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.
Tickets now available here for the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium on 2nd August. A day of internationally renowned speakers, forums, live entertainment and family activities to grow an urgent groundswell for peace (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
Today is the 80th anniversary of the world’s first atomic bomb test. Three weeks after today the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in Japan. Help us grow a groundswell of support to ban these horrific nuclear weapons that have caused so much cancer, death and suffering. Check out this fabulous screen print produced by Don McGregor and Indigenous artist Burri for a Peace Festival in Katoomba 37 years ago! It will be on display with other peace posters at the Peace Symposium and Community Picnic on Sat 2nd August. Don is one of the founders of the Blue Mountains Peace Collective which will be meeting at the Planetary Health Centre at 10am this Saturday. All welcome to help us prepare for the Symposium where we’ll be hearing from internationally regarded speakers on how we can work to stop wars and get nuclear weapons banned. Book your place early here as places are limited for the talks (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
We`re thrilled to be hosting a delicious lunch to launch the new Greater Blue Mountains Rotary Club on Sunday 27 July at the Planetary Health Centre. The Rotary Clubs of Central Blue Mountains, Katoomba and Blackheath are joining forces and their first project is to fundraise to purchase `rooming-in` cribs for Blue Mountains Hospital. It`s an opportunity to meet the new Club members, and become part of a global network of more than 1.2 million people who volunteer their skills and resources to solve issues and address community needs. Rotary has 7 areas of focus that all contribute to the health of our planet: Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention; Disease Prevention and Treatment; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; Maternal and Child Health; Basic Education and Literacy; Community Economic Development; and Protecting the Environment. $5 of every lunch ticket goes towards purchasing a rooming-in crib for the hospital. You can purchase a ticket here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/celebrating-the-launch-of-greater-blue-mountains-rotary
At the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium on August 2nd, Robert Tickner AO, the Ambassador for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), will explain how ICAN is building a powerful global groundswell of public support for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Dr Siswo Pramono, the Indonesian Ambassador, will explain why Indonesia ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in September 2024. They will both discuss the implications of the Treaty for regional and global peace. This discussion is part of a full day of activities at the Planetary Health Centre at which you can join the global groundswell for peace! View the program and get your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium (link in profile)
We`re thrilled that the Bearded Ladies Community Choir will be performing at the Peace Picnic which is part of the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium on Saturday 2 August. Check out the full day program and book your ticket here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
We`re offering a great opportunity for 6-8 yr olds to learn some fun basic textile skills next Thursday 17 July, that will give them the confidence and inspiration to eventually learn how to sew, upcycle and repair! You can book a place here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/weaving-and-embroidery-workshop-for-6-8yr-olds
Did you know that the Peace Symbol, designed by Gerald Holtom in 1958, is based on flag semaphore signals? The vertical line represents the semaphore signal for "D" (for disarmament), and the downward lines represent "N" (for nuclear). Design and make your own Peace Badge at the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium and Peace Picnic on Saturday 2nd August at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre (bookings here (link in profile: https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium).
On another one of the badges below, the phrase "Hell no, we won`t go" is one which gained prominence in Australia during the Vietnam War, when conscription was introduced. Many young men refused to be conscripted, leading to protests, demonstrations, and the formation of anti-war movements. These movements, including the Moratorium campaigns, played a significant role in shaping public opinion and ultimately contributing to the end of Australia`s involvement in the war.
The Planetary Health Peace Symposium is bringing together veterans of the Peace Movement (including an organiser of the Moratorium campaign), Rotary and Quakers, Robert Tickner AO (ambassador for ICAN: the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), Mayor Mark Greenhill, a signatory of Mayors for Peace, Susan Templeman MP, Indonesian Ambassador Dr Siswo Pramono on Indonesia’s ratification of the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty, as well as community members concerned about a world increasingly consumed by war. On the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, participate in a program of talks, film, stalls, music, art and a Community Peace Picnic as, together, we take urgent action for nuclear disarmament and peace.
It`s been 80 years since the horror of nuclear weapons was first unleashed with the US bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Find out how we can work together to stop this madness and grow a Movement for Peace at the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium on Saturday 2nd August. The day will include presentations by Robert Tickner AO, the Ambassador for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN); Mayor Mark Greenhill on Mayors for Peace; Susan Templeman MP; Dr Siswo Pramano: Indonesian Ambassador; veterans of the Peace Movement and young activists; Rowe Morrow OAM from Quakers; Jennifer Scott AM from Rotary International; journalist Harumi Hayakawa; and Dharug man Chris Tobin. It will also include a film screening, and a Community Peace Picnic with food, exhibition, stalls, badge and origami crane making and live music with the Bearded Ladies Community Choir. The Symposium has been organised by the Blue Mountains Peace Collective and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. Please share to help us grow a movement and book your tickets at the link below (link in profile):
The Bushcare Seed Collectors are meeting today from 10am to 3pm at the Planetary Health Centre. It`s a great way to learn more about propagating native plants. Watch our video below and read more in Katoomba Area Local News: https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/bushcare-seed-collectors/...
The Bushcare Seed Collectors are meeting today from 10am to 3pm at the Planetary Health Centre. It`s a great way to learn more about propagating native plants. Read more in Katoomba Area Local News: https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/bushcare-seed-collectors/ (link in profile)
We are holding School Holiday workshops for young people on Thursday 17 July. In these fun workshops with Sherlie Mcmillan (known for her Fashion Upcycling and Women`s Shed workshops) young people will be introduced to woodwork and textile crafts with a great teacher! Accompanying adults welcome.
Book for the Weaving and Embroidery Workshop for 6-8 yr olds here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/weaving-and-embroidery-workshop-for-6-8yr-olds
Book for the Workshop for 8-12 yr olds to Create a Pom Pom Launcher, Pom Poms and Headband here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/create-a-pom-pom-launcher-pom-poms-and-headband
Our new Planetary Health Newsletter includes the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium, School Holiday Workshops, today`s Planetary Health Bushcare, a story about a Men`s Group in Lawson, a workshop on Designing Your Future Home, and information on how to prepare for Bushfire Season with Council`s chipping service. You can read it here: https://bit.ly/3TkWGRj (link in profile) #planetaryhealth #peace #peacesymposium #bluemountains #schoolholidayworkshops #hope #solutions #mensgroup #katoomba...
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!
Last week around 160 first year medical students were introduced to Planetary Health and Dharug culture at the Planetary Health Centre, with presentations by Professor Lynne Madden from Notre Dame, Lis Bastian from the Planetary Health Centre and Dharug man Chris Tobin.
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