Breaking the code: what’s recyclable, what’s not?

Jess Hodge from Resourceful Living is joining Renew Hunter Region Branch in Port Stephens on Sunday 21 June for a hands-on experience on the journey from discarded plastic to practical product. Everything you wanted to know about plastic recycling, but didn't know who to ask!

Some people question if recycling plastics is really worth the bother and if what we put in our recycling bins ends up in landfill anyway. Jess will demystify the recycling process, tell us what those little symbols mean on plastic packaging, show us some practical household items, and help us make our own recycled plastic item at the workshop.

Jess talks a lot about how recycled plastic is the new raw material. 

‘Our vision is to help consumers see that recycling is making a difference and to keep up the great work. Think outside the box and see what we can create with recycled plastic.’

'Many people think we should stop using plastic altogether and yes of course, we should limit our use of plastic wherever possible. However, it is a practical product as long as it is not used for convenience or single-use, but can continue to be reused and re-manufactured as a valued resource’.

So if you’d like to hear more from Jess about the manufacturing process at Resourceful Living, ask questions about the future options for plastic, to see some finished products or make your own, come along to our free workshop.

This is a free event and places are limited – bookings essential.

We appreciate the support of the Salamander Bay Recycling Centre.

About Resourceful Living

In 2021, during the height of the Covid pandemic, the Hodge Family launched their new start-up company in Kurri Kurri. The multi-award winning Resourceful Living team manufacture products from 100% post-consumer waste using recycled plastics to make stylish items such as furniture, homewares and building supplies such as the latest in smart skirting boards!

They are proud to be working towards a circular economy. The plastic is sourced from the East Coast of Australia and then fully manufactured in their factory for both indoor and outdoor use such as furniture, homewares and building supplies. Their methods allow for each product to be recycled up to 10 times reducing the need for new materials to be prepared, whether plastics, wood or other resources. This creates a circular and sustainable approach to the way of life for households and businesses.

Their goal is to remove plastic from oceans and landfill, by recycling and reusing HDPE (2) up to 10 times for a cleaner, more sustainable world for future generation. People forget that recycling does not start when an object is placed into a bin for pick up. Recycling begins once the process begins and material is shredded, processed and created into something new, then purchased by a customer in its new form.

Resourceful Living Awards since starting out in 2021:

• SILVER AWARD – Top 50 Innovator/Manufacturer Award Australia 2025

• HIGHLY COMMENDED – Business Hunter Excellence in Small Business Award 2025

• FINALIST – Young Business Person of the Year 2025

• WINNER – Hunternet Industry Excellence Award – Sustainability 2024

• FINALIST – Australian Small Business Champion Awards 2024

• SILVER AWARD – Top 50 Innovator/Manufacturer Award Australia 2024

• WINNER – Hunter Manufacturing Awards – Collaboration and Partnership Award 2023

• RECIPIENT – Top 50 Innovator/Manufacturer Award Australia 2023

• HIGHLY COMMENDED – Business Hunter Sustainability Award 2023

• FINALIST – ACE Awards – Emerging Leader Award 2023

• FINALIST – She Inspires Awards – Women in STEM 2023

• FINALIST – Small Business Champion Awards – 2023

• WINNER – Outstanding Start Up Hunter Manufacturing Awards 2022

• WINNER – Outstanding Start Up Hunter Business Awards 2022

• FINALIST – Small Business Champion Awards 2022

• FINALIST – Outstanding Start Up NSW Business Awards 2022

Through innovation and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of material science, Jess and the Resourceful Living team developed a superior, sustainable material that empowers architects and designers to create projects without compromise.

Resourceful Living have supported the likes of Coca-Cola, the Australian Open and government agencies to incorporate circularity into their operating models and help them reduce their impact.