Return of Soft Plastics Recycling at Woolworths
Shoppers across Australia are once again able to recycle soft plastics, as Woolworths has reintroduced the program in hundreds of stores nationwide. This initiative allows households to return clean and dry soft plastics, such as bread bags and plastic wrappers, during their weekly shopping trips.
Over 700 Woolworths stores in five states have joined the program, marking a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to manage plastic waste. The renewed scheme follows the collapse of REDcycle in 2022, which had left many customers without an in-store recycling option for soft plastics.
A trial was launched in February 2024, initially in five Victorian stores. Since then, the program has expanded rapidly, with additional collection points added across the country. This week, selected stores in South Australia also joined the network.
So far, the program has collected approximately 40 million pieces of soft plastic, equivalent to 310,000 kilograms. This represents a major contribution to reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable practices.
Woolworths 360 Managing Director Rob McCartney highlighted the importance of customer demand in driving the return of the program. He stated:
“Our customers have continued to advocate for soft plastic recycling and we’re thrilled to be able to give them the ability to recycle these materials again.”
Woolworths is partnering with innovative recyclers such as iQRenew, which has opened a new facility in New South Wales capable of processing 14,000 tonnes of soft plastics annually. Additionally, saveBOARD is transforming soft plastic waste into building materials that are already being used in 170 Woolworths stores.
The company is also working closely with Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA) to lead the industry in soft plastics recycling. The collected plastic is being repurposed into new products, including in-store wall panelling and Woolworths’ own-brand bread bags, which contain 30% recycled plastic.
Woolworths is collaborating with several Australian-based recycling companies, including saveBOARD, iQRenew, and Plascrete, to deliver the program. The supermarket has also partnered with other retailers and major brands such as Mars, Nestlé, and McCormick Foods to support the creation of SPSA.
Barry Cosier, Chief Executive Officer of Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia, welcomed the expansion of the program. He said:
“We appreciate the leadership by Woolworths in establishing this collection network. This is just the start as we want to collect and recycle more soft plastic packaging.”
He added that the industry-led initiative has provided convenient access to soft plastics recycling for nearly 70% of Australians. As more brands and retailers join SPSA, the program aims to increase collections in more stores and locations, significantly boosting participation rates.
A full list of participating stores can be found on the Woolworths website.
