Coles in Wollongong has been forced to rethink its approach to plastic recycling.
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The outlet had a REDcycle recycling bin outside to collect soft plastics – including plastic bags – for recycling.
But the store had to remove them due to misuse.
“Due to rubbish being dumped in the REDCycle bin at Wollongong Central, it has been removed from outside the store and will shortly be reinstalled at a new location within the store,” a Coles spokesman said.
He added that people could still hand over their soft plastic at the service desk.
REDcycle director Liz Kasell said it was unusual to see contamination in its bins.
She said there were ways to limit contamination – placing the bins within the store, having a rubbish bin for use nearby and putting appropriate recycling signage on the bins.