Soft Plastic Recycling Options - Updated Aug to include Woolworths expansion of collections

According to Clean Up Australia's latest report, soft plastics like bags, wrappers, and cling film are the most commonly found litter in Australia. Their presence has increased due to rising use and limited recycling options.

Australia is now aiming to rebuild its soft plastic recycling system after the REDcycle program collapsed in 2022. While most soft plastics currently go to landfills, new pilot programs and trials are testing better collection and processing methods.
Progress is being made, but a nationwide solution is still in development.
Check below to see if your council is participating in any of the current trials

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW Woolworths Stores Participating in the Soft Plastics Trial
This program has now been extended to many more stores.
Find the list here: Woolworths Soft Plastic Recycling

Central Coast

  • Curby Program (kerbside with CurbyBags)
    🔗 curbyit.com

Mosman

  • Curby Program (kerbside with CurbyBags)
    🔗 curbyit.com

Newcastle

  • Curby Program (kerbside with CurbyBags)
    🔗 curbyit.com

Sydney 

RecycleSmart. Although generally a paid service, the following Councils subsidise RecycleSmart for free monthly collection:

  • Burwood Council • Camden Council • Campbelltown City Council • City of Ryde Council • Hornsby Shire • Hunters Hill Council • Ku-ring-gai City Council • Maitland City Council • Mosman Municipal Council • North Sydney Council • Penrith City Council • Randwick City Council • Singleton Council • Sutherland Shire Council • Willoughby City Council
🔗 https://www.recyclesmart.com/where-we-collect

Tamworth

  • Curby Program (kerbside with CurbyBags)
    🔗 curbyit.com

Willoughby

  • Curby Program (kerbside with CurbyBags)
    🔗 curbyit.com

Goulburn

  • Goulburn Mulwaree Council has launched a free trial recycling service for soft plastics and vapes at the Goulburn Waste Management Centre, running until 30 June 2026
https://www.miragenews.com/soft-plastics-vapes-recycling-trial-launches-1503105/

Other areas of NSW

  • RecycleSmart (paid service)
🔗 recyclesmart.com


Victoria (VIC)

Woolworths Soft Plastic Recycling Program has now been extended to many more stores. Find the list here: Woolworths Soft Plastic Recycling

Macedon Ranges Shire (including Romsey) 
Council-run soft plastic residential collection

🔗 https://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Live-Work/Bins-Rubbish-Recycling/Bins-and-collection-days/Shire-wide-soft-plastic-recycling-pilot

Melbourne
As part of the Soft Plastics Taskforce, the following supermarkets have drop-off bins:

    • Brunswick Coles
    • Flemington Coles
    • Ivanhoe Coles
    • Moonee Ponds Coles
    • Northcote Coles
    • Prahran ALDI
    • St Kilda ALDI
https://wastemanagementreview.com.au/soft-plastics-recycling-trial-starts-in-12-melbourne-suburbs/


The following towns have residential collection services in partnership with Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA):

  • Ballarat- Council-run soft plastic pilot
  • Alpine Shire - Council-run soft plastic pilot
  • Indigo Shire - Council-run soft plastic pilot
  • Albury Shire - Council-run soft plastic pilot
https://halvewaste.com.au/soft-plastic-recycling-2/

 

Areas of VIC

  • RecycleSmart (paid service)
🔗 recyclesmart.com

 

Queensland (QLD)

Woolworth's Soft Plastic Recycling Program has now been extended to many more stores. Find the list here: Woolworths Soft Plastic Recycling

COMING SOON - Queensland Soft Plastics Recycling Pilot

The Queensland Government has invested $1 million to launch a soft plastics recycling pilot in partnership with Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA). This 12-month trial aims to explore various collection methods across different communities. Start date TBC

The pilot is being rolled out in the following locations:

  • Brisbane
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Goondiwindi
  • Cairns
https://www.foodprocessing.com.au/content/sustainability/news/qld-soft-plastics-recycling-trial-1068133349?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

Brisbane & other cities

  • RecycleSmart (paid service)
🔗 recyclesmart.com

 

South Australia (SA)

Adelaide (City of Adelaide, Charles Sturt, Port Adelaide Enfield)

Areas of SA

  • RecycleSmart (paid service)
recyclesmart.com


Western Australia (WA)

There are currently no funded programmes


Tasmania (TAS)

Clarence (Mornington & Glebe Hill) 

Hobart


Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Currently no funded programmes


Northern Territory (NT)

Currently no funded programmes

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Thank you for stopping by.
This list was created by myself (with some help from ChatGPT). If you find any discrepancies, mistakes, or have additional information, please do reach out.
Please support my small business trying to make a BIG difference by browsing my store
www.branchesofme.com.au

 

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