70% of Aussies can recycle soft plastics again

Australians will now once again have access to soft plastics drop-off collection points following the collapse of REDcycle.

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) said the progress reflects growing industry collaboration to rebuild soft plastics recovery capability in Australia, while reinforcing the need for coordinated national stewardship and clear, consistent consumer guidance.

The return of collection access across much of the country demonstrated that industry remains committed to supporting practical recovery solutions and helping Australians recycle more confidently, said APCO CEO Chris Foley.

“Australians have consistently shown they want to recycle soft plastics correctly,” Foley said. “What’s critical now is ensuring that the system supporting them is credible, coordinated and built to last.”

The APCO CEO said rebuilding confidence in soft plastics recycling requires more than collection points alone.

“It requires viable infrastructure, end markets for recycled content, transparent governance, strong industry participation and long-term accountability to ensure the system can expand responsibly over time,” he said. “It also requires clear, consistent communication to households, including the use of evidence-based tools like the Australian Recycling Label, so Australians know exactly what can and can’t be recycled.”

“While future packaging regulation continues to evolve, businesses have an opportunity to act now by supporting credible stewardship solutions and helping Australians with clear and consistent consumer guidance.”

Early adopters of the soft plastics recycling program, such as supermarket giant Woolworths, are helping promote the transition towards a stronger national stewardship system.

“Early participation sends a clear market signal that industry is helping rebuild soft plastics recovery in a coordinated way. It supports the investment, collection growth and recycler confidence needed to move from isolated activity to a more viable national stewardship system,” Foley said.

Through APCO’s partnership with Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia, the organisation is supporting industry participation, reporting and scheme administration to help build national soft plastics recovery capability over time.

The partnership provides APCO members with a pathway to participate in soft plastics stewardship through their existing APCO membership, supporting coordinated industry action and the continued expansion of soft plastics recovery in Australia.

APCO members interested in expressing interest in SPSA participation through their existing membership can do so by completing the online form.

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