Omar Khalid
Soft plastics, such as plastic bags, films, and wrapping, are a type of plastic that cannot be easily recycled at home. In the past, soft plastics were accepted by some large supermarket chains, which would then pass them on to manufacturers to be repurposed into new products. However, due to a combination of increased collection volumes and reduced recycling capacity, many of these programs have been paused or dissolved. As a result, individuals are now encouraged to check with their local council or government to find out if there are any specialized soft plastics recycling services available in their area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soft plastics | Plastic bags, plastic films, wrapping, flexible plastics |
| Where to recycle soft plastics | Local supermarkets, Co-op stores, some councils |
| Soft plastics to be recycled | Bread bags, frozen food bags, crisp packets, pet food pouches, loo roll wrap, chocolate wrappers |
| Soft plastics to be avoided | Biodegradable or compostable bags |
| Notes | Ensure bags and wrapping are food-free and as clean as possible |
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What You'll Learn
Soft plastics at Co-op
Soft plastics are lightweight plastics that often cannot be placed in household recycling bins. Examples include plastic film lids on yoghurt pots, soft fruit punnets and ready meals, as well as plastic crisp packets, pasta bags, and chocolate or biscuit wrappers.
Co-op has launched a soft plastics recycling scheme to tackle plastic pollution and make it easier for people to dispose of soft plastics. You can now recycle your soft plastics at over 2,200 Co-op stores across the country, with the exception of very small stores and Scottish Islands. The in-store collection points accept all types of clean, 'scrunchy' plastic film, including plastic bags and wrapping, from any brand or retailer. Simply look out for the blue bin at your local Co-op.
Co-op also accepts all Co-op-owned brand food packaging for recycling. Limitations may apply to third-party packaging, as some technical materials with multiple layers may need to be incinerated for energy production. However, most third-party soft plastics will be recycled within their scheme.
By sharing insights from their soft plastics recycling work, Co-op is encouraging other brands and retailers to launch similar schemes. Through collaboration, they aim to demonstrate to the government that film recycling is possible and financially viable.
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Plastic bags and recycling
Plastic bags and soft plastics are a major contributor to environmental waste. It is important to recycle them properly to reduce the amount of plastic going to landfill.
In the UK, many supermarkets now offer recycling for plastic bags and wrapping. This includes bread bags, frozen food bags, crisp packets, and chocolate wrappers. You can take your plastic bags and wrapping to your nearest supermarket and place them in the designated recycling bins. It is important to ensure that the bags are clean and free of food before dropping them off.
Some local councils also offer soft plastics recycling services. You can check with your council to see if they provide this service. Additionally, there are community initiatives, such as Boomerang Bags, which is a community bag-sewing project.
In Australia, the story is a little different. The REDcycle program, which collected soft plastics from supermarkets, was paused and dissolved in late 2022 due to increased collection volumes and reduced recycling capacity. As a result, many Australians currently have to put soft plastics in their garbage bins. However, some councils are offering alternative soft plastics recycling services, and it is worth checking with your local council to see if they provide this service.
The best way to reduce plastic waste is to avoid using single-use plastic items and opt for reusable alternatives whenever possible.
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REDcycle and supermarket recycling
Soft plastics, such as plastic bags and chocolate wrappers, should not be put in your household recycling bin. When soft plastics are incorrectly placed in household recycling bins, they can contaminate the recycling and cause problems at recycling facilities if they become entangled in the machinery.
REDcycle was a popular soft plastics recycling scheme in Australia, funded by the two major supermarket chains Woolworths and Coles. The program launched in 2011 and had collected more than 5.4 billion pieces of soft plastic, turning them into new products like shopping trolleys and street furniture. Unfortunately, the program closed on the 9th of November 2022 due to unforeseen challenges, leaving many Australians without a soft plastics recycling option.
Some Australian councils are offering soft plastics recycling services, and it is worth checking with your local council to see if they provide this service. The National Plastics Recycling Scheme (NPRS) is also trialling soft plastic collection in kerbside recycling bins in a few councils across NSW, SA, and Victoria. Additionally, some supermarkets in Australia have created programs to help with waste management and recycling. For example, Co-op in the UK recycles soft plastics at over 2,200 of its stores across the country.
To properly recycle soft plastics, ensure they are clean and free of food, and tear off any sticky labels if possible. While it may be inconvenient to separate and transport soft plastics to a specialized recycling location, it is important to keep them out of household recycling bins to avoid contamination and other issues.
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Local council recycling schemes
The Greater Dandenong City Council in Australia accepts soft plastics at drop-off points, which are collected weekly. They accept coloured and printed soft plastics but specify that they should be free of food or other materials and clean and dry.
In the UK, Somerset County Council does not collect plastic bags and wrapping with kerbside collections or at recycling sites. However, they are taking part in a national trial of kerbside collections of plastic bags and wrapping through the Flex Collect trials. They also suggest checking the Recycle Now website, which has a locator for supermarkets with collection bins for soft plastics.
Some other recycling schemes offered by councils include the RefillNZ scheme by the Christchurch City Council, which encourages businesses to provide free tap water to reduce plastic waste. The council also offers a household polystyrene recycling programme at selected hardware stores and the TechCollect NZ scheme for e-waste recycling.
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Avoiding soft plastics
Soft plastics, such as plastic bags and tissue boxes, cannot be recycled in household recycling bins. They can cause big problems when placed in these bins, contaminating the recycling and causing issues at facilities by getting entangled in the machinery. While some councils offer soft plastics recycling services, many people have to put soft plastics in their garbage bins.
To avoid soft plastics, you can:
- Shop at whole foods stores: Bring your own containers to shop at whole foods stores.
- Use reusable shopping bags: Avoid single-use plastic items by using reusable shopping bags.
- Prioritize fresh, whole foods: Opt for fresh, whole foods over processed foods that often come in soft plastic packaging.
- Avoid certain plastic containers: Choose alternatives to plastic containers, especially when heating food.
- Swap vinyl products: Look for non-vinyl options or second-hand vinyl products.
- Reduce exposure from toys: Minimize your child's exposure to plastic toys, opting for wooden or fabric toys instead.
- Be cautious with personal care products: Choose personal care products with minimal or no plastic packaging.
- Reduce dust exposure: Cut down on plastic by reducing dust in your home, as dust often contains microplastics.
- Check local recycling options: Contact your local council to see if they offer specialized soft plastics recycling services.
Remember, reducing your use of soft plastics is a great step towards environmental responsibility. By making conscious choices and supporting initiatives that promote sustainable practices, you can minimize your plastic footprint and contribute to a greener world.
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Frequently asked questions
Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi used to collect soft plastics through the REDcycle program, but this was paused in late 2022 due to increased collection volumes and reduced recycling capacity. These supermarkets now have a more limited collection scheme in some areas. You can also check with your local council, as some offer soft plastics recycling services or have partnered with companies like Recycle Smart and Curby to provide these services.
Soft plastics can be recycled at your local supermarket. Most UK supermarkets have joined forces to collect soft plastics that can't be widely recycled at home. This includes bread bags, frozen food bags, crisp packets, and chocolate wrappers.
Some local recycling programs in the US accept soft plastics, but it's best to check with your local program or council to see what their guidelines are. You can also check with your local Co-op store, as they may accept soft plastics for recycling.
Make sure that all plastic bags and wrappers are clean and free of food before recycling them. Tear off any sticky labels if possible. Keep them together in a storage system that works for you, such as a bag under the sink or by your front door, and take them in bulk to the recycling drop-off point.
