Sofia Martinez
Soft plastics are one of the most difficult materials to recycle. However, it is possible to recycle them at home. Soft plastics include biscuit wrappers, plastic bags, garbage bags, chip packets, and salad mix packets. They can be recycled at dedicated drop-off points, usually located at supermarkets or retail stores, or through home collection systems. Some councils also offer soft plastic recycling facilities or collection from your home. It is important to ensure that the plastic is clean, dry, and empty before recycling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soft plastics | Biscuit wrappers, plastic bags, garbage bags, chip packets, salad mix packets, bubble wrap, cellophane, cereal box liners, zip lock bags, etc. |
| Recycling soft plastics at home | REDcycle, RecycleSmart, Zero Waste Box, TerraCycle, retail stores, drop-off centers, local council recycling facilities |
| Issues with recycling soft plastics | Not accepted at most recycling centers, clogging machines, contamination of other recyclables |
| Tips for recycling soft plastics | Check with local recycling entity, keep soft plastics clean and dry, avoid plastic bags for recyclables, do not recycle plastic flower pots |
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What You'll Learn
Identify soft plastics: wrappers, bags, packets, film packaging, etc
Soft plastics are a common packaging material that can consist of one or multiple types of plastics, often layered with other materials like aluminium and cardboard. They are usually made from one of three types of plastics: Low-density Polyethene (LDPE), High-density Polyethene (HDPE) or Polypropylene (PP). Soft plastics are lightweight, durable, and extremely cost-effective to manufacture and transport. They are used for a variety of packaging, including wrappers, bags, packets, and film packaging.
Common items that include soft plastic films are bread bags, grocery bags, bubble wrap, and various plastic wrappers for food items. Soft plastics are also used in ice packs and carton insulation. While soft plastics have many positive attributes, they can be unsustainable and harmful to the environment if not recycled correctly.
To identify soft plastics, look for plastic that is 'soft' in structure and can be scrunched up without bouncing back. You can also look for recycling symbols on the plastic, which indicate the resin identification code (RIC). The RIC is a number from 1 to 7 that corresponds to a specific type of plastic resin. For example, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) is marked with a 1, and High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) is marked with a 2.
Additionally, you can perform some simple tests at home to identify the type of plastic. One test is the density test: cut a small piece of plastic and drop it into a glass of water. If it sinks, it is likely HDPE or PVC. If it floats, it is probably PET or LDPE. Another test is the burn test: use a lighter or match to burn a small piece of plastic and observe the flame colour and smell. For example, if it burns with a yellow flame and smells like burning candles or wood, it is likely Polystyrene (PS). You can also perform a scratch test: use your fingernail or a knife to scratch the surface of the plastic. If it leaves a mark easily, it is likely LDPE or PP; if it does not leave a mark, it is probably PET or HDPE.
By identifying the type of soft plastic you are using, you can ensure that it is recycled correctly, minimising its potential environmental impact.
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Check with local authorities and retailers for recycling schemes
Recycling programs vary from community to community, so it is important to check with your local authorities and retailers to see what recycling schemes are available in your area. Contact your local government or recycling provider to ask any questions you may have about recycling soft plastics.
In the UK, you can check if your council collects recycling and how to recycle household waste. Some councils offer soft plastic recycling facilities, so it is worth checking with your local council to see if they offer this service.
In Australia, REDcycle offers soft plastic recycling and has collection points at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets. You can also check if your local council offers soft plastic recycling, as some do. For instance, the Randwick City Council offers soft plastic recycling facilities.
To find your closest soft plastic drop-off point, you can visit the REDcycle website and enter your suburb. Alternatively, you can develop a drop-off habit by taking your soft plastics to a local drop-off point whenever you go grocery shopping.
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Find your nearest drop-off point or collection bin
To recycle soft plastics, you can find your nearest drop-off point or collection bin by visiting the REDcycle website and entering your suburb. These are often located at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets. Alternatively, contact your local council, as some offer soft plastic recycling facilities. For example, the Randwick City Council offers soft plastic recycling.
