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Latest news from Plastic Collective, where we talk about Plastic Recycling, Ocean Waste Plastic & tackling the current climate crisis. Also view events and get answers to common questions for those interested in becoming plastic neutral.
What Does Plastic Net Zero Mean?
Keeping up with the ever-growing green glossaryAs a CSR professional or a responsible consumer, it’s difficult and even frustrating to keep up with the green glossary of sustainability jargon. In the plastic space, it is no different. We are bombarded by terms like:...
History of Plastic Pollution: Solving the Pollution Problem
History of Plastic Pollution How we're Solving the Problem Humans have been polluting our earth since the beginning of the 19th century, however, it wasn't until the late 1960’s when we released we actually had a problem. Plastic Collective and other world non...
History of Plastic Production
History of Plastic Production: How Long has Plastic Pollution been a Problem? Scientists studying plankton first noticed plastic pollution in the ocean in the early 1930’s. This was regarded as the first recorded incident of plastic pollution. The scientists were...
Australia’s first Indigenous-run marine plastic recycling enterprise
A whale preservation charity will fund Australia’s first Indigenous-run marine plastic recycling enterprise, transforming waste plastic into objects of desire. Gowings Whale Trust, the NFP environmental organisation started by Gowings, is financing the MiiMi...
The Plastic Collective System – Designing a Framework to Recycle Fugitive Plastic
What is the Plastic Collective System?Louise is a strong believer in resource not waste. We refer to something that cannot be recycled as waste - dirty nappies for example. Plastic however, has this incredible ability where it can be cleaned, reused and recycled...
Certified Standard Logos for Biodegradable & Compostable Plastics
The Home Compostable verification logo helps consumers clearly identify and differentiate packaging materials as home compostable and biodegradable. Since the demands for environmentally friendly packaging increases, companies are ambitiously developing new packaging...
What’s the Link Between Plastic and Climate Change?
Image sourced from GreenBizThe perils of plastic are well known to businesses and their consumers. Yet, often at times the link between plastic pollution and carbon emissions is overlooked. Tackling these challenges requires a holistic understanding of their...
Plastic Collective’s Digital Solution: Using Data to Ensure Transparency and Impact
Image sourced from Plastic Collective.We take a deeper look with Aly Khalifa into how Plastic Collective’s recycling software is integrated into its wider system to support communities with their plastic waste management.Software origin – a need for good dataSo, what...
How is plastic pollution affecting Indonesia communities
We talked to founder and CEO Louise Hardman about Plastic Collective’s latest community project in Java, Indonesia. Like many places across the globe, discarded plastics are putting extreme stress on the natural environment, local communities and surrounding wildlife....
Environmental Standard Setter Verra Names Plastic Collective to Plastic Program Advisory Group
Image sourced from Verra.Plastic Collective’s Steve Hardman was recently invited to join Verra’s Plastic Program Advisory Group (PPAG). He, alongside eighteen other cross-sector stakeholders, will guide the development of the Plastic Waste Reduction Program. The...
India Plastics Pact Launches with Plastic Collective as a Founding Member
Image sourced from India Plastics Pact.THE INDIA PLASTICS PACT & ITS 2030 TARGETS September 3, 2021 marks the official launch of India Plastics Pact - collaboratively developed by WWF India and the Confederation of Indian Industry. Plastic Collective is...
How are Marine Megafauna Impacted by Plastic Pollution?
Photograph by Jordi Chias sourced from National Geographic. “Marine litter has become a pervasive pollution problem affecting all of the world's seas. It is widely documented that marine litter, in particular plastic, has negative impacts on marine wildlife, primarily...
New Technology to Identify Plastics is Helping to Recycle Ghost Nets
Imagine shooting infrared beams at a material to work out what type of plastic material it is made from - that is what a ‘Spectro-photo-scope’ does for plastic! This Near Infrared Device (NIR) is also called BASF trinamix. One of the problems with recycling discarded...
Surfing towards Sustainability: Diving into WAW’s Ocean Plastic Supply Chain
Dreaming Big: Australia’s first Ocean Plastic Supply Chain Before WAW became a household name in the Australian surf industry, Rikki Gilbey was just another person dreaming big. What was driving him? Giving a new generation of bodysurfers a way to get barreled, while...
