Soft plastics are plastic packaging you can easily scrunch into a ball. These items do not belong in your yellow recycling bin.
Many soft plastics can still be recycled through drop-off programs.
What soft plastics can be recycled?
The following soft plastics can be recycled. Note that they must be clean, empty and dry before you drop them off.
- Plastic bags (clear or coloured)
- Biscuit, snack and chip packets (including silver-lined wrappers)
- Fresh and frozen food bags and wrappers
- Pasta and rice bags (plastic or woven)
- Bread bags and cereal liners
- Cling wrap, bubble wrap, and snap-lock zip bags
- Document sleeves, mail satchels, and carrier bags
- Plastic pet food bags
- Clean potting mix bags.
What can't be included in soft plastics recycling?
- Rigid plastics, like biscuit and meat trays - put these in your yellow bin
- PVC plastic, for example clear plastic packaging that is often used for bed linen
- Zippers from large pet or stock feed bags
- Compostable plastics - these cannot be recycled
- Balloons, bread tags, cellophane or laminated paper.
You can also check the Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia website to see what can and can't be included.
Where to recycle soft plastics
Supermarkets
Many Woolworths supermarkets in the Wollongong area are part of a trial for in-store soft plastic recycling. Look for bins at the front of participating stores, or check the Woolworths website for locations.
Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia is also working to expand the number of supermarkets accepting soft plastics recycling in future. This is expected to include more Woolworths locations, as well as Coles and Aldi stores.
Flagstaff Group, Unanderra
Clean, dry and empty soft plastics can be dropped off for recycling at Flagstaff Group, 262 Nolan Street, Unanderra, during the following times only:
- Monday - Thursday 4.15pm - 4.45pm
- Saturdays 8am - 10.45am.
Regional drop-off events
Temporary soft plastics drop-off events are held from time to time across the region. Visit the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation (ISJO) website for updates.
What happens to soft plastics dropped off for recycling?
Soft plastics collected through Woolworths are currently processed in Sydney and recycled to make promotional backboards used in their stores.
For their future programs, Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia plans to use a mix of recycling technologies:
- Chemical recycling, which breaks plastics down into an oil substitute that can be used to make new, food-grade soft plastic packaging.
- Mechanical recycling, which can produce items like garbage bags, fence posts, asphalt, and concrete additives.