The problem with plastic
Founder of the Plastic Free Foundation and Plastic Free July, Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, explains that the lightweight and durable qualities of plastic make it a huge problem for the environment.
It’s particularly bad for wildlife. Animals regularly get entangled in plastic and consume it. Plastic, which is primarily made from fossil fuels, also leaches chemicals into the environment which proliferate up the food chain, causing problems to human and animal health.
Children from the United States of America fight against plastic pollution in Berkeley, California. From the United Nations Exhibit: Plastic Is Forever. (Photo:Jacqueline Elbing-Omania).
If that wasn’t bad enough, plastic has a tendency to travel and has a very lengthy lifespan (most plastic will out-live you and I). It can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to break down, according to the United Nations exhibit Plastic Is Forever. Even then, it doesn’t decompose altogether, but breaks into smaller and smaller bits that pollute the environment.
And, while the Great Pacific Garbage Patch might seem far away, plastic pollution is also a problem in our Blue Mountains creeks, parks and bushland.
Plastic can last from 20 to 500 years if not forever. Do the world a favour and keep it out of the environment. (Photo: Blue Mountains City Council)
New recycling initiative has your waste sorted
In a win for the war on plastic and other harder to recycle materials, Blue Mountains City Council is trialing a new option for soft plastic and e-waste recycling. The trial, which started November 13, runs till June 2024. It follows the introduction (earlier this year) of textile, plant pot and blister pack recycling.
Household quantities of these can all be dropped off at the Katoomba Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility. Keeping it easy, the facility serves as a one-stop drop for the recyclable materials and more. And if you’re a Blue Mountains resident, it’s free!
According to Rebecca Scarpin, Waste and Resource Coordinator at Blue Mountains City Council, all the materials are recycled through contractors. “There’s a lot of checking and due diligence done to make sure it’s being recycled,” she says, addressing public concerns around the effectiveness of recycling.
So what can you drop off?
Soft plastics
‘Soft’ plastics are anything that doesn’t bounce back into its original shape when it’s scrunched into a ball in your hand, Rebecca explains.
It includes bubble wrap, plastic film, cereal box liners, the packets and wrappers of products like confectionary, bread, chocolate, chips, frozen foods, pasta, noodles and pet food, re-sealable plastic bags, grocery bags, cling wrap, fruit netting bags, plastic sachets, snap-lock bags and document sleeves.
How are the soft plastics recycled? Blue Mountains City Council has partnered with RecycleSmart, who will collect the soft plastics and e-waste items from the Katoomba and Blaxland facilities. Soft plastics will then be transported to APR Plastics for processing into feedstock oil, which enables it to become plastic packaging again.
Hard plastics and plant pots
What about hard (rigid) plastic, then? It will continue to go into your yellow kerbside recycling bin, Rebecca says. Rigid plastics include plastic containers from your kitchen, bathroom and laundry.
Plant pots and labels are not considered a rigid plastic from the kitchen, laundry or bathroom and shouldn’t be placed in the kerbside bin. As part of improvements to recycling Rebecca and her team have been working on, the resource recovery and waste management facilities now have a dedicated drop off cage for the pots.
Plant pots like these now have a drop-off point at the Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility. (Photo: Linda Moon.)
Blister Packs
Another form of plastic you can’t put in your recycling bin is blister packs (for medicines and supplements). “These are part plastic, part foil, which makes them more difficult to recycle,” Rebecca says. There are now also specific bins for blister packs at the waste facility.
What about e-waste?
E-waste is unwanted or unusable electronic items: most things with a cord that plug into the power.
It includes entertainment equipment (like DVD players, digital cameras and musical instruments), computers and accessories, phones, electric power tools, extension cords and power boards, small household appliances, household and personal items such as lamps, vapes, clocks and electric toothbrushes. Toys that light up or make sounds are also considered e-waste. For the full list, click here.
E-waste is collected by RecycleSmart, then disassembled, sorted, and individual waste streams are recovered for recycling into new products.
Examples of e-waste. (Photo: Linda Moon)
That’s not all! There’s a new textile recovery bin.
