For the first time in Australia, cigarette butts will be able to be recycled to become industrial plastic products, including shipping pallets, railway sleepers and even ashtrays.
Australia this week became the ninth country to join the cigarette butt recycling scheme, where collected butts can be posted to the recycler free of charge.
Using technology developed in the United States, the butts are pulled apart to separate the organic matter such as ash, tobacco and paper from the filter.
The organic materials go through an industrial composting process to become fertiliser for use on non-agricultural land such as golf courses.
The filter is melted down and mixed with other plastics.
It can then be used to make a range of industrial products.
Tom Szaky, chief executive of the US waste collection organisation, TerraCycle said it took about 2000 cigarettes to produce one kilogram of plastic.
To post collected cigarette butts, anyone over 18 can download a free Australia Post address label from the TerraCycle website.
TerraCycle, an innovative global recycling company, recently officially launch into Australia.
TerraCycle has kept more than 2.6 billion pieces of waste from landfills around the world through innovative recycling programs called “Brigades®”.
This is the first time TerraCycle’s recycling system, which already operates in 23 countries including the US, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand will be available in Australia.
In Australia TerraCycle has partnered with major brands Colgate and Natures Organics to recycle “unrecyclable” post-consumer waste, and with Nespresso to expand its recycling program.
Australians can now send in their previously difficult-to-recycle waste to TerraCycle to be recycled into sustainable consumer products and materials.
“This is just the beginning and a big step for recycling in Australia. We’re thrilled to be bringing our innovative recycling model to Australia with our consumer product brand partners to recycle previously “unrecyclable” and “difficult to recycle” waste, creating a better end of life solutions for the waste.
“Our recycling Brigades® engage the community around resource conservation and sustainability, and allow collectors to raise money for their local school or favourite charity.” said TerraCycle Australia, General Manager, Anna Minns.
Visit http://www.terracycle.com.au to learn more about TerraCycle or to sign up to a Brigade.
