Alexei Volkov
Plastic pollution is a significant environmental threat in Australia, with plastic bags being a major contributor. While plastic bags can technically be recycled, they are often not recycled due to a lack of proper disposal and recycling infrastructure. This has led to plastic bags ending up in landfills and the environment, causing harm to wildlife and ecosystems. To address this issue, Australian states and territories have implemented various initiatives, such as banning single-use plastic bags and charging fees for plastic bags, to reduce plastic bag consumption and encourage recycling. This article will explore the challenges and solutions associated with recycling plastic bags in Australia and provide insights into the country's efforts to combat plastic pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags recyclable? | Yes |
| Plastic bags recycled? | Only 3% of plastic bags used in Australia are recycled |
| Plastic bags recycled at home? | No |
| Plastic bags in household recycling bins | Can contaminate the recycling and cause problems at recycling facilities by getting entangled in the machinery |
| Plastic bags in garbage bins | May blow away from landfills and enter the environment, where wildlife can become entangled in them or mistake them for food |
| Plastic bags in landfills | Take between 15 to 1,000 years to break down |
| Plastic bags in oceans | Break down into smaller pieces and are often eaten by fish and other marine animals |
| Plastic bags alternative | Reusable shopping bags |
| Plastic bags disposal | Tie them in a knot before throwing them away to limit the chance of them blowing out of a bin or landfill |
| Plastic bags recycling bins | Available at select Woolworths stores in Sydney, some councils in the Greater Sydney region, and various supermarkets and recycling centres |
| Plastic bags recycling colour | Clear plastic is preferred by China, the primary processor of Australian recycling |
| Plastic bags recycling codes | RICs or numbers embossed on plastic items, categorise plastics based on their chemical makeup and impact how they are recycled |
| Plastic bags recycling tips | Rinse and reuse plastic bags for as long as possible, e.g. as bin liners or for picking up pet waste |
| Plastic bags recycling challenges | Thin plastic films can cause significant issues in recycling machinery, leading to operational disruptions and increased costs |
| Plastic bags phase-out | Biodegradable and degradable plastic bags are not encouraged by the government as they are not a solution to plastic bag litter |
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What You'll Learn
Soft plastics recycling
Challenges and Disruptions
The recycling of soft plastics in Australia has encountered several challenges and disruptions. One major issue was the collapse of REDcycle in 2022, a national soft plastics recycling program with a significant presence in supermarkets across the country. This left a substantial amount of stockpiled soft plastic waste and highlighted the shortcomings of Australia's recycling infrastructure. While new drop-off and collection initiatives have emerged, participants acknowledge that Australia's recycling capacity is still limited, hindering the return to a comprehensive national collection scheme.
Supermarket Initiatives
Major supermarket chains such as Woolworths, Coles, and ALDI have played a role in soft plastics recycling. They were partners with REDcycle and are now implementing their own collection schemes, albeit on a more limited scale. These supermarkets provide dedicated bins near their front doors for customers to deposit their soft plastics. The collected plastics are then sent for repurposing or recycling.
Government and Council Involvement
State and federal governments are actively supporting soft plastics recycling. They provide financial grants to recycling companies to enhance their soft plastic processing capabilities. Additionally, some councils are offering soft plastics recycling services. For instance, councils in the Greater Sydney region collaborate with RecycleSmart to offer free collection of soft plastics. Other initiatives include Curby, which provides branded bags and tags to facilitate the separation of soft plastics during the recycling process.
Recycling Process
The soft plastics collected through these initiatives undergo a specific recycling process. They are first compacted and stored at consolidation points until there is enough to fill a truck. The plastics are then baled, loaded onto pallets, and transported to a facility in Victoria. At the facility, the plastics are shredded, fed into a pyrolysis machine, and converted into feedstock oil through a unique corkscrew conveyor system. The feedstock oil undergoes further processing at a refinery.
Alternatives and Solutions
Given the challenges associated with soft plastics recycling, alternative solutions are being explored. One approach is waste-to-energy conversion, where plastic is converted into fuel sources such as gas or oil through high-temperature processes. This method is employed in countries like Japan, Germany, and Sweden, which have higher plastic-waste management indexes. However, the conversion process can release greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals, and it generates microplastics.
To reduce the reliance on soft plastics, some countries have implemented fees for plastic bags or banned single-use plastic bags altogether. Australia has also seen a ban on single-use plastic bags in several states and territories, encouraging the use of reusable shopping bags.
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Plastic bag waste reduction
Plastic bags are a major source of waste and pollution in Australia and worldwide. Plastic bags can be seen stuck in trees, floating in waterways, and as litter in neighbourhoods. They do not biodegrade and persist for years, causing significant harm to wildlife. Birds often mistake shredded plastic bags for food, filling their stomachs with toxic debris. Sea turtles cannot distinguish between jellyfish and floating plastic bags, and fish eat thousands of tons of plastic per year, transferring it up the food chain to bigger fish and marine mammals. Plastic bags also break down into microplastics, which are consumed by people through food and air.
To address this issue, Australia has implemented various measures to reduce plastic bag waste. Single-use plastic bags have been banned in several states and territories, including South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory. Other states, such as Western Australia, Queensland, and Victoria, are also planning to introduce similar bans. Major supermarket chains, such as Coles and Woolworths, have also stopped providing single-use plastic bags to customers.
The National Plastics Recycling Scheme (NPRS) project offers specialised recycling services for soft plastics in certain regions, such as the Greater Sydney area and the City of Newcastle. Some councils are also offering soft plastics recycling services, so it is worth checking with your local council. Additionally, businesses and workplaces with large quantities of soft plastics can find recycling services through Business Recycling.
