Get the lowdown on sneaky plastic waste

Northern Beaches’ War on Waste

We’re shedding light on some of the less obvious plastics that could be lurking in your everyday items.

Find out where these plastics can be found and whether they can be recycled.

Coffee cups – Disposable coffee cups are lined with plastic to stop leakage and to strengthen them, so they cannot be recycled in your yellow–lidded recycling bin.  If you have time, sit down and enjoy coffee out of a real cup. If you are short of time, take your reusable cup or visit one of our many cafes that offer ‘Swap and Go’ coffee cups. Chip packets – These are made of metallised plastic film.  To avoid these ending up in landfill take them to the REDcycle bins at your local supermarket. Check out the comprehensive list of soft plastics they can recycle.  Consider buying a large packet and portion out as needed into a reusable container – way better than lots of little packets! Cigarette butts – A common misconception is that cigarette butts are made solely of cotton. In fact they also contain a form of plastic that stays in the environment.  The National Litter Index * shows cigarette butts are the most-littered item in NSW. Cigarette butts need to be carefully disposed of in a garbage bin after being extinguished. Disposable wipes – Many of these wipes contain hidden plastic, unlike toilet paper.  They should not be added to your recycling bin.  Sydney Water** also recommends that wipes should not be flushed down your toilet.  Not only can they add tons of extra plastic to our sewage system, they can also block drains and sewers and may enter the marine environment. Use a reusable cloth wipe instead. Glitter – The aluminium in glitter is bonded to plastic and because it is so small (under 5mms), it is classed as a microplastic. It therefore bypasses our sewage filters and ends up in our oceans and can be ingested by marine life. Try mica instead – this mineral-based material offers a similar shimmery effect. Biodegradable plastics – Former Chief Scientist at the UN Environment Programme, Jacqueline McGlade, says “biodegradable plastics are not a simple solution.” She points out that they are still plastic and may only break down in temperatures of 50 Celsius.  Best to use reusable bags where you can. Disposable nappies – The plastics in disposable nappies are not so secret.  Yes, we get that new parents have a lot to juggle, but even if you can’t eliminate disposable nappies altogether, try using a reusable nappy whenever you can - our environment will love you for it! Join one of our reusable nappies webinars.

*https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/litter-and-illegal-dumping/epa-work-prevent-litter/reducing-cigarette-butt-litter

**https://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/water-the-environment/what-you-can-do/...