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?’
How you can help
Find out what you can do locally to reduce waste here
Reduce
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.
Recycle
Find out more about Blue Mountains City Council’s recycling service here: https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/bin-collection-service
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).
Soft plastics can be recycled with Council’s soft plastics recycling trial.
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.
More from around the region
Thank you to all the participants at Planetary Health Day on Saturday and to everyone who tied a ribbon around the Peace Pole and struck the gong for Peace. And particularly to @tinamariepizel for creating the space for this to happen! #peace #peacepole #peacegong #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #notowar #community #love
Feeling the heat? Planetary Health Day will be cool!!!! As well as a program of inspiring speakers, an exhibition of the Frogs of the Blue Mountains and workshops (all in air conditioned comfort!), there will be live music and Plant Based Food stalls on Saturday 1 March. We’ll also have a wide variety of stallholders in our beautiful parkland: Earthrising Mushroom Farm with mushroom grow kits; Michael Trickett with his mobile saw mill; Clifftop Harvest with fresh local produce; Permaculture Matters with info about permaculture, upcoming courses and a chance to win Rowe Morrow’s book: Earth Restorers Guide to Permaculture; Blackheath Community Farm with garlic and seeds; Fire Halo with their bushfire prevention invention that featured on Shark Tank; Katoomba RFS with their fire truck; Vegan NSW with cookbooks; WIRES with information on how to care for our wildlife; Bushcare with how to regenerate our bushland to increase habitat; Blue Mountains Conservation Society and Wildplant Rescue with plants and info; The Repair Network; Boomerang Bags and Lacebrook Stitchery. We’ll also have a Bushcare session on site at 1.30pm and outdoor chess, games and activities for children courtesy of Sarah from Kindlehill School. View the full program and register here (link in profile): bit.ly/42HZ623
#planetaryhealth #katoomba #bluemountains #familyday #planetaryhealthday @clifftopharvest @permaculturematters @kindlehill_school @Lacebrookstitchery
@blue_mts_conservation_society @wildplant.community.nursery @bbagsbluemtns @wireswildliferescue @vegannsw @firehalo.au @earthrisingau
Physicist Hans Coster will be giving a presentation at our Planetary Health Day event this Saturday on Life, Energy and the Biosphere, including what he`s chosen to do at his property Middle Earth with nickel iron batteries. Reserve your place via the link in our profile. #nickelironbatteries #energy #life #biosphere #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #community
So much to see and do on Planetary Health Day this Saturday! The Planetary Health Precinct & Parkland is looking stunning with the first hint of Autumn. Here`s the Speaker Program and Music Schedule to help you plan your visit. There are also workshops, demos, games, stalls, coffee and plant based foods, and a Peace Pole and Peace Gong to remind us that we are all connected and Peace is essential for a healthy planet. You can register for the day here (link in profile): bit.ly/42HZ623
#planetaryhealth #peace #program #katoomba #speakers #bluemountains #community #familyday
Fill this Saturday 1 March (Planetary Health Day) with art, music, food, fun, community and getting lots of boxes ticked: native plants, fresh produce, garlic for planting, and mushroom grow kits purchased; plant based cheese tasted and tips for making it picked up; clothes upcycled and repaired and Repair Network joined; Boomerang Bag made; mobile saw mill, fire halo to reduce ember attack, nickel iron batteries, passive house and natural building, and the best bushfire sprinklers investigated; FrogID app tried and frog calls of the Blue Mountains matched to photos; Bushcare experienced; the knowledge of a leading physicist addressing the question ‘where to from here’ in relation to our biosphere absorbed; and information gathered on how to do a Permaculture Course, how to help our wildlife (WIRES), and how to protect our vulnerable World Heritage area (RFS, Blue Mountains Conservation Society and Blue Mountains Wildplant Rescue Service & Nursery). Thank you to Blue Mountains Folk for this great musical line-up. View our full program and register here (link in profile): bit.ly/42HZ623
#livemusic #planetaryhealth #community #art #freshproduce #permaculture #worldheritage #learn #beinspired #greatfood #nativeplants #nickelironbatteries #firehalo #plantbased #katoomba #bluemountains #planetaryhealthday
On Sunday the @rotary_club_lower_blue_mtns enjoyed a Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre. They had the first glimpse of the Frogs of the Blue Mountains exhibition opening this Saturday 1 March. They also toured the Centre`s Water Demonstration site and thoroughly enjoyed the plant based cheese making demo and tasting. Planetary Health Day will be another great Family Day. Check out the program and register to attend at the link in our profile. #familyday #planetaryhealth #katoomba #bluemountains
Check out this stunning photo by @cam__candy in our Frogs of the Blue Mountains exhibition, opening on Saturday 1 March at Planetary Health Day. Do you know what type of frog it is, or what the other 20 or so known frogs of the Blue Mountains are called? Did you know that the Blue Mountains is home to Whistling, Screaming and Laughing Tree frogs? We’re thrilled that Britt Mitchell from the @australianmuseum will officially launch our exhibition with her presentation on FrogID: People-powered Frog Conservation. She’ll explain how we can all become citizen scientists to help protect these extraordinary amphibians. Britt will also talk about her PhD on the impact of urbanisation and climate change on frogs and how FrogID helped with that research. Come and see what every frog in the Blue Mountains looks like, and listen to their calls.
