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INSIDE TODAY
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It is 60 years since Churchill was established. In today’s special feature, Express reporter Aidan Knight looks at the people and places that have helped shape the town. MORE - PAGE 5
Round in circles
A MELBOURNE-based company that uses its own innovative technology aims to set up a recycling plant in Morwell that would make the Latrobe Valley a leader in sustainable waste management and the circular economy. Plastec Recycling, a pioneer in processing consumer plastic waste, aims to repurpose discarded soft plastics into valuable products, reducing landfill waste and help create a new economic driver for the region. The soft plastics includes the packaging that shoppers previously placed in those waste bags at Coles and Woolworths. “That’s bread bags, chip wrappers, plastic contaminated with paper labels, inks, food scraps, which makes them unusable for most recyclers,” the company’s owner/director Steve Rawson, a mechanical engineer with more than
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20 years’ experience in the recycling industry, told the Express. Those plastics are often deemed unrecyclable by conventional methods. The company’s feedstock has been expanded to include agricultural wrap used in bulk bags such as food, animal feed and fertilisers. Plastec Recycling has developed an advanced mechanical (no chemicals) recycling process that it says achieves more than 90 per cent yield without the need for extensive cleaning or energyintensive procedures. The company processes mixed plastic waste, including Polyethylene and Styrene, into a broad range of products. One of Plastec’s most successful solutions is recycled plastic aggregate, which can be incorporated into traditional concrete. “It has a whole load of benefits – it lightens the concrete, takes weight out of it, creates extra fire resistance, lowers water demand during batching, and
improves flexibility,” Mr Rawson said. The recycled aggregate has been taken up by concrete companies and large corporations and used in large construction projects, including Coles car parks, council civil works, and even in the concrete used at Glenhuntly train station. Plastec Recycling, previously based in Mordialloc, is looking to establish a factory in Morwell to scale up production and introduce new recycled plastic products such as shipping pallets, sheeting, and industrial packaging. To achieve this, the company requires a minimum 2500-square-metre site with sufficient power capacity (1000kVA) and located at least 500 metres from residential areas. “We don’t stockpile large amounts of plastic; we bring it in as we need it and bring it into the door,” Mr Rawson said. Plastec recently made a major presentation to Latrobe City Council, emphasising the recycling plant in
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Uniform changes for government schools
Celebrating Churchill
By PHILIP HOPKINS
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Morwell would bring numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits to Gippsland. In terms of environmental impact, the plant will help divert thousands of tonnes of plastic waste from landfill, reducing pollution and support Australia’s commitment to sustainability. Job creation was also noted, with the company anticipating hiring around 30 local workers within the first 15 months of operation, with potential for further growth and the creation of multiple indirect jobs. The local impact would see support for businesses in the areas of mechanical maintenance and fabrication, plumbing, electrical and other mechanical services, as well as economic growth, by providing an innovative recycling solution. Plastec Recycling says it will also attract investment and business opportunities to the region. Continued - Page 2
MARTIN Prince would be happy. From next year, school logos will no longer be required on shorts, pants, skirts and socks in Victorian government schools. Premier Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Ben Carroll made the announcement last week, in a move they say will make school uniforms cheaper and help families during the cost-of-living crisis. Coming into effect from 2026, the major change to the student dress code policy follows consultation with families, schools and suppliers which found that branded, customised items (e.g. items with logos, stripes or other markings) are the biggest contributor to uniform costs. These branded items are more expensive and can usually only be purchased from one provider. Compared to ‘generic’ store alternatives, some individual branded items were found to be up to $56 more. Not all government schools require branded shorts, pants, skirts and socks, but many do. Parents must either pay up or risk their child getting in trouble. Under these changes, standard and unbranded becomes the rule. Schools can continue to have branding on hats, tops, shirts, dresses and jackets - everything from the waist up - because it’s important for school pride, making sure all kids walk into schools as equals, and recognising students in a crowd. In addition to the directive to transition away from branded pants, shorts, skirts, and socks, the updated statewide student dress code policy will require schools to ensure that their student uniform is affordable. The Department of Education will be assisting them to review and update student dress codes and consult their school communities as part of their review process. Schools that need to make changes to uniform items as part of their dress code policy update will implement them from the start of the 2026 school year. There will be transitional arrangements to ensure that uniforms already purchased can continue to be worn.