COTA SA welcomes the opportunity to comment on issues relating to the recycling of soft plastics and other recyclable materials as part of the inquiry being conducted by the Select Committee of the Legislative Council.

COTA SA takes the threat of climate change seriously and our passionate Climate Change Group is focused on the actions that can be taken at a policy, organisational and personal level that tackle climate change.

Older South Australians have a deep commitment to reduce the severity and impact of climate change for today’s community and for future generations. The adverse effect of climate change on the health of the community is evident in the rising cost of energy, heat and cold-related ill health and extreme weather events. The impacts of climate change are disproportionately felt by those on low and fixed incomes and vulnerable community members, including a substantial proportion of older people, as they will have the least capacity to mitigate climate change and adapt to extreme weather conditions.

COTA SA views the issue of recycling soft plastics and related materials as one part of a suite of measures that can mitigate the impact of climate change and the wasteful use of resources and their embodied energy.