Tips on reducing your soft plastics
As part of our Open Sauce project, our team have been delving into the waste streams of our organisations, and researching and testing ways to reduce waste in your business and at home. The recent suspension of some soft plastic recycling schemes has left people wondering how they can possibly avoid soft plastics in the first place. Fortunately there are a number of services, both new and established, that are all about zero waste that we've been giving a go.
If you're looking for some inspiration, here are a few we can recommend:
Melbourne-based Returnr Marketplace (@rtnrmarketplace on Instagram) is an online platform that provides a circular system where you can order groceries and then return the containers you use from your doorstep, while The Hub Bulk and Bare in Fairfield encourages reusable containers (@thehubbulkandbare on Instagram).
Get your milk in reusable glass bottles, such as Schultz milk at The Source Bulk foods along with lots of other bulk products from pantry items to sweet treats and cleaning products, find your closest store on their website. You can also buy Schultz milk directly from their stall at Melbourne Farmers Markets’ Alphington Farmers Market on Sundays, and using CERES fair food deliveries, which also has dairy alternatives in glass containers.
Why not bring your own containers to markets like Alphington or Carlton Farmers Market? Reusable bread and produce bags, as well as reusable shopping bags are great for this.
If you live in inner north Melbourne, check out Roving Refills for laundry and household detergents, powders and liquids (@rovingrefillsinnernorth on Instagram).
For a circular wine system, check out Glou wine dispensary in Collingwood or Rewine at three locations including at the Queen Victoria Market.
Finally, for dine-in options check out recently opened zero waste cafe, Cassette in Kensington (@cassette.kensington on Instagram) or Into Coffee in Collingwood (@intocoffee.co on Instagram).
Bonus tip for businesses:
Fellow social enterprise Reground are a dedicated soft plastics collection and recycling service who operate in Melbourne, learn more on their website.
