Ethan Clarke
Coles, an Australian supermarket chain, has been working with its sustainability partner REDcycle to recycle plastic bags and soft plastic packaging since 2011. However, in 2022, REDcycle stopped accepting new soft plastics for recycling, and in February 2023, it was declared insolvent. This has caused confusion among customers, as many products still display outdated recycling advice. Coles has introduced initiatives to reduce waste and encourage reusable packaging, such as FSC® Certified 100% recycled paper bags, and aims to have all Own Brand product packaging be 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025. While Coles is working towards finding an alternative solution for soft plastics recycling, customers are currently encouraged to put soft plastics in their home rubbish bins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coles' soft plastics recycling program | REDcycle |
| Launch year | 2011 |
| Number of pieces of soft plastics diverted from landfill | 1 billion |
| Average monthly collection | 121 tonnes or 30 million pieces of plastic |
| Status of REDcycle program | Suspended |
| Reason for suspension | Unforeseen challenges exacerbated by the pandemic |
| Alternative solution | Working with government, industry, and sustainability partners |
| Customer encouragement | Use of FSC® Certified 100% recycled, reusable paper bags |
| Future plans | All Coles Own Brand packaging will carry the ARL by 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Coles' REDcycle program
Coles has been working with its sustainability partner REDcycle to recycle plastic bags and soft plastic packaging since 2011. The REDcycle program allowed consumers to return soft plastics to Coles and Woolworths stores for recycling in Australia. Coles had REDcycle bins in every one of their stores.
The program collected an average of 121 tonnes or 30 million pieces of plastic every month, diverting more than one billion pieces of soft plastics from landfill. Soft plastic packaging such as lolly bags, frozen food bags, and bread, rice and pasta bags can’t be recycled through most kerbside recycling services.
However, due to several unforeseen challenges, including the pandemic and a lack of specialised soft plastic recycling capacity in Australia, REDcycle’s recycling partners have temporarily stopped accepting and processing soft plastics. This put pressure on the REDcycle business model, and in 2022, REDcycle stopped accepting new material. It was declared insolvent in February 2023.
Coles has displayed customer notices about the collapse of REDcycle and advised that customers can no longer return soft plastics to their stores. Coles is committed to its Together to Zero waste ambition and is working with government, industry, and sustainability partners to find an alternative sustainable solution.
Coles has also introduced FSC® Certified 100% recycled, reusable paper bags to encourage customers to move to reusable packing. They are also working towards all Own Brand product packaging being 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025.
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Coles' sustainability goals
Coles has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability and waste reduction in several ways. Since 2011, Coles has worked with its sustainability partner REDcycle to recycle plastic bags and soft plastic packaging, diverting more than one billion pieces of soft plastics from landfills. This program allowed customers to return soft plastics to Coles stores, where they were collected and transformed into a range of recycled products, such as outdoor furniture for community groups.
However, in 2022, REDcycle stopped accepting new materials due to unforeseen challenges, and in November 2022, they temporarily halted their soft plastics collection program. Coles has assured its customers that it is actively working with the government, industry, and sustainability partners to find an alternative sustainable solution. In the meantime, customers are encouraged to put soft plastics in their home rubbish bins, as they cannot be recycled through most kerbside recycling services.
Coles has also introduced other initiatives to reduce waste and encourage reusable packaging. They offer FSC® Certified 100% recycled, reusable paper bags for purchase, which can be recycled in kerbside bins. Additionally, they are working towards making all Own Brand product packaging 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025, and plan to implement the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) on all Coles Own Brand packaging by the same year. This label will provide clear guidance to customers on how to dispose of packaging components according to different waste streams.
Furthermore, Coles has partnered with food rescue organizations such as SecondBite and Foodbank to reduce food waste. They distribute edible, unsold food to those in need and have also donated over 13 million kilograms of fruit, vegetables, and bakery products to livestock farmers and animal shelters in the last financial year. These initiatives demonstrate Coles' dedication to sustainability and its "Together to Zero Waste" ambition.
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Soft plastics recycling alternatives
Soft plastics recycling is a complex process, and the recent discontinuation of the REDcycle program has left a gap in Australia's soft plastic recycling capabilities. However, there are alternative programs and initiatives that individuals can turn to for soft plastics recycling.
One option is to utilise local resources and online tools, such as Recycling Near You and Cleanaway Recycling Hub, to identify specialised recycling facilities for soft plastics in your area. Participating in local recycling initiatives and programs can also help individuals find appropriate collection points for soft plastics.
In New Zealand, residents can recycle their soft plastic collections through the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme. This scheme provides specific bins at supermarkets and other stores for clean, dry, and empty soft plastic bags and packaging. It is important to note that food scraps and liquids can contaminate other bags in the bin, and metal objects can damage the processing plant.
