Daniela Montero beside her Lids4kids recycling drop off box in Winmalee. (Photo: Gabiann Marin)
Story by Gabiann Marin
Micro-recycling options are accessible and feasible for anyone, offering profound and important opportunities for us all to be part of creating a more sustainable and less wasteful world.
Key Points:
Micro-recycling can save tonnes of plastic waste from landfill, and from ending up in our oceans.
Small, volunteer-run schemes can provide real solutions to the world’s plastic problems
‘I do this for my kids,’ Daniela Montero smiles down at her youngest: a cherub-faced baby who watches everything with gleeful brown eyes.
Daniela herself is a tiny dynamo with an energetic vibe. Her smile is dazzling, her whole face lighting up with joy as she talks about her decision to start micro-recycling. The term micro-recycling is used for small volunteer schemes which collect and recycle plastics often left out of traditional council recycling schemes, but which can be re-used and recycled in a variety of clever ways.
Daniela has always believed in doing her bit for the environment. When she was younger, she was an active tree planter, and, along with her husband, believes in living by the words reduce, reuse and recycle. After having children she began looking for other tangible ways that she could do something to help the world.
‘My husband has had many jobs, and one of them was in landfill, and he came and showed us [the plastics]. It was there for so many, many years and it is still there. It never breaks down, so it is something that is a problem.’
Being a keen recycler, Daniela was surprised that so much plastic was still ending up in landfill despite the council recycling service. The reason for this is because there are many recyclable plastics that are not currently included in council recycling programs. The most well-known of these is soft plastics like shopping bags and food wrap. Thankfully, Blue Mountains City Council has introduced a soft plastic recycling trial which will run until June 2024 to tackle this problem.
Small plastic items are another major issue. Most people don’t realise that plastic items smaller than a credit card are not included in the suburban recycling services offered by local councils. This includes things like loose bottle lids and bread tags. These items are too small to be accurately sorted at most Materials Recycling Facilities (MRFs) and end up in landfill or in our oceans.
Plastic pollution is a major problem for the world’s oceans and their inhabitants (Photo: 5 Gyres Institute)
Thinking about this, Daniela wondered if there was something she could be doing to help reduce this waste.
‘I started doing some research and heard about this scheme where you could collect bread tags, which would then be recycled and money from this used to buy wheelchairs for people in South Africa.’ The circular nature of this appealed to Daniela, who quickly began collecting.
The charity Bread Tags for Wheelchairs started as a simple idea by Mary Honeybun, a retired South African nurse in 2006, and by 2019 the idea was international, with collection points set up around Australia. Part of the appeal was that this is something that can be done by anyone, anywhere.
Over 11 tonnes of plastic bread tags have been collected and recycled throughout Australia. (Photo courtesy of Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs)
These tiny plastic tags, used by companies to secure the bread wrapping, seem inconsequential, yet through the Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs program nearly 11 tonnes of plastic have been saved from landfill in Australia alone.
The charity gives the tags to recycling company Transmutation, which makes a monetary donation for each kg received. This is then used to fund the purchase of wheelchairs for children and adults in need throughout South Africa and Papua New Guinea. It’s a great success story of businesses and charities working together to grow each other’s success and create social good, and has resulted in 85 specialised wheelchairs being purchased since 2019.
‘I thought this was amazing,’ Daniela recalls, ‘instead of going to landfill, where it would stay forever, it can give a second life.’
Anushca, a 12-year-old from South Africa, who suffers from a rare brain condition, has had her quality of life improved with the specialised wheelchair paid for by the donated funds.
12-year-old Anushca is one of many children who now have specialised mobility aids thanks to Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs (Photo: Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs)
Daniela signed up in 2020 and was soon a collector, helping to contribute to the 250kgs of bread tags recycled in Australia per month.
‘But then I thought, I want to do more, how much can I push this?’
Daniela continued her research and discovered an Australian charity called Lids4Kids. It was very similar to the bread tags scheme, only it focussed on bottle tops.
