Navigating the Soft Plastics Recycling Challenge

Soft plastics – those ubiquitous bread bags, chip packets, and cling films – are a recycling conundrum. Unlike rigid plastics like bottles and containers, soft plastics can’t enter your regular yellow recycling bin. This is because they can clog up the machinery at recycling facilities, causing disruptions and contamination.

So, what were we to do with this ever-growing mountain of scrunchable, crinkly waste? Many Australians diligently collected their soft plastics for years and dropped them into the familiar REDcycle bins at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets. Knowing that this troublesome waste wasn’t destined for landfill felt good. But then, the program came to a sudden halt, leaving many confused and concerned about the fate of their soft plastics.

The Soft Plastics Problem: A Global Challenge

The issue of soft plastic waste extends far beyond our shores. Globally, only a tiny percentage of soft plastics are recycled, with much of it ending up in landfills, incinerated, or, worse, polluting our oceans and harming wildlife.

For a while, Australia found a solution by exporting its plastic waste to countries like China for processing. However, this practice raised ethical concerns about exporting our environmental burden to other nations and relying on unsustainable waste management practices. In 2018, China implemented the National Sword policy, which significantly restricted the import of foreign waste, including plastic scrap. This forced many countries, including Australia, to rethink their waste management strategies and find more sustainable solutions for recycling plastic waste.

REDcycle: A Homegrown Solution

In 2011, a homegrown solution emerged in the form of REDcycle. Launched by Liz Kasell, who saw an opportunity to tackle the growing problem of soft plastic waste, REDcycle partnered with Coles and Woolworths to provide a convenient way for consumers to recycle their soft plastics. The program quickly gained popularity, with those distinctive red bins becoming a fixture in supermarkets nationwide.

At its peak, REDcycle collected a staggering 5 million pieces of soft plastic daily, diverting millions of kilograms of waste from landfills each year. This plastic was processed and turned into various products, including park benches, fences, and road infrastructure.

The Unforeseen Halt

In November 2022, REDcycle abruptly announced the suspension of its program. This came as a shock to many, leaving mountains of collected soft plastics stranded in supermarket storerooms.

So, what went wrong? Several factors contributed to the program’s suspension:

• Overwhelmed by Success: The sheer volume of soft plastics collected exceeded the capacity of REDcycle's processing partners to handle the material.

• Contamination Issues: A significant proportion of the collected plastic was contaminated with food residue, other materials, or non-recyclable plastics, making it difficult to process.

• Lack of End Markets: A limited market for recycled soft plastic made it challenging to find sustainable and economically viable uses for the material.

The Current Status and Future Outlook

A Soft Plastics Taskforce was formed in the wake of REDcycle’s suspension. This task force comprises major supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi) and packaging industry stakeholders, and it's working with the Australian government to find a sustainable solution for soft plastic recycling.

The task force has taken responsibility for the 11,000 tonnes of soft plastic left in storage when REDcycle ceased operations. In February 2024, the task force launched a small-scale trial of a new soft plastics collection program. This trial involves 12 supermarkets in Melbourne (5 Coles, 5 Woolworths, 2 Aldi), where customers can drop off their soft plastics. The trial aims to gather data on the volume and types of plastic collection and test new recycling systems. The trial is expected to inform the development of a longer-term, industry-wide recycling scheme.

What Can You Do?

While REDcycle is on pause, keeping those soft plastics out of landfills is crucial. Some councils offer a kerbside collection of soft plastics. Check with your local council for details and participate if your council offers this service. Here are a few examples from Victoria:

• Indigo Shire Council: Indigo Shire is running a 12-month soft plastics kerbside recycling trial. (https://www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/Residents/My-Property/Bins-rubbish-and-recycling/Soft-Plastics-Kerbside-Collection-Pilot)

• Monash City Council offers soft plastic recycling options for its residents (https://www.monash.vic.gov.au/About-Us/News/Monash-first-to-deliver-soft-plastics-recycling-option-for-residents-following-suspension-of-RedCycle).

• Macedon Ranges Shire Council: Macedon Ranges is also trialling a soft plastics recycling program. (https://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Live-Work/Bins-Rubbish-Recycling/Bins-and-collection-days/Shire-wide-soft-plastic-recycling-pilot])

The most effective way to tackle the soft plastic problem is to reduce our reliance on it in the first place.

Strategies for Reducing Soft Plastic Waste

• Shop Smart: Choose products with minimal packaging or packaging made from recyclable materials.

• Bring Your Own Bags: Always carry reusable shopping bags and produce bags.

• Choose Loose Produce: Avoid pre-packaged fruits and vegetables whenever possible.

• Support Businesses with Sustainable Practices: Choose to support businesses actively reducing their reliance on soft plastics.

The Future of Soft Plastic Recycling

The suspension of REDcycle has highlighted the urgent need for a sustainable and robust solution for soft plastic recycling in Australia. While the future of REDcycle remains uncertain, it has sparked important conversations and collaborations within the industry. By staying informed, reducing our consumption, and supporting innovative recycling initiatives, we can all contribute to a future where soft plastics are truly recycled and kept out of our environment.