You can also drop off clothing, hats, shoes and accessories like belts, plus Manchester, including towels, sheets, cushions, pillows and blankets, plus soft toys and outdoor soft furnishings.
As with the other recyclable materials, these must be in household quantities only.
The average Australian buys over 14 kilograms of new clothing a year. Most of this ends up in landfill according to a 2022 report.
A new life for your stuff. Dropped off textiles are recycled or upcycled or sent for repair or reprocessing as industrial cloths and products like flooring and rugs. (Photo: Blue Mountains City Council)
The sites are always manned by staff whose job it is to provide direction, support and advice, Rebecca says. Staff will direct you to the bins for blister pack, soft plastic, e-waste, PP5 plastic, textiles and other recycling options as needed.
The service is free for Blue Mountains residents, and is limited to household quantities of each type of recyclable only. For more info on what you can drop off at the resource recovery and waste facility, check out the Katoomba and Blaxland sites and the Blue Mountains City Council A-Z of Waste and Recyling.
The Katoomba facility is open:
8am to 4pm Monday to Friday
10am to 2pm Saturday
Closed Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day
Blaxland is open:
8am to 4.45pm 7 days a week
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day
Katoomba Resource Recovery & Waste Management Facility. Manned by staff who can help you.(Photo: Blue Mountains City Council)
Take Action:
Get organised: Set up containers for sorting and storing your e-waste, soft plastic and so on. Make a date in your diary to drop off your stuff.
Spread the news: Tell your friends and family about the new recycling services. Share this story!
Get the non-plastic alternative: start using more eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. You can find these at local health food stores, the Blue Mountains Food Co-op, online and more.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
We have a rare opportunity to learn about the newest and best possible ways to support family and community members struggling with mental health issues, at a free talk and afternoon tea provided by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 Nov. Hear from Peter Joseph AM, Chair of the Black Dog Institute, and Professor Helen Christensen AO, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and former Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute. They`ll be in conversation with journalist Emma Rossi. Dr Christensen is a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
This Saturday Sherlie McMillan from Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be running a workshop on How to use a sewing machine from 9am at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Learn how to set up a machine, service it, troubleshoot when it`s not sewing correctly, and learn some basic sewing skills.
Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/how-to-use-your-sewing-machine
NB. This class is a prerequisite for our very popular Fashion Upcycling classes held once a month.
We`re thrilled to announce that Professor Helen Christensen, a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression, will be joining the conversation with Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute and journalist Emma Rossi at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 November. Helen was the Executive Director and Chief Scientist for the Black Dog Institute for 10 years and has now been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. This free event is being co-hosted by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Human composting is increasingly being legalised around the world. Read about it in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/legalising-human-composting/
If you’d like to see this option available in NSW you can now sign a live petition to the NSW Parliament here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/43QIHbz
Thanks to everyone who contributed to deliver a fantastic Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day yesterday. @mark_greenhill_mayor opened the event at which we celebrated the 13th birthday of Betty the Asbestos Education House; @firecoat_au demonstrated and launched its range of fire retardant products that can help protect homes, gardens and even electricity poles; the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit was launched; Santa arrived and delighted young and old; and @plantinspired99 and Action for Animals fed us all with a delicious plant-based sausage sizzle. The day was filled with talks, workshops, stalls and the sharing of a huge amount of expertise to keep us, and the other species we share our planet with, safe and healthy! @southkatoomba.rfb @nswses @fireandrescuensw @nswrfs @redcrossleura @redcrossau @shelter.building.design @firehalo.au @asbestosawareness @amelie_ecology @bbagsbluemtns @wireswildliferescue @handsheartfeet
