When it comes to recycling plastic, you can't trust the authorities.
Ask them where the plastic we put in our yellow-lidded bins ends up and they can't tell you. And if they do tell you, their answer will probably be as artificial as plastic itself.
We've written in this column before about the "recycling myth" - how we've all been deluded about our yellow-lidded bins.
We all thought we were recycling, but it's an illusion - a big con. We've been duped.
Greenpeace research shows that much of this toxic trash ends up in the Third World where it's dumped into rivers and the ocean, buried in dodgy landfills and burnt.
So if we can't rely on authorities and politicians to do anything about the plastic catastrophe, what can be done?
Well, for one thing, people can step up themselves and try to make a difference. That is, stop buying as much plastic.
That's easier said than done. The stuff is everywhere.
The organisers of Plastic Free July say every step taken to reduce single-use plastic is a step forward.
So, one step at a time, otherwise you'll be overwhelmed and your brain might explode.
No one wants to see that.
Times Are Changing
Another massive step to reduce plastic is for corporations to make change [not just money]. But can they be trusted when profit is their main motive?
We constantly see celebrities rake in piles of cash to promote brands. What if celebs and corporations joined forces to do their bit to protect the planet?
Australian actress Maree Lowes is having a go. She's joined with Kellogg's Australia to talk about the way that cereal liners can be recycled.
If recycled properly, these plastic liners can be turned into low-maintenance and durable products.
Kellogg's is working with recycling proponents REDcycle and Replas to create sustainable planter boxes, which are made with recycled soft plastics.
We're told some of these planter boxes have been donated to the community garden at New Lambton South Public School in Newcastle.
This sounds good, but how do the cereal liners actually get recycled? Well, people can drop them off - along with other soft plastics - at REDcycle drop-off bins at Coles and Woolworths.
"We want everyone to know that there are really simple ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. And it all begins with understanding how plastics can be recycled," Maree said.
Some would probably question whether dropping off cereal liners at supermarkets falls into the "simple" category.
But then, Rome wasn't built in a day.
And obviously it's not just Kellogg's cereal liners that can be dropped off for recycling.
If it's soft plastic and can be scrunched into a ball, it can be placed in a REDcycle drop-off bin.
Along with cereal liners, other items that can be dropped off include bread bags, biscuit packet wrappers, confectionary bags, frozen food bags and plastic bags.
Find drop-off points at redcycle.net.au/where-to-redcycle.
2020 Vision
This from Glen Fredericks, of Adamstown Heights: "They say that hindsight is 20/20, but being blindsided is 2020".
Non-Viral Joke
This from Elaine Richards, of Salt Ash: Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"
For faster access to the latest Newcastle news download our NEWCASTLE HERALD APP and sign up for breaking news, sport and what's on sent directly to your email.
IN THE NEWS:
