Plastic fantastic as recycling scheme returns

PAULA HULBURT

Soft plastic recycling is returning to the region – with local waste set to be given a new lease of life as fence posts.

Five years after the initiative had to be scrapped, the Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme (SPRS) is back, with bins already up in collection points across Blenheim.

The move means plastics such as bread bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrappers of products such as biscuits and chips can all be recycled.

All the soft plastic in the region will be collected and baled by JBL Environmental, and processed locally at Future Post’s new Blenheim plant, which is due to open later this month.

The Packaging Forum (operator of the Soft Plastic Recycling SchemeSPRS) CEO Rob Langford says that after five years away, it is an exciting move.

“We have been working on restarting collections in the region for some time, and the upcoming opening of Future Post’s new plant has helped this happen.

“Future Post expanding into the South Island has meant an increase in its production capabilities, and therefore we have been able to add more collection points.”