Positive pathways for soft plastics: recent developments and opportunities for the Illawarra

Circular Plastics Illawarra was formed in response to community concerns about the lack of recycling opportunities for soft plastics after the REDcycle program collapsed in late 2022. Much has happened since that time, with positive initiatives from government, food and beverage manufacturers and recyclers. 

This free event will provide an opportunity for community members and organisations in the Illawarra to learn about these developments and to focus on what we can do locally to support and benefit from them.

You will learn about:

• Future regulation of single use plastics in NSW: your chance to have a say
• Recycling household soft plastics by Close the Loop including from the existing stockpile
• Results from kerbside collection trials for soft plastics by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC)
• A trial soft plastics collection in Wingecarribee Shire
• Other local and national initiatives

Panellists will include:

• Steve Morriss, Founder and Head of Circular Economy, Close the Loop Australia
• Emma Wishart, Senior Policy Officer, Circular Economy Branch, NSW EPA
• Alyssa Vilar, Waste Education Project and Policy Officer, Wingecarribee Shire Council
  
• Helen Millicer, Consultant, National Plastics Recycling Scheme, AFGC