Australian meat trays were recolored because recycling machines couldn’t read them.
The optical sorting method didn’t function on black soft plastics two years ago.
They weren’t sent through to be recycled into plant pots.
Automated equipment may grab transparent packaging.
Kyle O’Farrell, director of Blue Environment, said the new appearance has a clear objective.
‘They adjusted the colour so [meat trays] are also sortable,’ he added, adding that improving the design was difficult.
Most significant firms have switched from PVC to polypropylene (PP), a hydrogen-carbon material.
PVC includes chlorine, a hazardous chemical when burnt.
National Garbage reported that the country generated 2.5 million metric tonnes of plastic waste in 2018-19.
Mr. O’Farrell said non-packaging plastics used in vehicles, garments, and electronics had a 7% recycling rate.
10,000 tonnes of garbage, he claimed.
‘It has a bad recycling rate and a larger amount,’ he added.
The epidemic increased plastic trash nationwide.
Monash University Retail report: clothing, footwear, and accessories are the most popular.
APCO spokeswoman: ‘Understandably, the pandemic has led to more internet shopping and more packaging for customers to dispose of at home.’
Soft plastic recycling is a problem since it’s not collected in kerbside bins.
Soft plastic waste in REDcycle bins outside Coles and Woolworths doubled in 2020-21.
REDcycle-acceptable items
REDcycle makes it easier for customers to recycle’soft’ plastic bags and food packaging.
Biscuits (outer wrapper only)
baguettes (without the tie)
Foil (large sheets cut into A3 size pieces)
Pet food pouches (as clean and dry as possible)
Flower cellophane (cut into A3 size pieces)
CEREAL BOX LINERS
Snacks (silver lined)
Wrappers for chocolate and snacks
GLAD, COLES HOME, and WOOLWORTHS Essentials Home ONLY
Sweets bags
Folders (remove the white reinforcement strip along the holes)
Pet food bags
Fruit bags
Ice packs
Greenbags (woven polypropylene bags)
Candy wraps
Furniture-wrapping plastic sheets (cut into A3 size pieces)
Meat-packaged plastic (rinse and dry first)
Produce netting (any metal clips removed)
Newspaper/magazine wrap
Bagged pasta
Plastic and weaved polypropylene chaff/horse/chicken food bags (but not woven nylon). Cut into A3 pieces and brush off excess product.
Australia Post bags
Plastic bag ban
Nappy and toilet paper plastic wrap
Pouches
Plastic and weaved polypropylene compost bags (cut into A3 size pieces and free of as much product as possible)
Plastic, weaved rice sacks (if large, cut into A3 size pieces)
Ziplock/snaplock bags
Squeeze lidded pouches (yogurt/baby food).
Clear plastic wine/water bladders
Please use dry, empty plastic.
Redcycling.org