coolbrisbane.org

Source: Surfrider Foundation
Date: September 15th, 2011

World champion surfer, Layne Beachley has teamed up with Electrolux and urging all Australians to get serious about plastic recycling to help protect our oceans and combat an increasing scarity of plastic recyclable resources available.

While most Australians believe they are vigilant when it comes to recycling, a new report by Electrolux reveals there is widespread confusion and complacency when it comes to recycling plastics.

According to the Electrolux Plastics Pollution Report:

* Majority of Australians (72%) are confused about what plastics can and can’t be recycled, resulting in reusable plastics ending up in either a landfill or in our oceans;
* 68 per cent of Australians believe that both plastic bottles and caps are recyclable, when in fact bottle caps are not recyclable and need to be removed and placed in the general rubbish bin;
* One fifth of Australians incorrectly believe that plastic bags can be recycled;
* Over 16 per cent of respondents believe that all plastics are recyclable;
* Majority of Australians view plastic bottles and containers in and around our waterways and beaches as the biggest contributor to Australia’s rubbish and pollution problem;
* An overwhelming 94 per cent of Australians agree that a greater effort should be made by individuals and authorities to reduce the level of rubbish and pollution in and around our waterways (76%) and beaches (69%).

Due to this knowledge gap, Australians are unknowingly contaminating recyclable goods with materials which are actually rendering recyclable materials unusable. With 88 per cent of adults confused about the recycling rules, it is little wonder why there is a resource shortage.

In a bid to clean up our waterways and highlight the scarcity of recycled plastics, world champion surfer Layne Beachley has teamed up with Electrolux and its global Vac from the Sea initiative. The program gathers plastic from the world’s oceans to create a series of one-off specially designed vacuum cleaners made from marine plastic debris.

Electrolux Vac from the Sea ambassador, Layne Beachley said: “As a surfer I regularly experience first-hand the vast amount of rubbish which ends up polluting our oceans. The Vac from the Sea initiative brings attention to the issue of plastic pollution whilst at the same time addressing the lack of recycled plastics needed for creating sustainable products for future generations.”

Julian Huitfeldt, Electrolux Product Marketing Manager, Floor Care and Small Appliances said: “The Pacific Ocean is polluted with the largest floating garbage islands in the world. Yet on land, we struggle to get hold of enough recycled plastics to meet the demand for sustainable vacuum cleaners and Vac from the Sea aims to highlight this issue.

“In its quest to create sustainable products for the home with the recyclable materials currently available, Electrolux has launched its Green Range made from 55 per cent recycled plastics. More recycling translates into more sustainable appliances and homes – our ultimate vision is using 100 per cent recycled plastic for all our vacuum cleaners,” continued Huitfeldt.

An Australian Vac from the Sea showcase model is currently being manufactured from plastic rubbish found in and around Australia’s beaches and coastline.

Click here to visit the Surfrider Foundation website.

Click here to visit the Vac from the Sea website.