Many of us recall a time when environmental concerns were not as prominent in our daily lives, yet the instinct to care for our surroundings has always existed.
As we do our weekly grocery shopping, we may consider small, practical ways to contribute to a healthier planet. What if your familiar trips to the supermarket could become a meaningful way to support a healthier environment for everyone?
Woolworths is taking steps in this direction by expanding its recycling efforts, providing us with a genuine opportunity to contribute to a greener future.
In a bold move to address the escalating problem of plastic waste, Woolworths has announced a significant expansion of its in-store soft plastics collection trial.
The supermarket behemoth aims to achieve ‘full coverage’ across 500 stores within the next year, marking a substantial step forward in the fight against plastic pollution.
The challenge Woolworths faces in broadening this trial is not insignificant. One of the main hurdles has been Australia’s lack of soft plastic recycling capacity to support a nationwide collection effort.
However, Woolworths is determined to overcome this obstacle. The plan will increase collection points from 120 stores to about 500 in the upcoming months, targeting metropolitan areas in Sydney, Melbourne, parts of southeast Queensland, the ACT, and Adelaide.
‘We’re in close contact with soft plastic recyclers as they rebuild and expand their operations, with several new recyclers starting to open their doors over the last year. The Taskforce was set up in the wake of the REDcycle collapse as an interim measure to facilitate an immediate response to the stockpiles left and [to] commence work on a new recycling scheme,’ a spokesperson for Woolworths said.
The collapse of REDcycle left a void in the recycling ecosystem, and the Taskforce’s efforts are crucial in rebuilding a system that can handle the volume of soft plastics generated by households.
A ‘more permanent, industry-wide soft plastic stewardship program’ is currently in development. This program aims to unite all manufacturers and retailers that produce household soft plastics, creating a collaborative approach to tackling this environmental challenge.
Recycling soft plastics is a complex process. Unlike their rigid counterparts, soft plastics can only be recycled once or twice before their quality deteriorates. This constraint indicates that the recycling processes for soft plastics need to be consistently improved to ensure their sustainability.
Despite these challenges, recycling soft plastics is essential for reducing landfill waste and fostering a circular economy.
In Australia, soft plastics account for a staggering 538,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. Without proper recycling programs, these materials often end up in landfills, causing significant environmental harm.
As the Taskforce works to build a more robust recycling infrastructure, the anticipated soft plastic stewardship program is expected to play a pivotal role in mitigating this issue, offering benefits for both the environment and the economy.
It’s important to note that the major supermarkets involved in the Soft Plastics Taskforce—Woolworths, Coles, and ALDI—do not own or operate any soft plastic recycling facilities.
Instead, they rely on independent third-party companies with specialised recycling expertise to manage these operations.
The Taskforce collaborates closely with these recyclers to accelerate their development. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has authorised the supermarkets to work together through the Taskforce, with the latest draft proposal extending this authorisation until 31 July 2026.
In a practical change that shoppers will notice, recycling collection points in Woolworths supermarkets are set to return to the front of stores, making it more convenient for customers to drop off their soft plastics for recycling.
Have you noticed recycling initiatives at your local supermarket? What are your thoughts on Woolworths’ soft plastics collection trial expansion? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
Also read: Woolworths brings back beloved $1.25 dessert—Shoppers say ‘it’s perfection!’
This is awesome I’ve been using Red Cycle to recycle my plastic at a cost – now can the Supermarkets start using compostable sanitary wipes !