Goulburn Mulwaree Council in Australia has initiated a free trial recycling service for soft plastics and vapes at the Goulburn Waste Management Centre.

The trial, set to run until 30 June 2026, aims to provide a sustainable disposal method for these materials at no cost to residents. Success could lead to a permanent service offering.

Soft plastics, including plastic bags, wraps, and packaging, are now recyclable through the council's collaboration with RecycleSmart.

Excluded items are biodegradable or compostable plastics, straws, rigid plastic containers, and laminated materials, which the council has emphasised not to include.

Vapes should never be thrown into household or workplace bins due to their fire hazard potential, according to the council.

The Goulburn Waste Management Centre now offers a safe recycling solution for these items through a specialised programme.

The council will also accept noncommercial amounts of commingled recycling, clean cardboard, and polystyrene.

Residents are reminded to source-separate their recyclables and place them in designated areas within the recycling shed.

This expansion of recycling services by the council is seen as a strategic move to decrease landfill waste, encourage sustainable practices, and facilitate responsible disposal for the community.

The initiative reflects the council's commitment to environmental stewardship and waste management innovation.