By Parker McKenzie
Picnic tables made from recycled plastic will become a permanent fixture in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, after collaboration between Parks Victoria and manufacturer Repeat Plastics Australia.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced on 15 March the addition of the new picnic tables in 17 parks — Including the Dandenong Ranges National Park — as a part of the State Government’s $21 million Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program.
“The use of recycled plastic in this project is the perfect example of resource recovery that is protecting the environment,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“The Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program is making a big difference to green spaces in our suburbs and is an example of the Labor Government’s strong record of support for growing communities across Melbourne.”
Repeat Plastics Victorian Business Development Executive Thomas Anderson said 42 all-in-one picnic tables are being produced for Parks Victoria.
“There was an opportunity with Parks Victoria for the early works package to create an all-in-one setting that is fit for the ever-changing Victorian climate,” he said.
“Part of the contract was we had to create something that was quite strong and sturdy. We thought with the sustainability focus that Parks Victoria has, we thought we’d be the best fit.”
The tables will save 5.67 tonnes of plastic waste from entering landfills as Victoria moves towards a target of diverting 80 per cent of waste from landfills by 2030.
Mr Anderson said Parks Victoria has been one of their biggest clients.
“They have such a passion towards what we do in terms of obviously diverting waste,” he said.
“We’ve supplied to hundreds of their sites in the past and we did the fire restoration works down in Cape Conran,
“I always say to my clients waste is only considered waste as it is limited by our imagination, and I think that is a fantastic one as it is a testament to the creative thinking between Parks Victoria and RePlas.”
Mr Anderson said he hopes the recycled all-in-one picnic setting can be rolled out in other municipalities and states after their implementation in Victorian National Parks.
