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In a reaction to customer pressure and the War on Waste television series, Coles’ is expanding their participation in the Red Group’s REDcycle soft plastics recyling program.
Some weeks ago Coles Wingham, Old Bar and Forster were added to the list of stores on the REDcycle website where customers could take their soft plastics for recycling.
Coles in Wingham have noticed a big increase in people using the bin at the front of their store, which previously only took plastic bags.
“We empty it maybe two or three times a week,” employee Jo Shoesmith said.
Some people on social media have been lamenting the lack of boxes to take groceries home in.
“Back in the day we did offer a box bin our customers could use as well, but because of fire regulations we couldn’t use that anymore,” Jo said.
Coles Taree is not listed on the REDcycle website, but they have applied for a bin.
Woolworths in Gloucester has been a soft plastics recycler since they opened four years ago. They have a red full-sized garbage bin out the front of the store to put soft plastics in. They have a bale press out the back for cardboard and a separate one for the soft plastics.
All of the supermarkets questioned answered they have had a lot of inquiries about soft plastics recycling since the War on Waste aired.
The aim of REDcycle is to reduce the amount of plastics bags and packaging going into landfill. The soft plastics are sent to REDcycle for initial processing, then delivered to Victorian manufacturer Replas where the plastics undergo an “incredible transformation.”
What can you put in REDcycle bins?
- Any plastics that are scrunchable
- Silver-lined chip and snack packets
- Biscuit packets (outer packaging only)
- Bubble wrap
- Dry pet food bags
- Plastic bags
- Old green bags
- Netting produce bags (with metal clips removed)
This is only a basic list of what is recyclable at REDcycle bins. For a more comprehensive list visit redcycle.net.au.