It’s turning into a bumper year for recycling
Close to 30,000 small businesses across NSW are reducing their trash to save cash and their time, all the while helping to save the environment.
The highly successful NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) recycling support program Bin Trim is closing in on a major milestone, with almost 30,000 NSW businesses supported to cut waste out of landfill.
One business discovered car bumper bars heading for landfill could have a new life, recycled into chairs and milk bottles.
EPA Director Circular Economy Programs Kathy Giunta said Bin Trim had continued to attract small businesses wanting to save their bottom line along with the environment, as they recovered from COVID-19 restrictions.
“Since 2014, we have provided support to more than 29,000 business to help them make better use of their waste rather than just sending it to landfill.
“In Queanbeyan, Bin Trim assessor Southern Region Business Enterprise Centre (SRBEC) found approximately 140 car bumpers going into landfill each week from a local bullbar installer.
“Bumper bars are easily recycled plastic items and with the support of a Bin Trim assessment and rebate, SRBEC is now helping the installer find equipment to make it more cost-effective to transport the plastic for recycling,” Ms Giunta said.
“They can be recycled into a product which can be used to manufacture items as diverse as milk bottles, chairs and even bollards.
“Bin Trim assessors are continuing to work in the field, COVID safe, to help small and medium businesses rethink their waste management to save money, time and the environment.
“Bin Trim is a free service. Assessors visit the workplace and advise on how to recycle items ranging from cardboard and paper to plastic and metals, into new, useful items.”
In the Queanbeyan area, Bin Trim assessors have helped more than 207 local businesses since 2014.
In the Tweed area, another enterprise, Shiny Brew, part of NEWaste’s Circular Cafes project, has not only purchased reusable cups but also started converting used tetra paks into cup trays for customer use.
In the Tweed Shire Council area, Bin Trim has supported more than 717 projects since 2014.
“NSW businesses send more than 1.8 million tonnes of waste to landfill each year. More than 70% of this could be reused or recycled. Reducing waste sent to landfill has environmental and economic benefits for everyone,” Ms Giunta said.
For details of Bin Trim, including how to apply for a free assessment, see here: epa.nsw.gov.au/Bintrim or call 131 555 and ask for Waste and Resource Recovery or email bintrim.rebates@epa.nsw.gov.au.