Chloe Zhang
Soft plastics are one of the most challenging materials to recycle and often end up in landfills. However, with growing awareness and initiatives, soft plastics can now be recycled at select locations. Soft plastics include plastic bags, wrappers, films, and flexible packaging. To recycle soft plastics, it is essential to ensure they are clean, empty, and dry before dropping them off at designated bins in supermarkets or stores. Some countries and organizations are actively working to improve soft plastic recycling, and individuals can contribute by collecting and responsibly disposing of their soft plastics.
How to collect soft plastics for recycling
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soft plastics | Plastic bags, wrappers, films, packaging |
| Recyclable soft plastics | Bread bags, frozen food bags, crisp packets, pet food pouches, loo roll wrap, chocolate wrappers, bubble wrap, Ziploc bags, biscuit packets, pasta packets |
| Soft plastics recycling schemes | REDcycle, Curby soft plastics scheme, RecycleSmart, NexTrex, Ridwell collection services, TerraCycle, Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme |
| Soft plastics recycling process | Clean, dry, and free of food residue; Drop off at local supermarket or recycling centre; Processed into plastic pellets; Used to make synthetic lumber for decking or park benches, or recycled into another film, pouch, or bag |
| Soft plastics recycling challenges | Soft plastics are difficult to recycle due to contamination with food and different types of plastics; Lack of demand for recycled materials |
| Soft plastics recycling goals | Australia aims for an 80% reduction in plastic waste entering the environment by 2030 and to end plastic pollution by 2040 |
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What You'll Learn
Identify soft plastics: bread bags, frozen food bags, wrappers, etc
Soft plastics are flexible materials that can be scrunched into a ball. They include bread bags, frozen food bags, and wrappers.
Bread bags are a common soft plastic that can be recycled. Frozen food bags, such as those surrounding frozen vegetables, are also recyclable. However, it is important to ensure that these bags are clean and dry before placing them in a recycling bin. Many recycling programs will not accept soft plastics that are dirty or wet, as they can contaminate the entire batch of recyclables.
Wrappers, such as candy bar wrappers, chip bags, and cereal box liners (as long as they don't tear like paper), are also considered soft plastics. These can be recycled, but it is important to check with your local recycling program to ensure they accept these materials. Some programs may have specific requirements for collection, such as placing all bags into one larger bag and tying it at the top.
Other examples of soft plastics that can be recycled include grocery/shopping bags, produce bags, Ziploc/resealable food storage bags, bubble wrap, and plastic shipping envelopes (with labels removed). Again, it is crucial to ensure that these materials are clean, dry, and free of any food residue before placing them in a recycling bin.
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Clean and dry: ensure no food residue is left
When collecting soft plastics for recycling, it is important to ensure that no food residue is left on the items. This is because food residue can attract pests and cause contamination during the recycling process. Here are some tips to ensure your soft plastics are clean and dry:
Firstly, remove any visible food residue from the soft plastics. This can be done by scraping off any remaining food with a spoon, spatula, or similar tool. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe away any residue. If necessary, you can rinse the plastic with water to remove stubborn residue. Ensure that you also remove crumbs and other small particles of food that may be stuck to the plastic.
Once the plastic is free of visible residue, it is important to dry it thoroughly. Moisture can damage the recycling process, so make sure the plastic is completely dry before placing it in the recycling bin. You can use a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb any remaining moisture. Alternatively, you can air-dry the plastics by laying them out on a rack or hanging them up. Ensure that you fully dry the insides of bottles, jars, and containers, as these areas can retain moisture.
If you are recycling plastic bags, shake them out and open them up to ensure that they are completely free of crumbs or residue. You can then fold or roll up the bags to make it easier to transport and store them until you are able to recycle them.
For items such as plastic containers or jars, it is important to remove any labels or stickers, as these can interfere with the recycling process. Soak the item in water to loosen the adhesive, and then scrape or peel off the label. Ensure that you rinse and dry the item afterward to prevent moisture from becoming trapped underneath the label.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your soft plastics are clean and dry, free of food residue, and ready for responsible recycling. Remember that soft plastics require specific recycling procedures, so be sure to locate the appropriate drop-off points or recycling centers that accept these materials.
