ReMade in Australia: Prime Minister Scott Morrison launches recycling campaign

From sustainable sunnies to eco-friendly bath toys, Sydney companies are leading the way using recycled materials as the PM launched the national Remade in Australia campaign.

Shoppers can now look out for the ReMade in Australia seal to help them easily identify items made locally from recycled materials and Sydney companies are leading the way in the eco revolution.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison launched the campaign at Woollahra Public School on Monday with the help of the youngsters and a collection of sustainable businesses.

Mr Morrison reflected on his childhood at Bronte and the confronting impact of plastic on the beach.

“Back in my day when I used to swim at the beaches not too far from here the surf report wasn’t just about what the waves were, it was what was in the waves,” Mr Morrison said.

“Since that time, there has been so much progress that has been made and getting plastics out of the ocean is one of our big challenges.”

The Prime Minister shows off the new symbol to look out for. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The visit came as an exclusive Newspoll, conducted by The Australian, showed Labor is now the favourite among voters to win the next federal election.

The figures showed 47 per cent of voters believe Labor will form the next government following an election expected in March or May.

In contrast just 37 per cent expect the Coalition to be returned for a fourth term.

The Prime Minister was joined by Wentworth MP Dave Sharma for the visit.

Speaking about the campaign launch he said he chose to bring Mr Morrison to Woollahra Public as his own three daughters often lead the way when it came to recycling in the Sharma household and had recently started a new green project.

“We’re pretty good at separating our waste. We actually just got a worm farm a few weeks ago so we can start using our food waste into the worm farm,” Mr Sharma said.

“You realise how kids take a really sensible view about this and they look at things through fresh eyes in a way that we don’t, like why do we just dispose of this and what happens to all this when we throw it out – is there not a better way to make use of it?”

Among the businesses was glasses maker Dresden which manufactures their frames in Campelltown from recycled materials including old bank notes, milk bottle lids and fishing nets.

Dresden CEO Erkin Solak of Lilyfield said the frames were hugely popular in the inner west with two stores in Newtown, a third in Rozelle and another in Pitt Street.

Mr Solak, who is planning to open their fourth Sydney store in Randwick soon, such is the demand from the eco-conscious east, said the frames retailed for as little as $75 for standard prescription lens.

“We want to keep it affordable because it shouldn’t be a luxury to save the planet,” Mr Solak said.

North Sydney’s Miranda Davidson, founder of Happy Planet Toys, has so far rescued 50,000 milk bottles from landfill.

As well as their signature bath toys, the Seaforth mum has just released a new range of tableware for kids boasting colourful sturdy bowls which are also made form 100 per cent recycled plastic milk bottles.

“We want to build awareness for kids that what you put into your recycling bin can be remade into something amazing and engaging,” Ms Davidson said.

The Prime Minister admires a pair of Good Citizens glasses. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Rozelle’s the Robinson family were invited to speak before the United Nations about their glasses frames with each pair made from a single 600ml plastic water bottle.

The business is headquartered in Balmain and the frames are manufactured in Dee Why.

Dad Nik and mum Jocelyne were spurred to create the Good Citizens frames by their sons Harry, 10, and Archie, 9, who desperately want to do their bit to save the planet.

“The boys came home from school one day and said, ‘we have to do something’, “Mr Robinson said.

“Some kids are scared of the dark – mine were scared of the plastic problem we have in our oceans.”

Woollahra Public students talk recycling with the Prime Minister. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Woollahra Public vice-captain Toby Laux, 12, said he and his classmates were very conscious about recycling.

“The environment is what we have to live in so that’s pretty important isn’t it?” Toby said.

The national ReMade in Australia advertising campaign encouraging Aussies to recycle and buy products made from recycled materials kicks off this week.

You can learn more at www.awe.gov.au/remadeinaustraliav