Land Management and Resource Recovery in the Gulf of Carpentaria
Indigenous Rangers Caring for CountyWetlands Not Wastelands - Southern Gulf Kickoff In April, 2021 Plastic Collective (PC) and Earthwatch Australia (EW) made their way to northern Queensland to meet with Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (CLCAC) in...
What is Plastic Rain? Amount of Microplastics in the Sky
Plastic degrades; we know this because we hear it and see it ALL the time. But, are you aware of how much degraded plastic there actually is? Recently a new study has shown evidence for rain containing microplastic particles. But how is this possible? How can there be...
3 Questions Every Sustainability Professional Should Ask: Getting a Holistic View of your Products’ Impact
As a sustainability professional, we see more and more frameworks being introduced - each promises a direct path to positive impact. But which, out of hundreds of options, is the right path forward for your unique brand? We hear such questions a lot in the plastic...
ANZPAC Plastic Pact to Reduce Plastic Waste
ANZPAC Plastic Pact setting plastic waste reduction targets for huge retailers including Coles and Woolworths by 2025Louise Hardman was recently interviewed by ABC News Australia regarding the new ‘ANZPAC’ Plastic Pact. More than 60 Australian and New Zealand...
Plastic or Carbon Neutral? We say Both!
Next Generation Plastic/Carbon Combo CreditsCreating a Circular EconomyBusinesses and investors are lining up to commit to plastic neutral and net zero carbon targets. A perfect storm of concerned consumers with government legislation and non-profit pressures are...
Seaspiracy Fact Check: The Inaccuracies and Controversy Explained
Plastic Collective and Marine Biology Students React to the Hit Netflix Documentary and Provide Insight into the Inaccuracies Outlined by the Media The new Netflix documentary “Seaspiracy” has gained a lot of attention following its release this week. The film,...
How do Plastic Credits Work?
Plastic Credits are a mechanism to incentivise the removal of plastic from the environment and the recycling of plastic into new products and packaging. There are two key participants in plastic credits. One is companies who use plastic in their products and...
Making plastic credits credible: WWF latest paper critiques potential crediting shortfalls
Is your company considering or currently using Plastic Credits? If so, WWF's latest position paper on plastic crediting is a MUST read. The report pre-dates the February 2021 launch of Verra's Plastic Waste Reduction Standard (Plastic Standard). Therefore, while the...
Your Roadmap to the Global Plastic Credit Market
An Official Plastic Credit Market is BornThe plastic problem is not new, yet the slew of corporate pledges driven by legislation and stakeholder pressures are. With corporates avidly searching for solutions, a plastic credit market was born. Like the carbon credit...
Plastic Waste Initiatives with Plastic Collective’s Les Village Program in Bali, Indonesia
Plastic Collective’s Les Village Program, Pilots the Plastic Waste Reduction StandardPlastic Waste Initiatives: The Pilot ProgramThe Reduce, Recover, Recycle (3R) Initiative, aims to increase the value of global plastic waste by transforming societal perceptions from...
Plastics! The Essential Guide to Repurposing, Reusing and Recycling
Importance of Repurposing PlasticsOver the past decade the importance of repurposing plastic materials has become imperative as the world transitions to more sustainable options. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), analysed the...
Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Plastic Pollution
Plastic Collective talks about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and how they’re leading the discussion on sustainability through reinventing systematic operations and innovation in resource management. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) is a UK based charity,...
SEA of Solutions – Plastic Collective’s Contribution
SEA of Solutions is a globally recognized partnership event targeting plastic pollution. The event was originally organised by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), through the SEA circular project....
Plastic Credits – Helpful or Harmful?
Are Plastic Credits Encouraging Businesses to Avoid Responsibility for Plastic Pollution? How Plastic Collective Tackles the Plastic Waste Problem The Plastic Waste Reduction program backed by the 3R Initiative, is a market based crediting system, intended to drive...
Christmas Time, COVID-19, and How to Avoid the Excessive Plastic! – Plastic Collective Reducing Pollution Through ‘Plastic Neutral Citizenship’ Gifts
Christmas Time, COVID-19, and How to Avoid the Excessive Plastic! Plastic Collective Reducing Pollution Through ‘Plastic Neutral Citizenship’ GiftsChristmas is a time for joy and celebration. It’s a time when family comes together to share gifts, stories and laughter....
Wetlands not Wastelands Project
Plastic Collective partners with Earthwatch, Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, and Coca-Cola Australia Foundation to tackle marine pollution in the Gulf of CarpentariaThe Gulf of Carpentaria is one of Australia’s most beautiful geographic and diverse...