In certain councils in New South Wales, Australia, a program called Curby offers limited soft plastic recycling options. Additionally, the Australian government has set recycling targets for 2025, including making packaging 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
To reduce soft plastic waste, individuals can adopt reusable alternatives and sustainable shopping habits. Coles, for example, has introduced FSC® Certified 100% recycled, reusable paper bags to encourage customers to move away from single-use soft plastics. By choosing products with minimal packaging and supporting eco-friendly brands, individuals can significantly reduce their soft plastic usage and promote a greener future.
Advanced recycling technologies, such as thermal and biological processes, also present potential solutions for managing soft plastic waste. Thermal processes, such as pyrolysis and gasification, can convert plastic waste into alternative fuels, chemical building blocks, and energy. Biological processes, like alcoholysis and biodegradation, use microorganisms to break down plastic waste sustainably and efficiently.
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Customer confusion over recycling
Since 2011, Coles has worked with sustainability partner REDcycle to recycle plastic bags and soft plastic packaging. However, in 2022, REDcycle stopped accepting new material and was declared insolvent in February 2023. This has caused confusion among customers, as the packaging on some home brand products still indicates that soft plastics can be recycled, even though most customers no longer have access to the service. Coles has displayed customer notices about the collapse of REDcycle, but the outdated recycling advice on some products has led to criticism from sustainability experts and concerns about the company's credibility.
Coles has introduced initiatives to reduce waste and encourage customers to use reusable packaging, such as FSC® Certified 100% recycled, reusable paper bags. They are also working towards making all Own Brand product packaging 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025. In addition, Coles is rolling out the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL), which will be on all Coles Own Brand packaging by 2025. The ARL provides clear guidance on how to dispose of different packaging components according to various waste streams.
Despite these efforts, there is still confusion among customers about recycling soft plastics. Coles has advised customers to put soft plastics in their home rubbish bins, not their kerbside recycling bins. However, some customers may be unsure about whether to recycle or bin soft plastics, especially if they have outdated packaging with conflicting advice. It is important for Coles to provide clear and consistent messaging to its customers to reduce confusion and ensure that soft plastics are disposed of properly.
To address this issue, Coles is working to update its Own Brand product packaging artwork to remove and replace redundant REDcycle and 'Return to Store' ARL messaging. The new packaging will feature the 'Check Locally' or 'Bin' logo, directing customers to check with their local waste processors to determine if a product can be recycled. This initiative aims to provide clearer guidance to customers and reduce the confusion caused by outdated recycling advice on soft plastic packaging.
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Soft plastics recycling trials
Coles has been working with its sustainability partner REDcycle to recycle plastic bags and soft plastic packaging since 2011. However, due to unforeseen challenges, REDcycle's recycling partners stopped accepting and processing soft plastics in 2022, leading to the suspension of the REDcycle program.
In response, Coles has expressed its commitment to finding an alternative sustainable solution for soft plastics recycling. They are working with the government, industry, and sustainability partners to achieve this goal. Coles has also introduced reusable paper bags and aims for all its Own Brand product packaging to be 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025.
To address the lack of specialised soft plastic recycling capacity in Australia, a Soft Plastics Recycling Trial has been initiated in 12 Melbourne suburbs. This trial aims to test the pilot model, processes, and capacity of the recycling operators. Soft plastics will be collected from each store, sorted, weighed, and processed into various products. The trial's results will be monitored to determine when in-store soft plastic collections can be expanded to new supermarkets.
During the trial, it is important that only small volumes of soft plastics are deposited in the bins to avoid overwhelming the recyclers. Contamination is also a critical issue, as non-soft plastics may result in the bin's contents becoming unrecyclable. Customers outside the trial area are urged not to bring soft plastics to non-participating stores, as these stores lack access to specialised recycling streams.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Coles does not currently recycle soft plastics. Since 9 November 2022, Coles has stopped accepting soft plastic recycling returns in stores and through Coles Online.
Coles' sustainability partner, REDcycle, stopped accepting and processing soft plastics due to unforeseen challenges. Coles is working on finding an alternative sustainable solution.
Customers are encouraged to put their soft plastics in their home rubbish bins. Do not put soft plastics in your home kerbside recycling bin as it is not recyclable in this system.
The REDcycle program, launched in 2011, allowed consumers to return soft plastics to Coles and Woolworths stores for recycling. The program has since stopped accepting new material and was declared insolvent in February 2023.
Soft plastics recycling facilities by Close the Loop and CRDC Global have opened in Melbourne, marking an increase in local recycling capacity. A soft plastics recycling trial has also started in 12 Melbourne suburbs, with more facilities expected to open in the next 12-18 months.
