Soft plastics collection trial
The trial has now finished
Thanks to everyone who participated. We are now reviewing the results.
Please remember: Soft plastic packaging and plastic bags are NOT accepted in your kerbside recycling bin. If you have soft plastic packaging to dispose of, please place it in your red landfill bin.
Common questions
Where do I drop off my soft plastic packaging?
Soft plastic packaging is no longer being collected, as the trial period has finished.
What soft plastic was collected?
Soft plastic packaging is any ‘scrunchable’ plastic wrapper or film that can be easily scrunched in your hand.
These soft plastics were collected as part of the trial:
- Biscuit wrappers (but not the clear tray that holds biscuits)
- Bread bags
- Bubble wrap
- Cereal box liners (the bag that holds the cereal)
- Citrus netting bags
- Cling wrap
- Confectionary bags and wrappers
- Document sleeves
- Fresh fruit and veggie bags
- Frozen food bags
- Magazine and newspaper wrapping
- Pasta and noodle packets
- Plastic food wrap e.g. cling wrap, glad wrap etc.
- Post satchels
- Plastic wrapping from paper towels and toilet paper
- Reusable ‘green’ shopping bags
- Plastic shopping bags (from retailers)
- Rice bags
- Silver-lined chip bags
- Squeeze pouches (clean and dry)
- String bags (the ones that hold oranges and onions)
- Sturdy pet food bags (the ones with a zip-lock top)
- Wrappers from chocolate bars & lollies
- Zip lock bags
Plastic bags and packaging not on this list but that have the following label were also collected for this trial:
What items were NOT accepted?
These soft plastic items were NOT accepted:
- Biodegradable or compostable plastics
- Drinking straws
- Hard plastic containers e.g. biscuit trays, fruit punnet trays
- Laminated materials
- Balloons
- Adhesive tape
- Foil packaging
- Rubber gloves or rubber bands
- Tinsel
- Wine bladders (foil-based)
What happened to the soft plastics collected during the trial?
The soft plastic packaging is being baled at the Anglesea Transfer Station. Council's soft plastics trial partner, RecycleSmart will collect the bales and deliver them to APR Plastics and Close the Loop for recycling at their Melbourne facilities.
The plastic packaging will be converted back into soft plastics and recycled road products. This will help drive a circular economy, diverting materials from landfill and keeping valuable resources in use.
Will any of the soft plastics collected be stockpiled?
No. By conducting a trial, Council can ensure our recycling partners are not overwhelmed. To ensure transparency, Council will be able to track the soft plastics using the RecycleSmart dashboard.
The trial ran during July and early August only. We are now in the process of assessing the results to determine if a long-term soft plastics collection and recycling service is cost effective for our ratepayers.