Research reveals demand for soft plastics recycling

Planet Ark is working with SPSA to help design a strong, credible and efficient soft plastics recycling scheme that works across the whole supply chain.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): New research has shown strong public demand for soft plastics recycling as environmental organisation Planet Ark’s flagship campaign – National Recycling Week – kicks off for 2025.

The research, commissioned by Planet Ark, has revealed that 79 per cent of Australians believe having a soft plastics recycling scheme in Australia is important, highlighting strong community appetite for solutions following the collapse of the REDcycle program.

REDcycle, Australia’s largest soft plastic recycling program, collapsed in November 2022 leading to the suspension of collections and the accumulation of about 11,000 tonnes of stockpiled soft plastics across 44 locations.

New data has shown that while most Australians continue to value recycling highly, there are shifts in public knowledge and expectations about how recycling systems should operate.

Notably, 69 per cent of survey respondents believe councils should collect soft plastics in kerbside bins, while 76 per cent think drop-off locations should also be available in convenient locations like supermarkets.

Planet Ark said this suggests Australians want convenient recycling options at home but also recognise the role of producers and retailers in taking greater responsibility for managing packaging waste.

The research also revealed ongoing generational differences in recycling knowledge.

Australians over 35 demonstrated stronger understanding of what can and cannot be recycled at home compared to younger Australians under 35, who were more likely to make common mistakes such as putting batteries in household recycling bins.

Overall knowledge of non-recyclable items has improved, suggesting contamination rates may be decreasing nationally.

To manage the 300,000 plus tonnes of soft plastic Australian households are currently sending to landfill each year, Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA) was created in 2024.

SPSA builds on the work of the Soft Plastics Taskforce, which was convened by Coles, Woolworths and Aldi to address REDcycle’s legacy waste.

The SPSA’s founding members include the major supermarkets, along with manufacturers Nestlé, Mars, McCormick Foods and more.

Planet Ark is working with SPSA to help design a strong, credible and efficient soft plastics recycling scheme that works across the whole supply chain.

Adam Culley, Chief Executive Officer of Planet Ark, said the findings reflect a community ready to embrace better recycling systems if the right infrastructure and information are provided.

“Australians clearly want to do the right thing, they just need clear, consistent systems and information that makes recycling easy and effective,” said Culley.

“The message from the public is that they expect industry, retailers and government to work together to close the loop on soft plastics.

“With collaboration and investment, we can rebuild public confidence and deliver the circular solutions people are calling for.”

National Recycling Week runs from 10–16 November.

 Courtesy: www.wastemanagementreview.com.au