Griffith City Council is urging the community to consider ways to avoid or reduce consumption of soft plastics and ensure they are carefully disposed of.

Waste audits and recycling bin inspections undertaken in Griffith consistently show that soft plastics are the most common type of contamination found in yellow-lidded kerbside recycling bins. Contamination refers to materials that cannot be recycled.

Council’s Waste Operations Manager, John Roser said, it’s important that soft plastics do not end up in your kerbside recycling bin.

“Recyclable materials from the yellow lid bins are sent for sorting and processing at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Soft plastics get caught in machinery at the MRF, causing delays, placing waste workers at risk, and increasing processing costs that eventually come back to you,” he said.

“Please do not use a plastic bag liner for your recycling bin, and make sure all your recyclable materials are placed loose in the recycling bin and not in any bags.

“Unfortunately, there is not a specialised soft plastic collection service currently available, so the only disposal option for soft plastics is the red lidded general waste bin destined for landfill.”

The best way to address the soft plastics issue is to avoid soft plastic use wherever possible and consider alternatives. Residents are urged to consider using reusable shopping bags, bulk-buying to reduce packaging and choosing items with recyclable packaging. Swap cling wrap for containers and try cotton or mesh bags for fruit and vegetables.

There is no doubt that plastic has transformed the way we live, offering convenience and durability in everyday packaging and products. But the very qualities that make plastic so useful also contribute to a growing waste challenge, especially when it comes to soft plastics.

New South Wales produces around 800,000 tonnes of plastic each year, yet only 10% is recycled. Soft plastics, like bread bags, chip packets and cling wrap are particularly problematic. They’re lightweight, easily blown into the environment and break down into microplastics that threaten our waterways, wildlife and even human health.

To assist Council and the community, waste educators from Envirocom will be in Griffith next week, hosting Waste and Recycling Pop Up Information Stalls around the city.

Where you can find them:

• Griffith Central - Thursday 19 June 2025 - 9am - 3pm
• Griffin Plaza - Friday 20 June 2025 - 9am - 3pm
• Griffith Central Markets - Saturday 21 June - 8am -12 noon
• Griffith Rotary Markets - Sunday 22 June - 8am - 12 noon