What to do with old fluted tree guards?

Recycling now possible at StrataGreen

Recycling old fluted plastic tree guards is now possible thanks to a partnership between StrataGreen and Claw Environmental Services in Welshpool, Perth.

Tree guards are the perfect solution to protect your trees from wind damage. Tree guards create a physical barrier between the plant and possible threats. Usually, demand for StrataGreen tree guards increases just before planting season in winter. Plastic tree guards are popular among councils and other environmental businesses as they have been durable and reusable for several years. However, they are due for replacement at some point (usually after 3-4 years).

Ever wondered where all the old tree guards go?

Unfortunately, many tree guards end up in landfills, but thanks to Claw Environmental- a Perth based plastic recycler, that's a thing of the past. Claw Environmental can shred and repurpose Fluted tree guards, a.k.a. corflute® (polypropylene), along with many other plastic products. Then they go back into local manufacturing across Australia. If you have old fluted plastic tree guards (a.k.a. corflute®), you can drop them off at StrataGreen. Then Claw Environmental will process them as part of a more circular economy. "This is a green WIN-WIN solution. Anyone who buys fluted tree guards at StrataGreen can now rest assured we will recycle them. This will benefit manufacturing thanks to Claw Environmental", says Tim Sharpe, Director at StrataGreen. "We hope councils and other businesses take up this great opportunity this winter", adds Rick Sharpe, Director at StrataGreen.

Recycling fluted plastic tree guards not only reduces the amount of plastic going to landfills. It also helps Australian manufacturing businesses make things locally.

**AJ Forrest and Kate Cameron showing us how to recycle tree guards**

AJ Forrest and Kate Cameron from Claw Environmental in Welshpool

AJ Forrest and Kate Cameron from Claw Environmental in Welshpool
The team around Kate and AJ from Claw Environmental focus on recycling rigid plastics and expanded polystyrene. These plastics make up bins, bottles, drums, tubs, buckets, corflute, eskies, boxes, and insulation.

**Fluted plastic guards (left) are shredded into fine bits (right) then processed into tiny plastic pellets.**

**These large machines shred, granulate, wash and pelletise plastics at Claw Environmental.**

**Long plastic strings are cooled down in the water then cut into pellets.**

**This used to be an old end of life wheely bin (left)! The end product is tiny pellets (right).**

**Claw Environmental shredded bottle lids in large amounts.**

Guide: What to arrange before recycling your fluted plastic tree guards

Do you want to divert fluted plastic tree guards from landfills?

Let us know how big the load is you want to drop off.
Please bundle your tree guards in packs of 50 so we can store them easily. Then we will deliver them to Claw Environmental.
Please ensure tree guards are free from wood, metal, rope or other contamination that is not a core flute
Any questions? Get in touch with our friendly team at StrataGreen to arrange drop-off:
Call us on 1300 866 367 or Email: [email protected]
Let us know what you think, and leave a comment below!