Yarra Valley Water is switching to recycled barricade tape at worksites, removing over 100 km of virgin plastic tape from circulation every year.
The new tape, produced by Melbourne social enterprise Cacti Conserve, is designed to reduce environmental impact and support a circular economy.
As one of Australia’s largest water corporations, Yarra Valley Water uses barricade tape during work on water and sewer infrastructure, to identify worksites and keep crew members and the public safe.
General manager distribution and growth, Bridie Fennessy, said the organisation has adopted the tape as part of a range of actions to reduce the impact of essential water and sewer works on the environment.
“Switching to recycled and recyclable tape is a small change, that can make a difference over time,” she said.
“It works well, looks great and is a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastic tape made from raw materials.”
The new ‘Eco barricade tape’ is made from 96 per cent recycled soft plastic waste and can be recycled again at end of life.
Cacti Conserve supports this by providing a service to collect used tape and recycle it again.
“Plastic pollution is one of our most pressing environmental challenges. The production, use, and disposal of plastic is a huge contributor to biodiversity loss,” Ms Fennessy said.
“By reducing the demand for raw materials, this small change helps to prevent habitat destruction and preserve natural ecosystems that are crucial for
biodiversity.”
“Switching to a recycled product aligns with the commitment we’ve made as a business to take a sustainable approach wherever we can.”
Cacti Conserve, which manufactures the tape, reinvests 50 per cent of its profits into local conservation projects.
Founder Jackson Ellis said it was just one of the products in the company’s Eco Site Safety range, which helps businesses make more sustainable choices for a healthy planet.
“Collaborating with Yarra Valley Water through their transition to our recycled tape is an opportunity to both support local manufacturers using recycled materials, and to provide material benefits for our at-risk ecosystems,” Mr Ellis said.
Yarra Valley Water is responsible for maintaining, renewing, and constructing over 21,000 km of water, recycled water, and sewerage pipes.
Ms Fennessy said Yarra Valley Water is committed to leading for the environment by exploring new ways to reduce resource use.
“Leading for our environmental future is part of our broader strategy to contribute to Victoria’s circular economy. It’s one of the three key pillars in our 2030 Strategy, and forms part of our Climate Resilience Plan, which outlines how we’ll achieve our purpose in the face of climate change.”
To find out more about how Yarra Valley Water is taking action to create a brighter future for communities and the natural environment, read our Climate Resilience Plan.
