I have recently researched a little on Plastic Recycling. The general “industry and governmental” opinion seems to be that it is all too hard.
The main problems put up are with type separation, that leads to each type of plastic needing a vastly different process to be effectively recycled.
It does not need an Einstein type of mind to do a little digging and yes, type separation is an issue. That said, it seems there are existing processes to do this effectively, it just needs some investment from people in the industry to have a look and think a little outside the box.
I started with the TED talk below dated 2011, yes that is 10 years ago. One can reasonably assume there have been significant refinements in this process since then.
https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_biddle_we_can_recycle_plastic/transcript?referrer=playlist-sustainability_by_design#t-639284
From there I went to Mike Biddle Associates website
https://mbapolymers.com/
From there to
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/02/us-plastic-waste-recycling
In summary from various sources…
Eight million tons of random plastic ends up in our oceans every year, for the interested, that is around a cubic kilometer of plastic.
America alone, consumes 900 billion pounds of plastic every year, (or around two million metric tons).
Now if there is a process to convert/reconvert this back into raw material, what is there not to like.
If it requires a bigger stream plastic waste than Victoria can supply to make the investment work, why not commit to it and allow we Victorians, (not the SE Asian countries) to become the central processing of plastic waste for the entire South East corner of the Pacific. Once one has a process, then random plastic can be effectively mined as a raw material.
Set up and managed efficiently, everyone wins. Many millions of tones of plastic stops going into the oceans and land fill, and we end up with a raw material that has a real commercial value.
There may be other commercial processes/companies doing the same, well and good, but please, can someone explain to me why this has not been taken up. The alternative of doing nothing, is not sustainable and should not be acceptable to anyone.
Cheers Concerned Aussie.
Peter Perryman

It looks like we’ll be Zooming again in December 2020 Unless advised otherwise, I’ll set it up for 3 pm on 6 December. I’ll be having lunch with a couple of other SAP members that day at the Greensborough RSL Bistro. Call me if you want to join us on 0400 122 044.
There’s a brilliant new book out called “Less is More” by Jason Hickel. The sub title is “How degrowth will save the world”. It’s focus is on the “Capitalism’s Dirty Secret” as discussed in a TED talk by billionaire Nick Hanauer. Thoroughly recommend both.
Does anyone know how to change my name in this system from Kenneth to my preferred name “Ken”?

Just a reminder all things being equal we will be Zooming on –
Sunday 1 November at 3 pm.
I hesitate for to say “for the last time” and hope there will be venue where we can meet on 6 December 2020

I’ll join in.

This sounds like a good topic for discussion on Sunday at 3 pm. I’m from Greensborough and I believe my incumbent candidate, Cr Phillips, is keen for Greensborough to develop as a business and transport hub. I think the Council has a plan for this sort of development. I hate to think what it would do for parking in the area. Phillips is well entrenched in my Beale Ward. Other candidates include Michael Copsey from the Greens and an ALP candidate previously from Whittlesea, Elizabeth Nealy.

If there is any other members from greensborough, or anyone else interested, please see the attached link for a proposed 62 apartment block next to the centrelink. I have written to the people running for local council and Brian Grace is on side to help with the overdevelopmemt problem.

https://m.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-greensborough-129666918

I’ll be there

Our esteemed State Organizer, Richard, has asked me to remind you that we will be meeting via Zoom next Sunday 4 October at 3 pm. I will send out a link to those on my email list. It will be the same one I always use. Here is the link, Meeting ID and Passcode you can use if you don’t get it by email from me. Please keep it safe.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6828067792?pwd=OGcxVDZTSzU5MU1NcXZUcksvZjdadz09

Meeting ID: 682 806 7792
Passcode: 9uYwGU

Ken Young
0400 122 044

From what I’ve read I share the same concerns as other about the state of our country and I am happy we are not single issue focused. One of my major concerns is the overdevelopmemt of our suburbs by developers cramming too many units onto originally single dwelling blocks. Building more assembly line houses has, in my opinion, ironically been the major cause of the housing crisis as now families cant afford houses in their preferred suburbs because developers outbid them. I believe I have a good way to transmit this to the general public and get more people on side but need someone good with animation.

Hi, I’m a recently joined member of SAP, please include me in the Banyule Branch’s list for ZOOM invites etc. Cheers Peter Perryman

I’m happy to host our Zoom meetings, but concerned members may not want to make their email addresses known to me, To overcome this potential hurdle I suggest Richard will be able to forward the link to the meeting to any others that wish to join. The link will be the same or each meeting. Having worked in the public sector all my employed career I appreciate the need for confidentiality. It sounds like we already have a group of five including my friend Peter Perryman whose main concern is plastic pollution. We obviously have a wide range of interests all linked to SAP policies.