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Store: keep used plastics together and take in bulk
Storing your soft plastics for recycling is a simple habit that will make a huge difference to our impact on the natural environment. It's best to keep your used plastics together and take them in bulk to a drop-off point. This might be a cupboard under the sink, or a bag by your front door—find a storage system that works for you.
Make sure the plastics are clean, empty, dry, and food-free before dropping them off. This will ensure they are in the best possible condition for recycling. You can recycle all your soft packaging, including plastic bags, wrappers, and films. Examples include bread bags, frozen food bags, crisp packets, pet food pouches, loo roll wrap, chocolate wrappers, bubble wrap, Ziploc bags, and biscuit packets.
In the UK, you can recycle soft plastics at more than 4000 supermarkets. In the US, look for the How2Recycle Store Drop-off label on flexible polyethylene-based plastics. In New Zealand, you can drop off your soft plastics at supermarkets and other stores, and there is also a trial into kerbside collections. In Australia, check with your local council, as solutions are still being worked on.
Remember, soft plastics are one of the most difficult materials to recycle, so it's important to store and drop them off correctly to ensure they don't end up in landfills.
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Drop-off points: find local recycling centres or supermarket bins
When it comes to recycling soft plastics, it's important to know what can be recycled and where to take it. Soft plastics include plastic bags, plastic food wrap, food packaging such as pasta, rice and cereal bags, and bubble wrap. These items cannot be recycled in your regular household recycling bin.
To recycle soft plastics, you can take them to local drop-off points, such as supermarkets, shopping centres, and some participating home, retail and hardware stores. In Australia, look out for REDcycle soft plastic recycling bins at these locations. In New Zealand, keep an eye out for the green and white soft plastic recycling bins at supermarkets and other stores. Before dropping off your soft plastics, ensure they are clean, empty, and dry.
Some other items that can be recycled at these drop-off points include batteries, light bulbs, e-waste (phones, computers, TVs), and hazardous waste such as chemicals, paint, and gas canisters. These items should be separated and taken to a designated drop-off location, such as a local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility.
You can find your nearest drop-off point by searching online for local recycling centres or using websites such as www.recycleright.wa.gov.au.
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National schemes: check for country-specific recycling programs
National schemes vary, and some countries are leading the way in terms of their recycling rates and waste management. For example, Germany has reduced its total waste by 1 million tons per year, and recycles 66% of its waste, with a 3% recycling rate back in 1991. Germany's policies include holding companies responsible for whether their packaging is recyclable, and consumers are then responsible for the disposal of goods. The Green Dot policy also means that all recycled packaging must be marked and approved.
Sweden has long been a pioneer in recycling, with policies promoting the sustainable management of waste. Sweden also has a strong circular economy focus, with the majority of waste products being upcycled and recovered. Sweden started its famous bottle recycling system in 1984, and the country had a 49% recycling rate in 2019.
South Korea has an impressive waste recycling system, with citizens separating waste and food waste before disposal. Food waste fees have been implemented, with households paying a small monthly charge for biodegradable food waste bags. This has seen a huge increase in food waste recycling, from 2% in 1995 to 95% in 2020.
Austria has one of the highest recycling rates globally, with 96% of the population separating waste into the correct categories. Austria has banned certain waste types from landfills and has also banned plastic bags.
The city of Curitiba in Brazil has an impressive scheme, with over 70% of waste recycled. This scheme provides jobs for the community and helps those from lower-class communities with tokens given in exchange for food and transport.
Some countries have specific soft plastics recycling programs, such as New Zealand, which has soft plastics recycling bins in supermarkets and stores.
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Frequently asked questions
Soft plastics include plastic bags, wrappers, and films. Examples include bread bags, frozen food bags, crisp packets, pet food pouches, loo roll wrap, chocolate wrappers, bubble wrap, Ziploc bags, and biscuit packets.
First, collect all the soft plastic packaging you use at home. Make sure the bags are clean, empty, and dry. Then, drop them into the Soft Plastics Recycling bins at supermarkets and other stores.
If your soft plastics have been in contact with food, make sure they are as clean as possible before dropping them off for recycling.
You can recycle your soft plastics at your local supermarket or a local soft plastic recycling drop-off centre.