Lids4Kids collects lids from all around Australia for processing into recycled plastic products. (Photo courtesy Lid4Kids)
Tim Miller, the founder of Lids4Kids, himself a full-time dad to three children, had a similar response to Daniela when he learned about the problem of recycling bottle lids. He felt there had to be a way to repurpose this plastic.
In 2019 he started a small recycling scheme from his living room in Canberra. Partnering first with Victorian plastic recycling company Envision and more recently with Precious Plastics Melbourne, he made it his mission to keep thousands of plastic bottle lids out of landfill, and out of our oceans.
From such humble beginnings the scheme has grown organically through social media into a national program that provides collection and drop off points for plastic lids in every state and territory of Australia. Its success is a testament to how, from small things, big things grow, as hundreds of collection volunteers like Daniela are able to help reduce the huge impact that small plastic pollution is having on the world’s wildlife and ecosystems.
Recent studies released by World Wide Fund for Nature have estimated that 88% of the world’s marine life is impacted by plastic waste. Turtles and seabirds are some of the worst affected with an estimated 97% of seabirds having ingested some plastic during their lifetime. Small plastic items like bottle lids can be especially dangerous, as they can block airways or get caught in intestinal tracts leading to slow and painful deaths for affected animals. So much of this can be avoided if we simply remove the plastics from the equation.
Daniela hugs her small child closer and smiles. ‘You know what, [I thought] I can do that, all I have to do is just save the lids in my garage and then have them picked up.’
At first Daniela began by saving her own bottle tops, but soon she realised she could become a collection point for others, multiplying the number of lids collected in the Lower Mountains. Currently she collects around 1.5 kgs of lids every month, which are recycled as rainbow benches and play equipment for schools.
Winmalee Public School hosts a Lids4Kids drop off point to heighten education and understanding about sustainability.
Daniela approached the Principal of Winmalee Public School, Kate Ford, and suggested a collection point at the school where students, staff and parents could deposit their lids, encouraging the whole school community to get involved.
‘We thought it was a great idea,’ Kate Ford recalls. ‘We got involved because it was all about sustainability. And a way that the kids could see just how much plastic they consume.’
Emma Holliday, current CEO of Lids4kids reveals that over 110 million lids have been recycled in the scheme in the last four years, and the numbers continue to grow.
Micro-recycling like Lids4kids and Bread Tags for Wheelchairs prevents tonnes of plastic waste ending up in landfill. (Photo courtesy Lids4Kids)
‘I am amazed by how people have embraced this,’ Emma says, commenting on the hundreds of people who volunteer their time to collect and deliver these bottle tops to the base in Canberra. Daniela agrees it is amazing, but not surprising, because she knows what motivates those who dedicate their time and effort towards these small acts of recycling.
‘This is the world I am leaving my kids,’ she says, ‘I want the best for them. So, I am always asking, what more can I do? Can I do a bit more?’
The best way to reduce plastic pollution is to reduce plastic use, so avoid plastic packaging and cheap plastic products.
Buying items from co-ops using reusable containers, choosing fabric or paper packaged products and grocery shopping at grower’s markets rather than supermarkets are also great ways to help solve the world’s plastic pollution problem.
Re-use
Re-using plastic products before recycling or disposal will extend their life and ensure less ends up in landfill or in our oceans. Almost Zero Waste has some great ideas to re-purpose a range of everyday plastic items.
Most plastic packaging is safe to re-use after washing, although it is recommended that you do not re-use any plastics which are numbered #1, #3, #6 or #7 for food storage.
The following can go into your yellow recycling bin: empty and RIGID plastic household containers from the kitchen, bathroom and laundry, such as single use plastic bottles, sushi and sandwich containers, take away containers, hard plastic meat trays, yoghurt and dip tubs, berry punnets and biscuit trays (not wrappers).
If you would like to start collecting and recycling your bottle tops simply ensure the caps are washed and dried and any inserts removed. Drop the lids either in the donation point at Winmalee Public School or contact Lids4Kids to organise a drop off. Only plastic lids with the numbers 2 or 4 are recyclable through the Lids4kids scheme so make sure you check the number before donating.
