Our modern lifestyles are fast-paced, busy and full of conveniences such as pre-made processed foods and deliveries to our door. Still so much of our food and online purchases are packaged in soft plastic wrappers and bags. So what do we do with all these bags and wrappers? Years of marketing has taught us to put the litter in the rubbish bin but now we have other options, including recycling our soft plastics.
The tide is turning, so to speak, on use once and throw away. Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact that our purchases make and what we can do to reduce our carbon footprint.
Plastic production and waste is rapidly increasing globally which has detrimental effects to the environment and to our food sources. Studies are coming to light regularly in mainstream media about microplastics and the surprising places they have been found.
Hard and rigid plastics, such as single use bottles, are recycled at the curbside or at recycle labeled rubbish bins that are provided in urban areas by local councils. Soft plastics however generally cannot be recycled with standard curbside recycling so what do we do with them? This guide explores everything you need to know about soft plastic recycling.
What is Soft Plastic?
Soft plastics include a wide range of materials that are flexible, scrunchable, and used in everyday items such as plastic bags, plastic food wrap, bubble wrap, and certain types of food packaging like noodle packets. Foil lined packaging used for biscuits and potato chips are included as soft plastics but aluminum foil is not a soft plastic.
Unlike hard plastics that are typically recycled through council curbside collection programs, soft plastics need to be dropped into approved collection points, many of which are located inside supermarkets.
Why should you recycle Soft Plastics?
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of plastic waste, including soft plastics, is becoming more understood by consumers. Soft plastics often end up in landfill. By recycling soft plastics we can reduce the amount of waste destined for landfills and give these materials a new life in the form of another product.
It is not practical for us to completely eliminate our consumption of products packaged in soft plastic. Therefore recycling them is an action that we can take to reduce the environmental harm of throwing them away. We can change some of our purchasing behavior by doing some of the following
- Buying in bulk and splitting our portions into snack containers
- Bringing our own reusable shopping bags to the store
- Using reusable produce bags or none at all
- Choosing to purchase more eco-friendly or minimal packaging
- Use reusable food covers or beeswax wraps instead of cling wrap
Conservation of Resources
Recycling our soft plastics helps conserve valuable resources such as oil and gas, which are used to produce new plastic materials. By purchasing products made from recycled plastics, we help promote a circular economy where materials are reused rather than used once and thrown away.
Energy Savings
It is more energy-efficient to recycle plastics than to manufacture new ones from scratch using raw materials. Recycling soft plastics reduces energy consumption and lowers carbon emissions associated with plastic production.
Marine Conservation
Soft plastics are a significant contributor to marine pollution, with millions of tons entering our oceans annually. By recycling these materials, we prevent them from entering marine ecosystems, where they pose serious threats to marine animals and habitats.
How to Recycle Soft Plastics
Recycling soft plastics requires a different approach compared to regular ‘hard’ plastics. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can effectively recycle soft plastics:
Step 1 – Collect
Clean and dry soft plastics such as plastic bags, bread bags, and food packaging. Ensure they are free of food residue such as salt and oil that clings to the inside of the potato chip bag.
Store your soft plastics together in a plastic or bread bag. We keep ours hanging next to the fridge so it is easily accessible and just as easy to fill up as a trash bin.
Step 2 – Drop-off
Check with your local recycling and refuse station or supermarket for drop-off locations that accept soft plastics. Many supermarkets partner with recycling programs that provide designated bins for soft plastics.
Take your collected soft plastics to the designated drop-off points or recycling bins. Our family rarely shops at the local supermarket that has the soft plastic drop off bin so for us we collect lots of bags of plastic and make the trip specifically for the purpose to recycle. It really is not too much effort.
Step 3 – Awareness
Spread awareness among family, friends, and work colleagues about why you recycle soft plastics. Teach your household your system (wash, dry and collect soft plastics) rather than throwing them in the trash.
The Soft Plastic Recycling Process
The recycling process for soft plastics involves several stages to transform used packaging into new products:
1. Collection – Soft plastics are collected from drop-off points or recycling bins at supermarkets and other designated locations.
2. Sorting – The collected plastics are sorted to remove contaminants such as paper labels or food residue. This step ensures that only clean and suitable materials move to the next stage.
3. Shredding – The sorted plastics are shredded into small flakes or pellets. This increases the surface area and prepares the material for the next processing steps.
4. Washing – The shredded flakes or pellets undergo thorough washing to remove any remaining impurities and contaminants.
5. Melting – Cleaned and dried flakes or pellets are melted and then molding into new plastic products or packaging materials. These products may include park benches, farming fence posts, home garden boxes, clothing fibers, and various household items.
What Products Are Made from Recycled Soft Plastics?
The versatility of recycled soft plastics allows for the creation of a wide range of products, including:
- Composite Lumber – Used for outdoor decking, fencing, and furniture.
- Clothing and Textiles – Recycled plastic fibers are used in clothing, jackets, bags, and other textile products.
- Packaging Materials – Some recycled soft plastics are transformed into new packaging materials, reducing the demand for new plastics. You may notice recycled plastic bottles are commonly being self promoted on the packaging for household cleaners and dishwashing liquid.
- Farming and horticultural industry – Soft plastics are being used to make durable fencing posts used on farms, vineyards and orchards.
- Construction Materials – Recycled plastics are used in the construction industry for items such as posts, beams, and drainage pipes.
- Stationery and Office Supplies – Recycled soft plastics are used to make items like rulers, pens, file folders, and storage containers.
- Automotive Parts – Some car manufacturers use recycled soft plastics in interior components, insulation, and underbody protection.
- Gardening Products – Recycled soft plastics are utilized for garden edging, plant pots, raised garden beds, and watering cans, contributing to sustainable gardening practices.
- Toys and Games – Eco-friendly toy manufacturers use recycled soft plastics to create safe and durable toys for children.
There are initiatives and partnerships driving the adoption of soft plastic recycling all around the world:
- New Zealand: Soft plastic recycling has collection points across the country at Woolworths supermarkets. This initiative is partnered with Future Posts who turn the soft plastics collected into fence posts for farms, vineyards and orchards.
- United Kingdom: Supermarket chains such as Aldi and Tesco and recycling initiatives are making significant strides in collecting and processing soft plastics for recycling along with reducing plastics used in packaging.
How You Can Make a Difference
You can make a difference by making small changes in your household with the following:
- Reduce Consumption – Choose reusable alternatives to single-use soft plastics, such as cloth bags, reusable food wraps such as beeswax wraps rather than cling wrap, and stainless steel or glass containers.
- Support Recycling Programs – Regularly use your local soft plastic recycling scheme.
- Educate People – Spread awareness about the importance of recycling soft plastics and how easy it is to do.
- Choose Sustainable Products – Support brands that follow sustainable practices and use recycled materials in their packaging and products.
Conclusion
Soft plastic recycling is not available everywhere so if you have a recycling scheme in your area please use it regularly. I encourage you to recycle as this small change in your household will be an action that you can take to reduce environmental harm and helps continue the loop of plastic materials.
The key takeaway for you – every effort counts so start recycling the soft plastics that you bring into your home. Together, we can make a significant difference to our world through less consumption and by recycling and reusing where we can.
