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Waste Diversion Solutions

Food Packaging & Coffee Cup Recycling

Shred-X is successfully challenging preconceptions of what can be put in the recycling bin, and now offers a range of solutions diverting waste destined for landfill. These solutions include saveBOARD, disposable coffee cup & food packaging recycling and other eco friendly alternatives.

from bin to board

Shred-X’s collaboration with saveBOARD, a low carbon building product similar to plywood and plasterboard, allows the growth of its waste renewal division through a commitment to diverted waste management solutions with minimal carbon kilometres, all while providing a new growth category. saveBOARD completes an end-product solution where recycled material such as food packaging materials can be regenerated and reused into world-class products while utilising our core capabilities in collection, processing and delivery channels.

The first Australian saveBOARD plant reprocesses liquid paperboard beverage containers, including both aluminium-lined aseptic packages and non-aluminum lined containers collected through the container deposit scheme, coffee cups collected through our disposable coffee cup collection program as well as other non-biodegradable materials from Shred-X collections.

zero waste to landfill solution

saveBOARD was founded with the sole purpose of solving the growing packaging waste problem in Australasia and finding sustainable solutions to increase waste diversion rates. By implementing proven, scalable upcycling technologies that turn locally collected non-biodegradable plastics and non-compostable packaging waste into locally distributed, high performance, low carbon building materials.

saveBOARD is committed to being an industry leader and putting an end to waste pollution. The saveBOARD product is a healthy board, made with zero water, zero glues, zero chemicals and zero VOC emissions or formaldehydes. The product’s green credentials meet all obligations under 14G of the Building Act, reducing waste from the environment and up to 90 per cent reduction in carbon. It is also possible to recover the waste generated from offcuts of non-compostable materials and end of life boards to be remanufactured into new board products, providing a zero-waste-to-landfill solution.

The first saveBOARD ANZ facility is operational in New Zealand with the first Australian facility based in Warragamba, outside Sydney in NSW. More information about saveBOARD is available at saveboard.nz

eWood® Solutions

In 2022 Shred-X acquired eWood® Solutions – a company diverting non-compostable products destined for landfill by processing their plastic components into unique ‘wood look’ garden products. Recycled plastic from printer cartridges, white goods and e-Waste components are collected and processed to make raised garden bed kits, sleepers, retaining walls, sand pits and fencing. What sets eWood® products apart from other DIY and garden accessories in the market, is the patented manufacturing process which allows for a wide range of different plastics to be used together to make the sustainable product range.

Made in Australia from 100% recycled materials, eWood is low maintenance, non-toxic, termite resistant and perfect for the Australian climate as a naturally UV stabilised material and in turn, is even 100% recyclable.

Read more about the eWood product range.

RECYCLABLE FOOD PACKAGING & COFFEE CUP WASTE AUSTRALIA

Closed Loop Environmental Solutions – Simply Cups Australia Program

Shred-X has also invested in new ways of processing millions of disposable coffee cups, partnering with Closed Loop Environmental Solutions and the Simply Cups program to find innovative solutions for recycling and repurposing used coffee cups and organic material like spent coffee grounds.

How it Works

Simply Cups Australia is a program that helps businesses separate their disposable cups from the waste stream headed for landfill. Shred-X collects those cups, undertakes preliminary processing, and supplies the recycled materials, like the thin plastic lining and coffee cup lids, to a range of innovative new technologies to transform used cups into items of higher value. 

Upcycled products to re-enter the supply chain include road surfacing, lightweight concrete products and the plasterboard substitute, saveBOARD. Closed Loop are continually exploring new applications for the collected material, working closely with Shred-X to deliver sustainable solutions.

Further information is available at simplycups.com.au

Waste Diversion Solutions Across Australia

Across every state and territory in Australia, Shred-X helps businesses increase their waste diversion rate through our innovative waste diversion partnerships. Our goal is to increase the amount of reusable recyclable packaging and recycled food packaging in circulation, while reducing the amount of single-use products, like single-use coffee cups. With designated collection points and specialised recycling bins in every major city, we are well placed to help you achieve your sustainability goals.

With comprehensive coverage across Australia, Shred-X partners with some of the most innovative recycling organisations in the country to help you divert plastic food packaging and coffee cup waste. To find out about our sustainable food packaging and coffee cup waste solutions and how you can convert your waste into reusable commodities or products, contact our friendly team today! Shred-X operates in:

Brisbane and South East Queensland
Townsville and North Queensland
Sydney and New South Wales
Melbourne and Victoria
Perth and Western Australia
Canberra and the ACT
Adelaide and South Australia
Darwin and the Northern Territory
Hobart and Tasmania

FOOD PACKAGING & COFFEE CUP RECYCLING FAQs

WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF PLASTIC FOOD PACKAGING RECYCLING?

Recycling plastic food packaging offers a range of environmental benefits, particularly in the reduction of plastic waste and the conservation of resources. By diverting plastic packaging materials from landfills, recycling minimises the environmental impact associated with hard and soft plastic waste, including pollution of land and waterways. Soft plastics, such as plastic bags commonly used for food packaging, can be recycled alongside other types of plastic packaging (such as plastic containers), further contributing to waste reduction efforts. Through the soft plastic recycling process, these non-compostable food packaging plastics are transformed into recycled materials, which can be used to manufacture new products, thereby reducing the need for virgin plastics and conserving natural resources.

Recycling plastic food packaging also helps mitigate the environmental harm caused by plastic pollution. Plastic waste, if not properly managed, can pose significant threats to marine life and ecosystems. By recycling plastic packaging, fewer recyclable materials end up in the environment, reducing the risk of plastic pollution and its adverse effects on wildlife. Additionally, the effort to recycle plastic food packaging reduces the carbon footprint associated with plastic production. Producing recycled plastics typically requires less energy compared to producing virgin plastics from raw materials, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.

WHAT ARE THE STATISTICS ON COFFEE CUP WASTE IN AUSTRALIA?

In Australia, the coffee cup waste statistics are quite alarming. The consumption of disposable coffee cups is substantial, with estimates indicating that billions are used annually. Despite efforts to boost recycling, most single use cups ultimately end up in landfill due to the challenge of recycling their complex composition, as most hot beverage cups have a thin plastic lining. This lining makes traditional paper recycling methods ineffective, contributing to environmental pollution and posing threats to wildlife and ecosystems. 

Shred-X is the collections and preliminary processing partner to Closed Loop Environmental Solution’s Simply Cups program, which diverts around 90 tons of single-use disposable coffee cups from landfill annually. While this is a start to helping reduce Australia’s coffee cup waste problem, thankfully awareness is growing among consumers about the environmental impact of disposable coffee cups, prompting increased adoption of reusable alternatives.To combat the issue of coffee cup waste, there’s been a noticeable shift towards sustainability initiatives. Many cafes now offer incentives, such as discounts, to customers who bring their reusable coffee cups. Both government agencies and industry players have responded to the challenge, launching campaigns to promote reusable coffee cup usage and exploring innovative solutions for the design of compostable cups and recycling technologies.