SULO bins turn circular using recycled content

Pact Group has begun to manufacture its SULO bins using plastic packaging waste that can be found in household recycling bins. Local Aussie councils are taking delivery of kerbside collection bins made with up to 100% recycled plastic, noting that the percentage of recycled content depends on bin colour and excludes lid, wheels and axles.

The new 120 L and 240 L bins are made using recycled HDPE resin sourced from items including empty shampoo bottles, detergent and sauce bottles. The lids are made from jars and bottles, mixed with old, recycled wheelie bins.

The plastic materials used to create the bins are sorted, shredded, washed and then turned into resin at the Circular Plastics Australia recycling facility in Laverton, Victoria.

The manufacturing of the new 120 L and 240 L garbage bins. Image credit: Pact Group

The resin is blended with recycled plastic pellets made from end-of-life bins which are collected from local councils and waste management companies across Australia.

Using recycled resin to manufacture the bins instead of virgin resin in the manufacturing of 50,000 240 L bins has been estimated to cut CO₂ emissions by 478 t and save 23.4 million L of water.

Shareef Kahn, Executive General Manager Pact Recycling & Reuse, said: “By using discarded plastic packaging and old mobile garbage bins, we are able to provide a reliable and high-quality source of recycled plastic to make new SULO bins and reduce the environmental impact for local councils who adopt these bins.”

Top image credit: Pact Group