Turning Soft Plastic into a Valuable Resource
How SPSA is addressing Soft Plastics Collection and Recycling
SPSA kerbside and supermarket in-store collections provide convenient access to soft plastics recycling for around 70% of Australians.
There are now over 700 collection points across Australia, in five States and Territories. You can access collection points here.
Our members include over 40 brands and retailers, and the cost impact is less than 1c per average food and grocery product.
A Soft Plastic Recycling Solution for the future
Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia (SPSA) is an independent, not-for-profit product stewardship scheme established by leading brands and retailers. Building on the retailer-led Soft Plastic Taskforce and the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC)-led National Plastic Recycling Scheme (NPRS), SPSA was created to overcome longstanding challenges in soft plastic recycling.
SPSA has now received an eight-year authorisation from the ACCC to operate a national scheme, using levies from brand owners and retailers to fund market failures across the supply chain. The scheme levy may also include future incentives for brand owners to redesign packaging for better recyclability and higher recycled content.
Key achievements include:
- Kerbside and supermarket in-store collections providing convenient access for around 70% of Australians.
- Access to over 700 in-store collection points across Australia.
- Recycling capacity more than double the peak REDcycle collection volumes.
- Strong corporate governance and transparency as a not-for-profit organisation.
- A cost impact of less than 1c per average food and grocery product.
By facilitating more mechanical recycling and supporting a new advanced plastics recycling industry in Australia, SPSA is working towards a circular, high-value market for soft plastics – reducing material sent to landfill or the environment.
Soft Plastic Recycling rates need to increase
Consumer soft plastic packaging includes a wide range of items, from packaging for food, groceries, and personal care products to household goods such as electronics, clothing, post bags, and bubble wrap.
Despite strong household interest in recycling, and approximately two-thirds (62%) of the soft plastic material placed in the Australian market being recyclable, soft plastic recycling rates in Australia have always been very low.
After 10 years of operations by 2022, REDcycle collections peaked at less than 2% of the material placed on the market.
By comparison, the recovery rates for rigid plastic packaging, like plastic drink and milk bottles, is higher, estimated at 28%. We can’t afford to delay; a transformative approach to soft plastics is critical.
We’re proud to present The Global Stewardship Playbook — a seven-session webinar series that brings Europe’s top experts to share proven strategies, governance and funding models for successful producer responsibility systems. Whether you’re shaping policy, designing sustainability targets, or leading a brand with plastic obligations, this series offers the inside track on how to avoid costly missteps and build resilient systems adapted for Australia and NZ.
Watch the series here.
Be Part of the Future of Soft Plastic
The more we collaborate, the bigger the impact. Help us create a sustainable, circular economy for soft plastics in Australia. If you’re a business, organisation, school, community group or consumer, please complete your details and your inquiry and a member of our team will respond to you.
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