PLASTIC SMART PROGRAM A BIG HIT WITH VICTORIAN HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY

By Matt Ross

The problem with plastic is that it is all lumped together into one category that comes with a negative reputation.

But what if the story wasn’t like that? Most of the bad press is simply what the mainstream media has used to push a narrative that is ill-informed, and agenda based. Plastic is not simply going to disappear, but it can definitely be managed correctly.

Not all plastics are equal. They are not all the same and they should be treated differently. A supermarket bag is very different to a tag or a plant pot.

We can reduce the waste sent to landfill. We can stop importing more bio-products and actually use what we already have at our disposal. In treating plastic as generic, we are wasting opportunities. We need to treat it by code.

The fact is plastics already exist. They are part of our everyday lives. We have spent energy making them and turning them into household items. How we dispose of them in order to reuse them is the real issue.

It makes perfect sense to take something that already exists and turn it into a product so it can be used again, and again, and again. And that really is our ultimate goal. To create Australian made, Australian bought and Australian consumed closed-loop packaging.

What if there was a group of people and companies that are already doing the right thing? Who are trying to improve the way that we use plastic and how we recycle it. Who can actually take waste and turn it back into a usable product again.

Garden City Plastics, Norwood, Polymer Processors, Astron and the Australian Packaging Convent Organisation have banded together with the Australian horticulture industry to ‘Be Plastic Smart’.

“We are driven by the knowledge that every kilogram of plastic recycled is contributing to reducing waste that may otherwise go to landfill, end up in the oceans, or littering our environment. We have teamed up with other businesses who are equally passionate about recycling as we are,” said John Wilson, Polymer Processors.

‘Plastic Smart’ means recycling the polypropylene products already in existence into something functional and beneficial.

The horticulture industry has been doing this for decades and has an appetite to do even more.

Did you know that Greenlife Industries, Australia wide, are today already keeping over 10 million kilograms of PP5 out of landfill through recycling? Pots, stakes and tags are all PP5.

“In Australia, plant pots and labels are predominantly made from PP5 plastic; a plastic that is clean and non-toxic and can be recycled over and over again. However, currently only eight per cent of PP5 that is found in plant pots and labels is getting recycled; out of the 15,000 tonnes that is manufactured each year.

For every ten plants purchased in Australia, one pot is recycled. And it doesn’t have to be that way; it’s time to close the loop,” said Adam Coyle, Creative Manager at Norwood Industries.

All that is required is some awareness, co-operation and personal responsibility to be taken by all of us as consumers to ‘do the right thing’.

The ‘Plastic Smart’ program begins with simple solutions. The biggest issue facing recyclers is sorting. But if all the PP5 goes in the same bin we have instantly removed the biggest hurdle.

In order to achieve closed-loop recycling of PP5 in Australian horticulture, our goal is to place collection bins in garden centres and commercial grower sites, across the country. We hope to have a national program in place to collect, recycle and reuse all of the PP5 in circulation.

We currently have almost 350 PP5 recycling bins across Australia, at retail garden centres to benefit the consumer, and commercial growing sites for industry use. Once the bins are full Garden City Plastics collect them, empty them, and return them; without charge.

“Botanix are working with an active company, in Garden City Plastics, who are aiming to Close the Loop on PP5 plastic, which is terrific. As the plant pot is an integral part of our production process, a recycling program gives us a sustainability footprint in this area and also allows us to promote this to our customers.” Enthused Carl Soderlund, Director at Botanix Plant Supply, who are hosting a number of the recycling bins.

The program is proving to be a big hit with industry and consumers alike. And as the demand grows, so to does the number of collection points and bins.

“Plantmark is proud to be involved in the Plastic PP5 Pot collection system with Garden City Plastics. The new initiative has been well supported by our trade customers, including the wholesale and retail nurseries, landscapers and councils. It provides a much-needed avenue for our industry to be smarter about sustainability.” Said Simon Lindsay, General Manager, Plantmark.

And whilst Garden City Plastics, Norwood and Polymer Processors, are driving the program, they’re quick to point out that they couldn’t achieve any of this without the support of the industry.

“The bins have been so well received, there’s been so much support for the program from industry. It really goes to show that horticulture is a sector that cares and wants to make a real difference. In Victoria we collected 4.5 tonnes of PP5 in May, by August we’re over double that. That’s an awful lot of plastic that’s being diverted from landfill and best of all it’s being recycled back into plant pots to fill with beautiful plantlife.” Said Greg Carrick, Sales Manager Victoria and Tasmania, Garden City Plastics.

Garden City Plastics, Norwood, Polymer Processors are all excited by the opportunity to take more responsibility for what we do. To be a part of this great initiative and to exceed Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets. To work side by side together on something as organisations. Not because it is good business. But because it is the right thing to do. For you, for us and for the prevention of unnecessary landfill.

If you’re an NGI member business, retailer or grower, and you’d like to find out how you can get involved in the program, email your state Garden City Plastics office, check the Sustainability section on the GCP website or go to PP5.com.au.