Coffs Coast’s Louise Hardman nominated as NSW ‘Local Hero’ Australian of the Year
Fig 1. Louise starting out in her garage, shredding plastic milk bottles from the Shruder.A number of years ago, Louise Hardman, a 22 year old passionate zoologist, was working as the Project Officer for the newly established Solitary Islands Marine Park Reserve....
How to Reduce your Plastic Footprint
Plastic pollution is a huge environmental issue affecting our world today. It is becoming harder to avoid plastic packaging, material and products in our everyday lives. Plastic consumption has expedited over the past decade, with more than 8 million metric tons of...
![Plastic Fantastic: A New Resource Recovery Centre Planned for the Mid North Coast [Coast Beat Article]](https://www.plasticcollective.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/plastic-collective-bowraville-by-elize-strydom-09-400x250.jpg)
Plastic Fantastic: A New Resource Recovery Centre Planned for the Mid North Coast [Coast Beat Article]
"Used plastic from Mid North Coast households and businesses will soon be reclaimed and repurposed at a new resource recovery centre in the Nambucca Valley. Coffs Harbour based company Plastic Collective has set the wheels in motion to establish the centre at...
Plastic Credits to Reduce Plastic Pollution
New Plastic Reduction initiative to help Reduce Global Plastic Pollution Plastic pollution is a major global environmental issue, with estimates of more than 8 million metric tons of plastic waste (from plastic bottles to food wrappers, cigarette butts to used...
Plastic Pollution in the Ocean, Common Causes & Ways to Reduce – Plastic Collective
Did you know more than 8 Million Metric Tons of Plastic Waste Enters the Sea from the Environment every year? Plastic waste gathers in the world's oceans through downstream currents from nearly every terrestrial location. Collecting and concentrating in the midst of...
Curing Shot becomes Plastic Neutral
Plastic Collective is proud to announce that Curing Shot has become certified Plastic Neutral with their plastic packaging for their product range – Curing Shots. Curing Shot’s are nutrient rich drinks, aimed to “boost” yourself. Curing Shot is a German juice company,...
Global Good Collective becomes Plastic Neutral
Plastic Collective is proud to announce that Global Good Collective has become certified Plastic Neutral with their plastic packaging for their new product range - Bamboo toiletry paper. To become Plastic Neutral, Global Good Collective has joined a growing number...
Citizen Science: Water and the Law of Least Resistance – ADEX – Asia Dive Expo
Aly Khalifa (Plastic Collective's Innovation Director) and Louise Hardman join ADEX - Asia Dive Expo to discuss the philosophy of water and the law of least resistance. How to survive and thrive in the blue ocean world and maintain your passion for a better healthier...
Plastic Collective working with Coca Cola & Earthwatch to tackle marine pollution
The Plastic Collective is proud to be working with CLCAC Land & Environment Rangers from the isolated northern communities of Burketown and Normanton in the Gulf of Carpentaria to help develop a marine pollution management plan and a report card to conserve this...
Saarinen Organics chats to Louise about ocean waste plastic
Saarinen Organics chats with Louise from Plastic Collective, about problems and solutions for ocean waste plastic and plastic in communities, recycling into valuable resources.
The State of the Ocean in the Age of Covid-19 – ADEX Pixel Virtual Expo
ADEX (Asian Dive Expo) is the biggest Dive conference in the world in Singapore. For the second year the theme is Ocean plastic pollution. Due to Covid-19 they are hosting the first virtual conference with panel speakers. Louise Hardman from Plastic Collective joins...
Cave Plastic Pollution – ADEX Pixel Virtual Expo
ADEX is the biggest Dive conference in the world in Singapore. For the second year the theme is Ocean plastic pollution. Due to Covid-19 they are hosting the first virtual conference with panel speakers. Louise Hardman & Steve Hardman from Plastic Collective join...
Climate Chatter – Tackling the plastic crisis – Event
South Pole have invited Steve Hardman from Plastic Collective to speak at an online conference where there will be a discussion how you and your organisation can fight the plastics crisis and actively improve the plastic footprint... Thursday, April 30, 2020 from 2:30...
When Plastic Credits Really Work
What is a Plastic Credit? Plastic Credits are just like Carbon Credits. They are sold to a company that wants to be Plastic Neutral and is unable to completely reduce their plastic usage to zero. A company buys a volume Plastic Credits in kilograms equal to the...
