FREE festive recycling drop-offs are back, and 2024 will see soft plastics accepted alongside the usual cardboard and household recycling.

The addition of soft plastics is part of a wider collection program being coordinated by Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation (ISJO) on behalf of member councils Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and Wollongong.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said the free ‘drop-offs’ would help residents do the right thing with extra recyclables over the break.

“There’s no secret, Santa and the festive season tend to result in an escalation of waste. This can mean the yellow-lid recycling bins fill up fast, even when you separate drink containers to Return and Earn,” Cr Brown said.

“That’s why council is doing a ‘reverse Santa’ and accepting those extra household recyclables, cardboard, and now soft plastics, free-of-charge at drop-offs throughout the city.

“We’re accepting plastics that can easily be scrunched into a ball. That means things like plastic bags, snack and chip packets, pasta, bread and rice bags, cling and bubble wrap, mail sachets and courier bags, and pet food bags.

Cr Brown explained soft plastic recycling was a key theme raised by the community during a recent waste strategy engagement.

“Residents have been asking for an avenue to recycle their soft plastics since the REDcycle program ended. That message has been received loud and clear,” she said.

“Wollongong City Council is committed to working alongside our residents to reduce waste to landfill and create a cleaner and greener future for Wollongong.”

ISJO Sustainability and Waste Manager Yvette Barrs said the soft plastics will be baled and transported to iQRenew in Taree. There they will be recycled for a diverse range of items, including construction and agricultural products.

“We ask residents to only bring soft plastic packaging that is clean, empty, and dry to the collection points. This will help to maintain the quality of the recyclable material and streamline the recycling process.

“While this initiative serves as a temporary regional solution, an industry-led national program is not far off, with trials having commenced. These events will provide a valuable outlet for residents to have their soft plastics collected for recycling during the busy holiday season.”

Drop-off dates and locations:

• 27 December – Fred Finch Park, Berkeley

• 28 December – Rex Jackson Oval, Helensburgh

• 30 December – Ziems Park, Corrimal

Each drop-off event will be open between 7.30am and 12pm. They are typically busiest at the beginning of the session so consider waiting an hour or two to give the queues a miss.

For additional ISJO soft plastic drop-offs, see Soft Plastic recycling events near you – ISJO

If you can’t make the drop-off dates, it’s free to bring household recycling and cardboard (not soft plastics) to the Community Recycling Centre during opening hours. It also accepts problem waste like aerosols, paint, oil, most types of e-waste, and whitegoods that are mostly metal. A small fee applies to recycle fridges, freezers and air conditioners.

The Community Recycling Centre is open every day except Christmas Day.

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