Soft plastics recycling is coming
Council's soft plastics recycling program will launch in September.
What this space for updates, or sign up to the Good Sort e-newsletter to be the first to know the launch date and see the full list of accepted soft plastics.
Remember: do not put soft plastics packaging and plastic bags in your kerbside recycling bin.
Results of the 2024 trial
Council’s soft plastics drop-off trial in August 2024 was an outstanding success with 890 kilograms of plastic packaging (that’s the equivalent weight of a small car) baled and sent to a recycler in Melbourne.
Residents were invited to collect soft plastics purchased during July, and then drop them off for free at Council’s waste facilities over three days in early August.
Almost 500 residents dropped off soft plastics in 1,328 bags of varying sizes during the three days. 367 people who participated in the trial also provided feedback via an online survey.
According to their feedback:
- 80% of the soft plastic was collected in the month of July.
- 12% of participants have been collecting soft plastics since the closure of the REDCycle program in November 2022.
- Packaging from food accounted for most soft plastics, followed by packaging from online purchases e.g. bubble wrap & air pillows.
Where should I put my soft plastics now?
Soft plastic packaging and plastic bags are NOT accepted in your kerbside recycling bin.
Plastic bags, food wrappers, bubble wrap, cling wrap, postal satchels, and plastic sheeting are common contaminants in the recycling bin. They are removed at the recycling sorting facility and sent to landfill.
If you can't safely store your soft plastic packaging at home until the Anglesea facility is operational, put them in your landfill bin (red lid).