Our marquee is up and we`re excited about our Expo and Family Day tomorrow (Sat 22 Nov). There`s something for everyone from a free sausage sizzle, plants from Santa and drumming and pollinator workshops, to sessions on keeping you and our community safe from extreme weather events and hazardous substances like mould and asbestos. Learn how intumescent paints can slow the spread of fire and pick up a sample pot; check out all our emergency service organisations; learn how to dispose of hazardous materials; paint a native orchid, make some seed balls or sew a boomerang bag to give as plastic-free Christmas presents this year; enjoy coffee and locally made sweets; and get tips on how to retrofit your home safely and beautifully to be prepared for future extreme weather events. View the full program and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many new and innovative ways of doing things, like the new cooking techniques being explored by Michael from Good Fat Pastry, and the new fire protection methods being launched at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Check out Michael’s recent presentation at the Food Security Fair in our video here: https://bit.ly/4pnXbIg (link in profile) and come along to taste his delicious carrot cake and pastries at the Expo on Saturday. Check out the program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
In 2006 Peter Joseph’s son Michael suicided after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter is now the Chair of the Black Dog Institute which is working to achieve better outcomes for all those struggling with mental health issues. Journalist Emma Rossi will engage Peter in an intimate and moving conversation about a life of purpose and mental health advocacy. As a Rotary scholar Peter will also reflect on how Rotary helped shape his values and sense of purpose as a young man - and how those early lessons continue to guide his work today. This free event is being hosted by the Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative on Saturday 29 November from 2-4pm at the Planetary Health Centre at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Learn about intumescent fire retardant paint and a range of other strategies to prepare for extreme weather events, and to manage hazardous materials, at the upcoming Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre on Sat 22 Nov. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J We checked out how intumescent paint works in this video.
When temperatures reach a certain point the intumescent paint begins to swell and expand, often up to 50 times its original thickness. It forms a thick, carbonaceous "char" that acts as an insulating barrier. This layer slows the rate at which heat reaches the structural elements and buys valuable time for people to safely exit a building during a fire. It makes the structure safer for firefighters and rescue teams. #intumescentpaint #fireretardant #bushfire @firecoat_au...
Mould, lead paint, asbestos, silica dust from engineered stone bench tops and a wide range of chemicals, are amongst some of the many hazardous substances entering our environment and negatively impacting our health. Asbestos is found in over 3000 products including textured paints, moulded garden pots, brake pads and clutch linings in older cars, floor and ceiling tiles, lino, fibro, roofing, pipes and gutters, hot water systems, backing for switchboards and insulation boards in air-conditioning ducts, insulation, sealants, fillers, caulking and adhesives, gaskets for industrial and lab equipment and more. We’ll have information to take away and Blue Mountains City Council and the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) will be running free workshops on how to identify and manage these hazardous substances at the Planetary Health Centre`s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. Find out more and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Are you ready for the next bushfire, heatwave or flood? Why not take steps to prepare at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Award-winning Hempcrete designer Kirstie Wulf from @shelter.building.design will share 10 steps to build or renovate for sustainability and resilience; engineer Mark Liebman will share how you can build a green roof to reduce stormwater runoff and cool your building; Dr Agnieszka Wujeska-Klause will share research results on the most appropriate actions to lower heat in summer and help you use a thermal imaging camera to identify which surfaces retain the most heat; Frank Inzitari will introduce you to the @firehalo.au which can help reduce ember attack; and a team from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will work with you to use the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit to design your own personal bushfire plan. We`ll also be launching Firecoat`s new Bushfire Home Protection Kit. Learn more and register to attend here: https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many extraordinary volunteers keeping us and wildlife safe all year round! Come along and meet them at the Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Saturday 22nd Nov. Learn what you can do to be ready for emergencies, and how you can volunteer or help in some other way. Together we can be more prepared and reduce the risk of disaster. There`ll be a free sausage sizzle so help give us an idea of numbers by registering here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Linda Moon has lived in the upper Blue Mountains since childhood and is a freelance writer for Australian media. A qualified naturopath, permaculture designer, mother and former student of social work, her passion is building local community, gardening, mental, emotional, social, housing and environmental health – all of which are linked!
As global food insecurity increases, research suggests that the ‘planetary health diet’ is one solution. This calls for a shift towards a plant-based diet and more local food production. Local social enterprise Farm it Forward is showing how this can be done in school yards and one backyard after another.
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