Yess, sounds good.

I’ll be there.

3 pm sounds good to me. Ken Young

Hi All,

I will be there. The party recommends 3pm rather than lunch time to maximise attendance, so can we make it 3pm instead? Just so everybody understands the branch meetings procedure, follow this link to the Branch communication guide and click on “here” after messaging: https://www.sustainableaustralia.org.au/local-branches-vic

Regards,

Richard
Victorian organiser

That is OK. I will be there!

Our next Zoom meeting of the Banyule group will be at 1 pm on Sunday 7 September 2020 rather than the 20th. Head office suggest branches meet on the 1st Sunday of each month. Please review the official branch communications process on the ‘Local Branches – State/Territory’ page.

Actually I have been attending Whitehouse meetings. These were actual physically present meetings last year before COVID. I guess we will be having Zoom meetings for a while but we do need to work out a suitable meeting place. Preferable one that is free and has coffee.

Hi Simon. I think we had a constructive meeting. Richard, the State Organizer, was able to join me and Harry. I screwed up and forgot to monitor the “waiting room” so Doug wasn’t able to get in for half an hour. The four of us decided we would ZOOM again on Sunday 20 September at 1 pm. Richard is going to arrange contact with all the other Banyule LGA members via email. I will be the Zoom host for that meeting and pay more attention to the waiting room this time. I expressed my interest in the dominance of global economic forces destroying the planet and humanity. Harry is an expert on population and Doug is working in IT. Doug has been attending Zoom meetings with the Manningham SAP Branch, I think. We need to remember the function of Local branches is the support the development of the Party. It’s my belief we will do best to publicize the Party among our friends. It’s probably the only cure for what ails humanity. We’re blessed to know our members will all be well motivated and probably above average intelligence. Let me know you ‘re email address when you’re ready. Richard will be sending out a formal Zoom meeting notice and will be the Facilitator.

Sorry I was unable to join today hopefully it went well for an initial discussion. Please post when you are planning another one. I work most days often weekends as I work for myself so I am often busy but I will try my best.

Kenneth, arry Clarke can be reached on h.clarke@latrobe.edu.au. Please delete this message once you get it.

Hi Kenneth,

As I am the Victorian organiser for Sustainable Australia party, I would like to join your Zoom meeting today. I is a good opportunity to get to know some people in preparation for more relaxed times ahead. My email address is: vic.organiser@sustainableaustralia.org.au.

Regards,
Richard Belcher.

Hi Harry
I will need your email to send you my Zoom meeting link today. Douglas Richards is proposing to join me and my friend Peter at 2 pm today. I hope you can make it.

Thank you Harry and Simon for your responses. I agree Zoom is easy to use and learn after you’ve had a few goes. I’ve been meeting with my men’s discussion group every week since the lock down.
Simon, you will need to create an “account” with Zoom using your email and a password to sign in the first time you use it. You will also need a camera and microphone with your computer, laptop, tablet or phone.
I suggest I send you both a link around 1.30 pm today and you click on it around 2 pm.
If anyone else is interested all you need to do is send me a message with your email address and I will send you the link. My email address is kry1937@bigpond.com.

Simon, Zoom is easy to use and not a video call. Everyone joins the meeting and you interact/discuss. I use it almost every day.

I am also keen to meet but with the restrictions this is still not possible, or is there a loophole? I’m not really keen on video calling but if the restrictions go on it could be the only way I suppose.

Happy to meet. A specific date is a good idea.

Harry Clarke.

Hi All, I would very much like to talk to other members of the Banyule Local Branch of the Sustainable Australia Party. If you wish I will set up a Zoom meeting on a Sunday afternoon at 2 pm. I’ve signed in on Facebook but don’t like it. I much prefer emails. Let me know if you’re interested and if other days or times are more suitable. I’m happy to be the initial convener of the Zoom group with a view to setting up more formal arrangements. We have to get moving. Ken Young 0400 122 044 – kry1937@bigpond.com – 8 Kundy Close Greensborough. P.S. My friend and fellow SAP member, Peter Perryman is also keen to meet you all.

Hi All,

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic branch meetings have been disrupted. We will keep members updated re meetings via email. Also, we will keep members up to date on the LGA elections via email as well.

Richard Belcher
(Victorian Organiser)