Plastic bags are being given an innovative lease of life at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga as part of a new recycling initiative.CSU Green, the university's sustainability unit, and Kurrajong Recyclers are working together to turn lightweight plastics, such as wrap, films and bags, into building materials.New bins have been placed in CSU's National Life Science Hub (NaLSH) as a collection point for the lightweight plastics.CSU Energy Manager Mr Chris O'Connor said, "The NaLSH generates significant quantities of lightweight plastic throughout the year as it is used in packaging to keep laboratory items sterile."Kurrajong Recyclers is able to process the lightweight plastics and bale the material into one-tonne blocks. The blocks are then sent for shredding and washing, and finally turned into pellets ready for remanufacturing into new products.The low-grade material is then sent to local manufacturers to make materials such as posts, rails or bollards."The recycled products have even been returned to Charles Sturt University for use at the Veterinary Clinical Centre in Wagga Wagga," Mr O'Connor said."Technical Officer from the Faculty of Science Ms Therese Moon came up with the idea to recycle the large amount of lightweight plastic waste in the NaLSH."In the first three months of the new program, seven large bags of materials have been sent for recycling. It's hoped the scheme will be expanded in 2016.CSU has a target of achieving a 70 per cent diversion in waste going to landfill.