CHILDREN at Community Kids Mount Gambier are doing their part for the environment, collecting bread tags and bottle tops to be reused.
Bread tags and bottle lids are collected at the centre before being sorted, weighed and sent to Robe’s Transmutation recycling centre.
Transmutation recycles the small plastics into door knobs, coasters, tiles or bowls, with the centre currently exploring adding straws to its collection methods.
Community Kids Mount Gambier staff member Chloe Payne discovered the recycling firm after searching for more sustainable practices in her own home, launching the project which has since collected almost seven kilograms of plastic since the end of March.
“I found the store and thought it would be something wonderful to do at the centre because we are based around sustainability,” Ms Payne said.
“I mentioned it to the staff here and they were more than happy for me to introduce it to the children.”
Now used as an educational tool for children, Ms Payne said businesses and families supported the program.
“I just wanted to get the families and children involved and have it as something they can do at home while also educating them about what they can recycle and make it a community thing where we are also supporting local businesses,” she said.
Once the centre’s tub is full, the children sit down to sort through the tags and lids before weighing and sending them to Robe.
“They make them into some fabulous things over there,” Ms Payne said.
“Bowls, coasters and many other things are made out of what we send and it is an incredible way to recycle.
“The families have gotten on board a lot quicker than I expected and the kids are talking about the program all the time because it is something they see everytime they come into the centre.”
Bread tags are separated between South Australia and South Africa, with older children at the centre taking an interest in the geography of the program.
“I have told some of the students that some of the bread tags get sent to South Africa to be reused there and it has really sparked their interest into where South Africa is, how long it takes to get there and just the general geographical location of it all.”
The centre also encourages students to recycle through other manners such as worm farms and compost bins.
“Rather than the staff doing all of the recycling it gets the children involved and the families as well as extended families involved in the programs as well,” Ms Payne said.
“If there is enough interest also we will look into a local pick up and drop off point somewhere in the community.”
