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A collaborative transformation: Soft plastics recycling

A collaborative transformation: Soft plastics recycling
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Australia faces a significant soft plastics  problem, consuming approximately 70 billion pieces (538,000 tonnes) annually, with 84% ending up in landfill. Recognising the critical need for intervention post the RedCycle collapse in Nov 2022, Woolworths took a leading role to re-establish soft plastics, collaborating with other key retailers and major brands like Mars and Nestlé to form the Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA). The SPSA represents an industry-led initiative set to transform soft plastics collection and processing. Its objective is to establish a broader and more efficient system by 2026, with goals to expand recycling infrastructure, streamline community recycling methods, and increase the demand for recycled soft plastic products.

Our impact

650

stores with soft plastics recycling stations

>50%

of Australian households now have access to soft plastic recycling via the return to store program
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Paul Charteris – CEO, SaveBOARD
At saveBOARD, we're grateful to Woolworths for their commitment. They're not just collecting soft plastics; they're showing genuine support by investing in and purchasing our recycled building materials on an ongoing basis for their stores. This recurring volume and partnership helps us create real end markets to transform waste into valuable resources that benefit everyone.
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