Plastic pollution threatens human health, affects food and water safety, hampers economic activity, and contributes to global climate change. Australia produces more single-use plastic waste per capita than any other country, and soft plastics are a significant part of the problem. Though they may represent a relatively small portion of the total waste stream by weight, their prevalence and unique challenges make soft plastics exceptionally problematic. Soft plastics can include plastic carrier bags, cling film, bread and cereal bags, magazine wrap, and shrink wrap (to package multi-pack products like drink containers or tinned food). It's not usually accepted because it can get caught in sorting machinery at recycling facilities.
Soft plastics often feature multi-layered designs and can be easily contaminated with food or liquid, so they're difficult to process with standard recycling equipment. Finding a genuine solution for recycling soft plastics at scale is hard, if not impossible. As soft plastics degrade, they fragment into tiny particles that contaminate ecosystems, raising concerns about wildlife and human health. Soft plastics can be easily dispersed by winds and water currents, contributing to widespread environmental pollution. Notwithstanding consumer awareness campaigns and regulations, there are more soft plastics in circulation than ever.
When REDcycle Collapsed In 2022, Australia Was Left Without A Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme
In 2011, the REDcycle program was developed to make it easy for consumers to keep plastic bags and packaging out of landfills, transforming a seemingly daunting task into one that's both accessible and engaging. It was a collaborative effort between manufacturers, retailers, and consumers to ensure proper recycling and disposal of soft plastic packaging after consumer use. REDcycle operated across countless Coles and Woolworths supermarkets, as well as some Aldi stores, where customers could deposit their grocery bags or food wrappers into specially marked bins. These materials were aggregated and sent to recycling facilities to be processed and transformed into new products.
Following the cessation of REDcycle's activities in November 2022, many Australian consumers are looking for effective ways to recycle soft plastics. It seems that a large volume of collected soft plastics had been stored away rather than recycled because REDcycle's processing partners and the overall recycling infrastructure in Australia couldn't keep up with the influx of single-use plastics. Put simply, there wasn't sufficient specialized equipment (or facilities) to handle the increasing amounts of soft plastics. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) encouraged Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi to collaborate and take control of the problem. The 11,000 stockpile has been reportedly halved to 5,500 tons.
Major Aussie Supermarkets To Continue Their Soft Plastics Recycling Collaboration
The abrupt discontinuation of the soft plastics recycling scheme left many consumers disappointed as they believed their small efforts would divert waste from landfills and contribute to a sustainable recycling loop. When the REDcycle program was suspended, it became clear the collected plastics had been amassed for months in warehouses rather than being transformed into new products. The good news is that some Australian companies and organizations are working on solutions. For example, in Melbourne, the Soft Plastics Taskforce is introducing new recycling bins in supermarkets in 12 suburbs. In essence, it provides in-store bins where customers can bring back their packaging waste for it to be recycled.
The ACCC first authorized the Soft Plastics Taskforce (Taskforce) in November 2022, upon REDcycle's dissolution, to restore public access to post-consumer soft plastics recycling. The Taskforce, which comprises Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi, has been meeting regularly since December 2022, and the meetings are led by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). The ACCC has allowed the prominent supermarkets to continue their cooperative initiative for soft plastics recycling until July 31, 2026. While efforts are made to accelerate in-store collections, local processing capacity must be dedicated to the existing stockpile to prevent further delays.
Since The Capacity To Recycle All Soft Plastics Isn't A Reality, This Is Only A Trial
Soft plastic recycling will resume in late June under the management of the Soft Plastics Taskforce. The elimination of non-essential single-use plastics is critical because soft plastics are the fastest-growing plastic packaging category and the most challenging to address on the journey towards a circular economy. Many in the recycling industry view soft plastics as contaminants and don't try to recycle them at all. The joint venture from the DCCEEW and the ACCC is making forceful efforts to recycle legacy soft plastics. The members of the Taskforce confirmed that in Victoria, plastics processing will be completed by the end of 2025. As for South Australia, the expected date is the first half of 2026.
Recycling Soft Plastics Is A Win For The Circular Economy, But It's Not Enough
Recycling soft plastics reduces the demand for virgin materials like petroleum, minimizes waste, and guarantees that materials are used to their fullest potential, which is a cornerstone of the circular economy. Moreover, a robust post-consumer soft plastics recycling scheme can stimulate innovation and foster new business opportunities, creating jobs and driving economic growth. According to Miltek Australia, while some advancements in recycling technology can be explored, endlessly recycling single-use plastics isn't a practical or feasible solution. Soft plastics pose a toxicity risk due to the presence of carcinogens, neurotoxic chemicals, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The waste recovery process can release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and also generate microplastics.
As recycling isn't a plausible option, it's necessary to consider eliminating soft plastics, reducing our reliance on it, and exploring sustainable alternatives to protect the environment and human health. Australian state and territory governments can set their own targets for reducing single-use plastic production, and the Commonwealth Government should enforce clear, binding regulations to dramatically curb pollution. While completely phasing out soft plastics is a complex undertaking due to its role in many industries, it's not beyond the realm of possibility. The Federal Government should be bold and ambitious.
Concluding Remarks
The Soft Plastics Taskforce's new trial will kick off in 1000 Woolworths locations across New South Wales, with plans to expand to an additional 500 stores by the end of June. It's a good start, but it's essential to work on the details to make the soft plastics recycling scheme successful.
