Council is launching an innovative kerbside soft plastics recycling collection trial in Romsey on 7 November to support the community to reduce waste and recycle more.
During the trial, approximately 2,246 Romsey residents and businesses using Council's kerbside collection service will be able to recycle their soft plastics by collecting them separately in the Council- supplied orange collection bag and placing them in the recycling bin (yellow lid) on collection day.
Residents and businesses in the trial area will receive an information pack, including a letter and ten orange collection bags to use during the trial period. People can purchase additional orange bags from the Romsey Transfer Station or Romsey Hub at $3 per pack of 10 bags.
Residents and business owners can also continue to take large and excess soft plastic to their nearest transfer station for free or take them to a participating supermarket drop-off location.
This trial accepts all soft plastic items accepted in the REDcycle service and items that carry the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL)–Return to Store symbol or REDcycle logo.
A recent audit revealed that up to 70 percent of Macedon Ranges Shire's general waste was soft plastics. The trial is anticipated to divert soft plastics from landfill and assist with capacity issues some people face with their general waste bins.
Soft plastics collected in the trial will be sent to a specialist processor in Victoria to make new plastic products locally, creating a circular economy.
Participating residents and businesses will be invited to complete a survey four months into the trial. Council will review the trial's outcome and explore options for an ongoing shire-wide service to support soft plastic recycling.
The 12-month trial is part of a national trial for a stewardship program led by the Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC) and funded by the Australian Government.
For more information, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/romseytrial or call 5422 0333.