Individuals can play a crucial role in reducing plastic bag waste by adopting reusable bags whenever possible. Keep reusable bags in your car or attach folding reusable bags to your commuting bag or purse. Regularly washing and thoroughly drying your reusable bags allows you to reuse them multiple times. When disposing of plastic bags, it is important to keep them out of your household recycling bin as they can contaminate recycling streams and cause entanglement issues in machinery. Instead, tie the bags in a knot before throwing them away to prevent them from blowing out of bins or landfills.
Other alternatives to plastic bags include using recycled paper bags, old newspapers, or biodegradable dog poo bags available at local pet shops or progressive councils. Composting units can help minimise wet waste and food scraps, reducing the need for plastic bin liners. By making conscious choices and supporting recycling initiatives, individuals can actively contribute to plastic bag waste reduction in Australia.
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Degradable plastic bags
Plastic waste and pollution are a significant problem in Australia and worldwide. Soft plastics, including plastic bags, can easily be blown away from landfills and enter the environment, where wildlife can become entangled in them or mistake them for food. As a result, plastic bags can have devastating effects on marine life when they break down into smaller pieces in the ocean.
In Australia, plastic bags are a major contributor to landfill waste, and they can also cause problems in recycling plants when placed in household recycling bins. Soft plastics can contaminate recycling and degrade the quality of the materials once they are recycled. They can also become tangled in machinery. As a result, soft plastics should not be placed in household recycling bins.
To address the issue of plastic bag waste, major supermarket chains in Australia, such as Coles and Woolworths, have discontinued providing single-use plastic shopping bags to customers. Additionally, single-use plastic bags have been banned in several Australian states and territories, including South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory. Other states, such as Western Australia, Queensland, and Victoria, are expected to implement similar bans in the future.
Some alternatives to plastic bags are biodegradable bags, which are made from plant-based bioplastics, and compostable bags, which are made from materials like kraft paper or EcoVio® resin. However, it is important to note that biodegradable bags are not suitable for recycling and are best disposed of in landfills. They can survive long enough to pose a threat to animals if littered and may break down into small pieces that animals mistake for food. Compostable bags, on the other hand, are intended for commercial compost facilities, which may not be available in all areas.
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Plastic recycling codes
Plastic bags are a significant contributor to waste pollution in Australia and worldwide. In Australia, plastic bags are banned in South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia, and Queensland. Victoria will also be implementing a ban.
Soft plastics, including plastic bags, should not be put in household recycling bins as they can contaminate the recycling and cause problems at recycling facilities by becoming entangled in the machinery. However, some councils in Australia are offering soft plastics recycling services, so it is worth checking with your local council.
Recycling symbols, such as the chasing arrows symbol, indicate whether packaging can be recycled. These symbols are based on what the majority of local authorities collect or do not collect for recycling. However, the presence of a recycling symbol does not always mean that an item can be recycled and may instead indicate that it is capable of being recycled.
The Resin Identification Code (RIC) is a number enclosed by the chasing arrows symbol, which tells plastic manufacturers what type of plastic a container is made from. The RIC does not address the recyclability of the product, and consumers should not assume that items with this symbol are recyclable.
There are seven different plastic codes, each indicating a different type of plastic:
- PET: One of the most widely recycled plastics in the world, used in many food containers. Clear PET has a high recycling market value as it can be turned into products of similar quality. rPET indicates that the container is made from recycled PET.
- HDPE: Another widely recycled plastic, used for cleaning or personal care products due to its durability and resistance to most solvents. It is one of the few plastics that can be recycled onshore and has a high market value as it can be recycled multiple times.
- PVC: A durable plastic that is not easily impacted by sunlight, water, or harsh conditions. Recycling of PVC is increasing, but there is a limited market for recycled PVC as it is not as durable.
- LDPE: Used to create most soft plastic products, LDPE is lightweight, relatively non-toxic, and popular for food use. However, it is often only used for single-use applications and is difficult to recycle through kerbside collections.
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Plastic bag alternatives
Plastic bags are incredibly harmful to the planet and its human and animal populations. They can form tiny toxic particles that contaminate soil and waterways, and animals and sea life are often killed by ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in it.
In Australia, plastic waste and pollution are a significant issue. It is estimated that five trillion plastic bags are used globally each year, with each bag being used for just a few minutes before being discarded. These single-use plastic bags can take between 15 to 1,000 years to break down and often end up in landfills or the ocean. To combat this, some states in Australia have banned single-use plastic bags, and others plan to implement this change soon.
- Reusable shopping bags: These can be made from materials like cotton or mesh and are washable and sturdy.
- Recycled paper bags: These can be used for various purposes, such as storing leftovers in the fridge or collecting pet waste.
- Biodegradable bags: These bags decompose within 3 to 6 months and can be used for trash liners or pet waste. However, they might not be suitable for recycling and could pose a threat to animals if littered.
- Composting: By composting food waste, you can reduce the need for trash liners and plastic bags.
- Stasher bags: These reusable bags come in different sizes and can be used for storing food or packing lunches.
- Tupperware: Reusable Tupperware containers can replace plastic bags for storing food or packing lunches.
- Silicone: Some people use silicone baking cups as dividers in lunchboxes or as an alternative to plastic baggies.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic bags are recyclable. However, only 3% of plastic bags used in Australia are recycled.
Plastic bags cannot be put in your household recycling bin as they can cause problems at recycling plants by getting tangled in the machinery. Some local councils are trialling collections of plastic bags, so check with your local council. Many supermarkets and recycling centres have designated bins for collecting plastic bags.
Soft plastics are plastics that can be scrunched in your hand, including plastic bags.
Biodegradable bags are not suited to recycling. They are best suited to landfill disposal but can survive long enough to be a threat to animals if they are littered. Degradable plastic bags break down into smaller pieces which may be eaten by animals.