You can read about our other Planetary Health Day events and reserve your spot for Britt’s presentation here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4gQkju5
#planetaryhealth #frogs #bluemountainsfrogs #planetaryhealthday #citizenscience #frogID #biodiversity #frogcalls
We are in for such a treat on Planetary Health Day next Saturday 1 March! We`ve partnered with Vegan NSW and local providers to showcase the most delicious plant based food. Come for coffee and breakfast, stay for morning tea, invite your friends for a lunch meet-up and then stock up with delicious meals and local produce for the week, including mushroom grow kits to keep you going into the future! Try out the Little hm caravan for coffee, treat yourself to the amazing cakes and pastries from Secret Creek Cafe and Morley`s Recipes, and give your tastebuds a hit with the delicious snacks and meals from Bibi`s Kitchen and the Thai Street Food of Plant Based Eatery! PlantInspired will be doing one of their fabulous plant based cheesemaking demos and tastings, Clifftop Harvest will be sharing fresh local produce, Earthrising Mushroom Farm will be selling Mushroom grow kits and Vegan NSW will have a Vegan Info Hub and Refreshing Lemonade Stall! Don`t forget to let us know you`re coming by registering for the day here (link in profile): bit.ly/42HZ623
@vegannsw @plantbasedeatery @secretcreeklithgow @bibis_kitchen_au @morleysrecipes @earthrisingau @clifftopharvest @little_hm_caravan @plantinspired99 #vegan #plantbased #vegetarian #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthdiet #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains #delicious
Read about the steps to create a green roof in this week`s Planetary Health newsletter (link in profile). Mark Liebman will be speaking about how to manage water to reduce impacts of fire, flood and heatwave at Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1 March at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba ( link in profile) #greenroof #planetaryhealth #viking #longhouse
Dismayed by the global news? Check out our latest inspiring local stories by local people in this week’s Planetary Health newsletter here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/41o7kvf
1. A Green Roof on a Mini Viking Long House in Blackheath
2. Life & Energy, Middle Earth & Nickel Iron Batteries
3. The Next Generation of RFS Volunteers Encourages Others to Join
4. Birds of Australia at the Springwood Hub and the Frogs of the Blue Mountains at Planetary Health Day
5. Plant Based Cooking Classes Inspiring Katoomba Locals, a Plant Based Cheese Demo and Tasting, and a Plant Based Market
Subscribe to get more great local news via any of our news sites.
#greenroof #vikinglonghouse #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #energy #biosphere #volunteer #birdsofaustralia #solutionsmedia #hyperlocalnews #goodnews #frogs #plantbased #vegan #bluemountains #katoomba #springwood #blackheath #lithgow #wentworthfalls
@wentworthfalls_rfb @blue.mountains.theatre @bluemountainscitycouncil @plantinspired99
@australianmuseum
LIVE MUSIC PROGRAM @ PLANETARY HEALTH DAY
A huge thank you to Blue Mountains Folk for organising our live music program for Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1 March. Come and chill with a day of great music, art (photos of frogs of the BM), coffee and an amazing selection of different plant based foods, talks, demonstrations (like the mobile saw mill), workshops (darning and upcycled fashion), stalls with local produce, native plants, mushroom grow kits and more ... even play some ping pong and outdoor chess or do some hands on Bushcare. This photo is of Max Dalkin, from Crime Show, who`ll be playing at 12 noon.
Please SHARE to get your friends along, and book for the day here (link in profile): bit.ly/42HZ623
Performance times:
10am
Ian Tanner and Rob Thompson
10.40am
Skye Evans
11.20am
We Are From Mars (Ant and Andy Mann)
12.00pm
Max Dalkin
12.40pm
Ellie P
1.25pm
Gilberto Nova
#livemusic #bluemountainsfolk #familyday #chill #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains
