Coffee is up! And so is business recycling

Bin Trim business Shiny Brew are innovative recyclers

The onset of COVID-19 meant that many cafes weren’t able to accept customer keep cups for their daily brew and the environmental issue of disposable cups was on the rise again.

In the Tweed area, Bin Trim business Shiny Brew is part of NEWaste's Circular Cafes project and has not only purchased and encouraged reusable cups, but also started converting used Tetra Paks into cup trays for customer use.

Another Bin Trim assessor, Southern Region Business Enterprise Centre, discovered approx 140 bumper bars going to landfill each week as they were replaced for bullbars.

Another bumper recycling idea

Bumper bars are an easily recycled plastic, and this business is now considering equipment with the support of a Bin Trim rebate, making it more cost-effective to transport the plastic for recycling.

EPA Circular Economy Programs Director 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." Kathy said.

“Bin Trim is a free service and our assessors are continuing to work in the field, COVID safe, to help businesses rethink their waste management to save money, time and the environment.

“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.”

Watch this video on some of our Bin Trim businesses 

It’s simply irresistible and totally recyclable!

The Simply Cups program upcycles used coffee cups into all sorts of items - including outdoor seating, garden beds, coat hangers and even bricks!

Now, with support from an EPA Circulate grant, Simply Cups is looking to increase the quantity of coffee cups collected for reprocessing from office buildings as well as collection places in public spaces such as shopping centres, entertainment precincts, airports, hospitals and other businesses.

“You could be enjoying a cuppa while relaxing on a bench made from old coffee cups,” EPA’s Business Recycling Unit Head Melissa Hayes said.

“The program is easy to do – just rinse your used coffee cups, save them and drop them off at a Simply Cups collection bin near you.”

Paying it forward

Another project realising environmental, economic and social benefits under the Circulate grants program is Good360’s redistribution of non-perishable personal care items.

Good360 is a not-for-profit with a platform for product gifting allowing companies to share what they no longer need or have too much of – and it’s transforming product donations during disaster recovery.

The EPA’s Melissa Hayes said the project’s goal is long term sustainable recovery for people and communities.

“Materials are being redirected for social benefit through refuges and shelters – this is especially important in Covid times with many families needing assistance,” Melissa said.

“Good360 has identified and recovered a staggering 668 tonnes of items from leading retailers like BIG W, LEGO, Moose, L’Oréal and Woolworths warehouses to Good360's network of over 1600 not-for-profits and schools in Australia.

“This is equal to 4 million individual items to the value of a $49 million recommended retail price being returned to the productive economy!”

Find out more:

• Online details of Bin Trim and how to apply for a free assessment, Alternatively, call 131 555 and ask for Bin Trim or email Bin.Trim@epa.nsw.gov.au.
• The Circulate program is planning another intake.