Australian retailer Woolworths Group has expanded its in-store soft plastics recycling initiative to more than 700 outlets across five Australian states, strengthening efforts to improve plastic waste recovery and recycling access for consumers.
The recycling program was initially launched as a pilot in five stores in Victoria in February 2024 before gradually rolling out to additional locations nationwide. Selected stores in South Australia were the latest to join the initiative this week.
According to Woolworths, the scheme has already collected nearly 40 million pieces of soft plastic waste, weighing around 310,000 kilograms. The recovered material is being converted into new applications such as wall panels used in Woolworths stores and bread bags under the retailer’s private label range containing 30% recycled plastic.
To support the recycling process, Woolworths has partnered with Australian recycling companies saveBOARD, iQRenew and Plascrete. The retailer is also collaborating with major brands including Mars, Nestlé and McCormick & Company through Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia to strengthen the country’s soft plastics recycling infrastructure.
Woolworths 360 Managing Director Rob McCartney said customer demand played a major role in bringing back soft plastics recycling services. He highlighted the contribution of iQRenew’s new New South Wales facility, which can process up to 14,000 tonnes of soft plastics annually, while saveBOARD is already supplying recycled building materials used in more than 170 Woolworths stores.
Chief Executive Officer Barry Cosier said the initiative has significantly improved consumer access to soft plastics recycling. He added that expanding participation among retailers and brands could further increase collection points and recycling rates across Australia