Industry insiders have turned their attention to the broader issues facing the future of hard-to-recycle waste streams following the suspension this week of REDcycle’s soft plastics collection program.
On Tuesday, REDcycle put a temporary hold on all soft plastics collection at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets, citing an untenable imbalance between the growing supply and dwindling demand for the collected material.
Chris Foley, Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) Chief Executive Officer, said the situation caused by the REDcycle pause was “a short-term glitch in the system” for soft plastics recycling, but one that signalled the need for better industry management.
“While it’s disappointing to see the program be put on hold, this is a good opportunity for Australia’s brand owners and the packaging and recycling industries to pause and reset on how we manage soft plastics,” he said.
“This reset will allow Australia to build ongoing sustainable pathways for soft plastic and APCO is working with industry stakeholders to resolve the issue and develop a strong, permanent solution.”
The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) – of which REDcycle is a member – released a statement urging the community not to lose faith in recycling.
“Soft plastic recycling comprises less than 0.02 per cent of total domestic recycling, however the REDcycle scheme has played a vitally important role in creating pathways and providing a solution for this very visible and hard-to-recycle material,” the statement read.
“It is now more important than ever that we work with governments and sectors across the supply chain to bridge the gaps in our recycling infrastructure and step up our progress towards better resource use, reduction of emissions and the circular economy.”
Close the Loop – one of REDcycle’s primary recycling partners – released a statement addressing the challenges of soft plastics recycling in Australia, and the need for more end-market solutions.
“There is a severe lack of information and transparency to consumers about what happens with the soft plastic recycling that is taking place in Australia, what happens to products after collection, and the complexities of soft plastics that make them difficult to reuse at end of life,” the statement read.
“Despite using the material at scale at our plant, the volumes of material recovered by REDcycle appear to exceed the capacity of any sole business to recycle.”
According to Close the Loop, in-progress upgrades to its TonerPlas facility will enable it to be back in full production by July 2023, at which point the company’s requirement for soft plastics will increase.
Coles Group Chief Executive Officer Steven Cain released a statement in an email to Coles customers to address concerns about the future of soft plastics recycling in Coles stores.
“We’re grateful for the commitment so many of our customers have shown to recycling in our stores, and we understand many will be disappointed by this news,” he said.
“We are working with government, industry, and our sustainability partners to find a long-term solution for soft plastics recycling as soon as possible.”
Recycling advocacy group Boomerang Alliance weighed in with a statement calling for a mandatory product stewardship scheme for producers of soft plastics, rather than a reliance on REDcycle’s voluntary model.
“REDcycle and buyers of the collected plastics have been a good proving ground, but much more needs to be done to make it mainstream,” the statement read.
“Environment ministers need to take forceful action. Putting a label on packaging that says ‘recyclable’ does not mean it is recycled in practice or at scale.”
Related stories:
REDcycle suspends soft plastics collection, industry reacts
Close the Loop calls for industry action as new plastics export bans start
KitKat wrapper made with recycled plastic