Get ready Shellharbour, Council is set to launch its second soft plastic recycling drop off on Sunday 23 February 2025 after the success of the first installment of the initiative last year.
With a month until drop off, now is the time to save all your soft plastics and store them in a large plastic bag so that you can easily bring them along on the day.
What are soft plastics?
The community are encouraged to bring empty, clean, and dry soft plastics for recycling, such as:
- Plastic bags (clear and coloured)
- Biscuit and snack wrappers
- Chip packets and other silver-lined snack wrappers
- Fresh and frozen food wrappers/bags
- Pasta, bread, and rice bags (both plastic and woven types)
- Cling wrap, bubble wrap, and snap lock zip bags
- Document sleeves, mail satchels, and carrier bags
- Cereal liners and plastic pet food bags
Soft plastics make up approximately 7% (by mass) of red-lid bin contents, according to the most recent residential kerbside bin audit. However, due to their very low density, soft plastics take up significantly more space.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said he was excited for the second instalment of the event following the successes of the first drop off.
"We had a great response to the first soft plastic recycling drop off and we are confident that the second edition is going to continue to grow," Mayor Homer said.
"Council is committed to supporting sustainability initiatives, whilst building a greener, more environmentally responsible community. This free service is a great example of Council leading the way in creating a better environment for the future."
117kgs of soft plastics were collected in Shellharbour's first Soft Plastic Recycling drop off in November 2024. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council.
Fifty-seven people attended the first event in November 2024, including six people located outside Shellharbour. Members of the public dropped off 117 kgs of soft plastics - enough to fill 18 large wheelie bins.
The free drop-off service is part of a 12-month trial in collaboration with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation (ISJO), which consists of the four member councils of Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven, and Wollongong.
Next Council soft plastic recycling drop off:
Sunday 23 February 2025 from 9am-3pm at Albion Park carpark, Ash Ave, Albion Park Rail