To get information about how to collect and deposit bread tags go to Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs. They are particularly involved with schools, so if you would like to get your school involved, Jenny from Bread tags for Wheelchairs is happy to send out an education pack upon request. Contact them here.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
We’re thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for Ferment the Season with Holly Davis at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Saturday 18th October at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Holly will demonstrate how to ferment the season to create more nutrient rich and digestible food. She is the co-founder of Sydney’s Iku Wholefoods and author of ‘Ferment - A Guide to the Ancient Art of Culturing Food’ and ’Nourish: Sustenance for Body and Soul”. Learn the foundational principles and several techniques for fermenting seasonally abundant produce. Fermentation increases nutrition and eating a little ferment with every meal has unlimited benefits for our overall wellbeing and the planet! Places are limited so book early here (Food Security Fair link in profile for tickets): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Thank you to everyone who so generously contributed to our celebration of the centenary of World Animal Day, and our tribute to the life of artist, poet, author, Animal Liberation founder, and animal rights activist, Christine Townend, at the Planetary Health Centre yesterday. At a packed event we feasted on delicious plant-based food, inspiring art and poetry, and memorable conversations, as we shared our love and respect for the extraordinary world of animals of which we are a part. Join us for further celebrations at our Food Security Fair on Saturday 18 October. Register here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
We`re thrilled to announce that tickets are now on sale for our inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Saturday 18 October! Register here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
The day will include stalls, talks and demos about growing, sourcing, cooking, preserving and enjoying plant based food and protecting habitat for wildlife.
Our fabulous line up of speakers and workshop tutors includes Dr Milena Bojovic on the Future of Food; Holly Davis, co-founder of Iku and author of `Ferment`; Michael from Good Fat Pastry; Nev Sweeney from Under the Choko Tree on how to build a Solar Powered Food Dehydrator; Lloyd Sharp from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers; Marnee Fox from Forage to Feast; Teya Brooks Pribac from Plant Inspired; and Erin Hall on Weaving with Weeds. Stalls will include EarthRising Mushroom Farm, edible native plants, the Planetary Health Cafe and more. Each session needs to be booked individually as numbers are strictly limited.
This event is being supported by a sEEd grant from the Australian Association for Environmental Education.
This Saturday 4 Oct, on the centenary of World Animal Day, you can meet other people passionate about protecting our wild neighbours, and contribute to restoring habitat for wildlife with them, by coming along and joining our dedicated team of Planetary Health Bushcarers as we regenerate the bushland at the Planetary Health Precinct. Learn more and register to attend (1.30pm) here: (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-bushcare-spring-summer-2025
Woohoo! We are so thrilled. Katoomba poet David Brooks has just won the Prime Minister`s Literary Award for Poetry with his book "The Other Side of Daylight: New and Selected Poems". Come and celebrate with us this coming Saturday night when he`ll read from his work for a World Animal Day celebration at the Planetary Health Centre. Bookings here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/world-animal-day-raising-the-bar-for-nature
(apologies for dodgy screenshots ... we`ve been watching the awards streaming on YouTube tonight)
Join us next Sat 4th Oct to celebrate the exciting news that Katoomba writer David Brooks has been shortlisted for the Australian Prime Minister`s Literary Awards for his book of poetry: "The Other Side of Daylight: New and Selected Poems". It will be a night of art, poetry and delicious food as we also celebrate the centenary of World Animal Day, with David reading from his work alongside local poet Louise Wakeling, a tribute to artist, poet and founder of Animal Liberation, Christine Townend, and an Open Mic for poetry about the extraordinary species we share our world with. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/world-animal-day-raising-the-bar-for-nature
With each extreme weather event more hazardous materials enter our environment and impact human and planetary health, which is why, for 2025, we’re bringing together the Australian Bushfire Building Conference and the Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Conference in Katoomba on 20-22 Nov, to address how we can all work together, from design to disposal, to both reduce disaster risk and the risk of hazardous materials. We urgently need to design, build and live differently, as well as better manage those hazardous materials that are already impacting our health and the health of our frontline emergency staff and volunteers.
