What is REDcycle and how does Get Packed support it?

589

RED Group is a Melbourne based Australian consulting and recycling organisation who has developed and implemented the REDcycle Programe which is a recovery initiative for post consumer soft plastics. For most of us consumers it means that any soft plastics we have, such as plastic shopping bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, lolly bags and more, that we can't put into our Council kerbside recycle bins are able to be put into REDcycle bins which are located in Coles and Woolworth stores across the nation. REDcycle, with their partners, will recycle the plastic into new products.

So what happens then?
REDcycle have partnered with a number of companies to recycle this plastic waste and turn it into things like benches, decking, signage and much more.

So how does Get Packed support REDcycle?
We supply a number of products that can be recycled into the REDcycle bins.
It is important to note that ANY plastic product that is degradable or biodegradable CANNOT be put into REDcycle bins. Why? Because these products have been manufactured with additives that cause them to break down. This means they break down even before the recycling process can begin, making them no good for recycling.

If you want to do your bit for the environment the please consider the following products that can all be put into REDcycle bins:

• Bubble Wrap - must be cut into sizes no larger than A3 otherwise they become too bulky
• EnviroTherm Thermal Carton Liners - used in cold chain packaging - which is also made from 20% recycled content
• EnviroTherm Metalized Polyester Bubble Wrap -  used in cold chain packaging
• Black Armour Padded Mailer Bags - Opaque black bubble mailer bags with a peel and seal tab - made from up to 15% recycled content
• White Armour Padded Mailer Bags - 20% increase in opacity from traditional bubble padded mailers with peel and seal tab - also made from up to 15% recycled content
• Vacuum Pouches & Bags - used in vacuum sealing food
• Stand Up Pouches - used to prolong the shelf life of food products
• Any of our pallet wrap - None of which are degradable, although some have been manufactured to enable less plastic for the same outcome so are still ok to place in REDcycle bins
• Any of our shrink films - None of which are degradable, although some have been manufactured so that less plastic is required for the same outcome.
• Any of our plastic bags - except Cello Bags, which are degradable.

NOTE - any recycling efforts using REDcycle bins are for small quantities only. They cannot acccept large volumes of soft plastics as bulk business drop offs would overwhelm their system and could jeopardise their programme. We suggest you contact companies like Veolia who support businesses with soft plastic collection and recycling.