After more than two years without a local solution, Kingborough residents no longer have to throw their bread bags and chocolate wrappers in the bin.
Kingborough Council has become the latest in the state’s south to introduce a soft plastics recycling program, joining Hobart and Clarence in offering the service.
A trial collection point has opened at the Barretta Waste and Recycling Centre, giving residents a dedicated drop-off location for items that can’t go in household recycling bins.
“This will provide our community with an easy way to recycle items that can’t go in household recycling bins,” Mayor Paula Wriedt said.
The move addresses a significant gap that emerged when major supermarkets suspended their in-store soft plastic collection points in 2022.
“Soft plastics are one of the most challenging items to recycle,” Wriedt said.
“By working with partners like RecycleSmart, we’re able to give these materials a second life and reduce our community’s environmental footprint.”
The service accepts soft plastics that can be easily scrunched, including biscuit packaging, bread bags, bubble wrap, chocolate wrappers, cling wrap, plastic bags, post satchels and pasta packets.
RecycleSmart will process the collected materials into new products including oil and additives for asphalt.
“This is part of council’s ongoing commitment to reduce waste and improve recycling options for residents,” Wriedt said.
Only clean and dry soft plastics will be accepted, as wet, dirty or mouldy materials cannot be processed.