Another option is to drop off your soft plastics at your local grocery store or major retailer, such as Target and Walmart, which often have on-premise recycling bins for soft plastics. These retailers collect plastic film packaging from consumers and back-haul it to businesses that recycle it into new products.
If you are in NSW, some councils offer the Curby soft plastics scheme, where you can arrange to have soft plastics collected from your home in dedicated bags using their app. There is also RecycleSmart, a home collection system that takes items to recycling centres.
In addition, you can use the Soft Plastics Waste Zero Waste Box™ by TerraCycle to recycle any dry soft plastics that can be scrunched into a ball. Once you have filled the box, you can ship it back to TerraCycle for free using the prepaid return label. The maximum weight of the box is 20kg.
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Prepare soft plastics for recycling: clean, dry, and empty
Soft plastics include biscuit wrappers, plastic bags, garbage bags, chip packets, and salad mix packets. They are one of the most difficult materials to recycle and are not accepted for curbside recycling or plastic film recycling at retailers.
If you want to recycle soft plastics at home, you need to prepare them correctly. Here are the steps to follow:
Clean: Soft plastics should be cleaned and dried before recycling. This means removing any food residue, grease, or dirt from the surface of the plastic. You can use a damp cloth or sponge with some mild detergent to wipe down the plastic. Make sure it is as clean and dry as possible. Some recyclers may not accept soft plastics with food residue on them, as they can contaminate other recyclables.
Dry: Ensure the soft plastics are completely dry before sending them for recycling. Wet plastics can lead to the growth of mould and bacteria, which can affect the quality of the recycled material.
Empty: Make sure the soft plastics are as empty as possible. Remove any remaining product or residue from the packaging. For example, if you are recycling a chip packet, ensure all the chips and crumbs are removed before placing it in the recycling bin. This helps reduce the risk of attracting pests or creating odours during the recycling process.
It is important to note that not all soft plastics can be recycled. Some plastics, such as those that are shiny, crinkly, or tear like paper, are likely not recyclable. Check with your local recycling guidelines to see what types of soft plastics they accept. Additionally, some retailers and grocery stores have on-site recycling bins specifically for soft plastics.
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Separate soft plastics from other recyclables
Soft plastics include biscuit wrappers, plastic bags, garbage bags, chip packets, and salad mix packets—basically, anything that acts as a bag around your food is soft plastic. It's also the plastic dry cleaners use to cover your shirts and the clear plastic wrap that comes with any appliance purchase.
Soft plastics are one of the most difficult materials to recycle. They cannot be recycled using household recycling bins. The most common recycling mistake is assuming soft plastics can be recycled in household bins.
If you're in NSW, some councils offer the Curby soft plastics scheme. You can arrange to have soft plastics collected from your home in dedicated bags using their app. There is also RecycleSmart, a home collection system that takes items to recycling centres. The services available will depend on where you live.
Alternatively, you can find your closest drop-off point by visiting Redcycle and entering your suburb. These are mostly located at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets. You can also contact your local council, as some offer soft plastic recycling facilities.
When recycling soft plastics, make sure they are dry and as empty as possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Soft plastics include biscuit wrappers, plastic bags, garbage bags, chip packets, and salad mix packets. Essentially, anything that acts as a bag around your food is soft plastic.
You can recycle soft plastics at home by using a Soft Plastics Waste Zero Waste Box™. Make sure the plastic is dry and as empty as possible. Once the box is full, securely tape it and send it back to TerraCycle.
You can recycle soft plastics at your local grocery store or major retailers like Target and Walmart. You can also find your closest drop-off point by visiting Redcycle and entering your suburb.
One common misconception is that soft plastics can be recycled using household recycling bins. Most residential curbside recycling will not take soft plastics. Another misconception is that plastic bags and wraps are not recyclable.
