Pilot plastics program reaches halfway mark

THE City of Ballarat’s soft plastics kerbside collection pilot program has passed the half way mark and more than 16,000 kilograms of soft plastic have been diverted from landfill.

More then 5000 households have opted into the program where residents can recycle ‘scrunchable’ plastics.

The recycled plastic will be turned into products or packaging as part of a plan to develop a long-term circular system for soft plastic waste.

“It is heartening to see that Ballarat households have filled more than half of the allocated spaces in the pilot program,” said mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves.

“I’d encourage as many people as possible to sign up to the pilot program and divert their scrunchable soft plastics from going to landfill.”

Soft plastics can only be recycled in supplied orange backs and must be empty and dry.

Soft plastics include bread and cereal bags, frozen vegetable packets, lolly wrappers, bubble and cling wrap and plastic toilet paper wrap.

Supplied orange bags must be filled and tied tightly like a basketball, and it can then be placed in the recycling bin.

They are then transported to APR Kerbside in Truganina, where they are sorted, cleaned and shredded.

To join the program, visit ballarat.vic.gov.au/property/waste/recycling-ballarat or call 5320 5500.