A wide range of Aussie household items once destined for landfill are now available for a new era of recycling thanks to innovative thinking.
Kids toys, single-use masks, thongs, takeaway containers and even wetsuits are among a wide range of Aussie household items once destined for landfill now available for a new era of recycling.
Innovative recycling firm TerraCycle, who are leading the way in dealing with hard-to-recycle items have partnered with the likes of Big W, Havaianas, Maybelline and Rip Curl to help ramp up local sustainability efforts and reduce household waste.
A new free recycling program has been created through local business partnerships, where people can drop off items that aren’t suitable for council recycling, at their local participating stores, or in some cases mail in the items.
The move comes as a new report from TerraCycle: Household Recycling in Australia 2021, revealed that nine out of 10 Aussies would be willing to pay extra for products that can be recycled and the majority of Australians (55 per cent) are likely to avoid products made by companies that aren’t eco-friendly.
“Customers care about packaging and the environment generally. They want to know how the packaging of a product is made and how it interacts when it hits the recycling bin,” Jean Bailliard, General Manager, TerraCycle Australia and New Zealand said.
“If customers raise their demand for more sustainable and eco-friendly products, brands will gradually be pressured to make the switch to keep consumers happy.”
Kids toys are a major source of un-recyclable waste that ends up in landfill because they are made of complex materials like metal, rubber and a variety of plastics.
TerraCycle has specific programs aimed at recycling the super popular Paw Patrol and LOL Surprise toys.
However the pandemic has witnessed a worrying rise in takeaway packaging, plastic bags and single-use gloves piling up in many household bins: another issue that needs to be urgently addressed.
The Terracycle report also found Aussies harbour an overwhelming desire to manage household waste.
“Customers are increasingly purchasing products that can go back to the community and benefit everyone,” Mr Balliard said.
”Our report has shown that Australians are taking action and using their purchasing power to make positive changes for both the community and the environment.”
Big W for example has begun recycling all brands of toys and expanding their program across their stores in order to increase recycling accessibility for all Australians.
While Rip Curl wetsuits will be reprocessed into raw materials that can be used in children’s playgrounds.
Other brands that have partnered with TerraCycle include David Jones and L’Occitane to help with the sustainable disposal of beauty products and packages.
It is predicted that in the future this new wave of recycling could become part of weekly council kerbside waste collection and recycling services.
For more information visit terracycle.com.au
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