Ocean Lovers Festival
Ocean Lovers Festival Fish Tank with Louise Hardman from Plastic CollectiveDive into the Fish Tank to explore six 'great ideas for the ocean'. Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) and Ocean Lovers Festival (OLF) are proud to bring you this virtual offering of the Fish...
Radio Interview – ABC Illawara
10th March 2020 Louise speaks to Nick Rheinberger all about plastics and how she is tackling plastic waste through the new government CRC-P grant Plastic Collective has recently received. Nick presents the Morning show on ABC Illawarra.
#IWD2020: 10 Women Changing The Future Of Impact In Asia – Green Queen
"Today is International Women’s Day and I am inspired to be recognized as one of 10 women creating social and environmental impact in Asia. Having a background in science and now totally emerged in creating technology that will bring about significant change for...
Visiting iAccelerate Expert-In-Residence, Aly Khalifa joins forces with Plastic Collective to fight ocean waste
iAccelerate Expert-in-Residence takes leadership role for $2.5m grant with Coffs Harbour pioneers to recycle plastic in remote and vulnerable communities. WOLLONGONG, Australia – Impact entrepreneur, Aly Khalifa, has become the Innovation Director for a three-year...
National Plastic Summit 2020 – Summary
Workshop: Plastics in the Economy, speakers: Peter Bury, Damien Giurco, Bronwyn Laycock, Stephen SchererSummary NATIONAL PLASTICS SUMMIT: PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA 02/03/20 National Plastic Summit consisted of 200 selected delegates from Australian industry,...
PC mention at Parliament House
National Plastic Summit & PC mention at Parliament House 03/03/2020: Cowper Member of Parliament Pat Conaghan, talks about Louise Hardman, Founder of Plastic Collective and the CRC-P government funding, in the House of Representatives, Canberra.View Summary of...
Plastic Neutral Certification – How Does it Work for Me?
Becoming Plastic Neutral is a great way to help stop plastic entering the oceans and littering our environments. The concept is simple; you, your family and friends or your business every year use a certain weight of plastic in kilograms, which is called your Plastic...
Plastic shredder hopes to clean up Pacific Ocean – NewstalkZB
Plastic in our oceans is a huge problem, but one woman has come up with a solution to help in some of the more remote areas...
Louise Hardman shredding plastic for a brighter future – RNZ
The sheer amount of plastic floating in the Pacific Ocean is a daunting obstacle. But Louise Hardman has spent the last 25 years trying to reduce that mass by not seeing it as waste...
Recycling waste plastics: Birth of a new local industry? – Guardian News
Pat Conaghan MP at the announcement of the $2 million grant The Federal Government is investing almost $2.5 million in local company Plastic Collective to develop a cutting edge solution to recycling waste plastics in remote and regional communities...
Woopi Gardens & How to be a Plastic Neutral Citizen
Last weekend, I ran a Plastic Neutral workshop at Woolgoolga’s Community Gardens (aka Woopi Gardens), in my local town. The mission of Woopi Gardens is to build a sustainable garden accessible to all, encouraging community involvement, good health, well-being and...
Multi million dollar grant for recycling solution – Echonetdaily
With the earth slowly choking on our discarded rubbish, a joint project to tackle plastic pollution has received a $2.49 million dollar grant from the Australian Government to help solve the problem...
Green turtle’s death led to a $2.5 million grant to help rid the ocean of plastic – ABC Coffs Coast News
More than 25 years ago, Louise Hardman made a vow to do everything she could to rid the ocean of plastic.
Plastic Collective Set to Grow – NBN news
A Coffs Harbour recycling company is set to expand its operation Australia-wide thanks to a $2.5 million federal government grant. The Plastic Collective will work in partnership with Southern Cross University and a local engineering company.
Shruder MkII
THE SHRUDER (™) (pronounced 'Shroo-der') designed by Louise Hardman and manufactured in Coffs Harbour, Australia was adapted from Dave Hakken’s Precious Plastic modular machines in 2016. Two machines - a shredder and extruder are integrated into one portable unit....
Plastic Collective wins prestigious Government CRC-P Grant
We are immensely proud to announce, Plastic Collective and our partners are the recipients of an Australian Government Collaborative Research Centre (CRC-P) grant to research and develop waste plastic solutions for remote, regional and Indigenous communities. This is...
