Eight councils from across Victoria’s north-east have witnessed firsthand the innovative processes behind Close the Loop’s Circular Contract program, which supports councils in the collection and reuse of soft plastics.
The visit, organised by Sustainability Victoria’s Regional Engagement Lead for the Hume region, Kate Shaw, coincided with the Waste Expo in Melbourne, making it a convenient and valuable add-on for the 12 council representatives.
The group was led on a tour by Joseph Wise, Business Development Manager at Close the Loop, who showcased the facility’s capabilities, including the transformation of post-consumer soft plastics into TonerPlas – a high-performance asphalt additive.
“It was a pleasure to host such an engaged group of council representatives and explain how our Circular Contract program is helping local governments close the loop on soft plastics,” Wise said.
“We believe partnerships like these are key to accelerating Australia’s transition to a circular economy.”
The tour concluded with a networking lunch, where conversations continued and connections deepened.
Sustainability Victoria’s Kate Shaw, said, “The council representatives found it extremely valuable to be able to chat in person, share their learnings and brainstorm collaborative work they can do across their region. There was talk of equipment sharing, combining freight for recycling, and even investment opportunities. It was fantastic to see so much energy and connection in the room.”
The City of Greater Bendigo, a council already participating in Close the Loop’s Circular Contract, shared its experience, offering valuable insights from a local government perspective.
“We introduced the soft plastic drop-off program to all City recycling centres in 2023,” said Amelia Rungkat, Resource Recovery Education Officer at the City of Greater Bendigo. “The Bendigo community are avid recyclers, so it’s been rewarding to offer a local alternative to supermarket drop off following the closure of the RedCycle program.
“The drop-off program is recovering up to four tonnes of soft plastics each month. It’s a valuable addition alongside Victorian Government kerbside reform measures, helping households reduce general waste and supporting the City’s broader circular economy goals.”
Jason Perna, Coordinator of Waste Services at Indigo Shire Council, said, “It was fantastic to have the opportunity to observe Close the Loop’s operations firsthand. The visit provided a great perspective on the scale and innovation behind their processes. The open discussion and collaboration across the group were both encouraging and productive.”
Reilly Grace, Kerbside Transition Officer at Mitchell Shire Council, echoed the sentiment sharing, “It’s really promising to see the traction TonerPlas is gaining in new infrastructure projects. It’s an exciting time of innovation we find ourselves in – how lucky are we!”
With enthusiastic feedback, Sustainability Victoria’s Hume Region Councils Circular Economy Network is proving to be a powerful platform for collaboration, innovation, and regional leadership in the transition to a circular economy.