At Full Cycle 2025 we’re bringing together leading experts to address how we can do this.
We`re thrilled to announce that Shane McArdle, Head of International Projects for the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI) in Sydney, will present on local and global actions for eliminating asbestos and dust-related diseases. Shane has spent almost 10 years at the Australian Government Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) overseeing awareness raising and international strategies to prevent exposure to asbestos and to eliminate asbestos-related diseases.
Early bird registrations for the conference close on 7 October. You can learn more and register here (link in profile): www.fullcycleconference.com.au
The last six years have seen catastrophic and unprecedented wildfires in Australia and California. At the Full Cycle Conference on 20-22 Nov, A/Prof Owen Price will share his research which compares the patterns of housing loss in the NSW and Californian wildfires. With every fire, more hazardous materials are dispersed through the environment.
Owen has spent the past 18 years analysing empirical evidence of the effectiveness of bushfire mitigation strategies. This has included examining the effectiveness of prescribed burning, the drivers of fire spread and severity, fire suppression and house loss. He has published ~140 research papers and he is the Director of The Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires (CERMB) at the University of Wollongong. Owen is one of many leading speakers who will be joining us at Full Cycle 2025 to explore how we can reduce disaster risk and hazardous materials in a changing climate. Early Bird Registrations close on 7 October. Visit the website to learn more and register here (link in profile):
Keynote speaker Julian Cribb AM announced as anticipation builds for the inaugural Full Cycle 2025 Conference which will address some of the most critical issues of our time, and what we can do about them. Julian Cribb will speak on how we can cleanse our polluted planet and tackle the existential megathreats of the 21st century as he sets the context for the two day conference and community expo that`s a collaboration between the Australian Bushfire Building Conference, the Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Conference and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative.
Co-founder of the Council for the Human Future, he has written over 9000 articles and 12 books, including How to Fix a Broken Planet, Earth Detox, Poisoned Planet, Surviving the 21st Century, The Coming Famine and Food or War. He will outline how climate change and the toxic tsunami of hazardous substances engulfing the world are two of ten megathreats that need to be addressed together and at the same time, urgently, and he’ll propose a plan for doing this.
Early Bird registrations close on Tuesday 7 October and there is still time to make a submission to be part of this seminal event. Read more about the conference and register here (link in profile): www.fullcycleconference.com.au
We had a fabulous dinner meeting last night to launch Rotarians 4 Planetary Health. It was exciting to bring together so much expertise and care for our community and the health of our planet! Initially we`ll be meeting fortnightly on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 6pm. If you`d like to join us register for the next meeting on Monday 13 October here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-rotarians-4-planetary-health
For tonight’s first meeting of Rotarians 4 Planetary Health we’re cooking up a hearty minestrone with freshly harvested veggies from the Planetary Health Garden and Blackheath Community Farm. Come along to the meeting tonight if you’d like get involved in growing food security for the Mountains, and SAVE THE DATE for our inaugural Food Security Fair on Saturday 18 October. Contact us if you’d like to be part of the Fair. If you’d like to come along to learn more about Rotarians 4 Planetary Health, register here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/rotarians-4-planetary-health
Gabiann has worked as in-house writer/editor for Amnesty International, Greenpeace and Médecins Sans Frontières across Australia, Africa and the Asia Pacific. She is an award winning novelist and children’s book author, having won or been shortlisted for several Australian and international writing prizes. She was one of the key designers and the writer of the award-winning multimedia interactive narrative, Kids Together Now, which focuses on helping children deal with issues around bullying and racism.
In addition to her role as storyteller for the Planetary Health Initiative, she tutors in narrative and writing at Macquarie University and works as a writer, story developer and script producer.
Springwood resident Phillip Birtles believes that there is an essential connection between people and water. Through his work at Sydney Water, he taps into that connection, strengthening it and contributing to healthier, happier communities while simultaneously improving waterway health.
Enjoying this site? Please help spread the word :)
Support the Future of Solutions-Focused Neighbourhood News
