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In a move that can only be described as a redemption arc worthy of a Netflix series, Australia's major supermarkets—Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi—are attempting to resurrect soft plastics recycling after the spectacular implosion of the REDcycle program in 2022. Picture this: the Soft Plastics Taskforce, a coalition of these retail giants, has launched a trial at 120 Woolworths stores across Western Sydney and coastal New South Wales.

The grand plan? To expand this initiative to an additional 500 locations nationwide within the next year. This endeavor aims to tackle the gaping hole left in Australia's soft plastics recycling infrastructure after REDcycle's untimely demise. ​ adelaidenow +3 news +3 Resource-Recycling +3 The Guardian +6 ABC +6 sydneycityrubbish.com.au +6 But let's rewind a bit.

REDcycle, once Australia's beacon of hope for soft plastics recycling, collapsed under the weight of its own ambitions. By late 2022, it was revealed that instead of being recycled, vast quantities of collected soft plastics were stockpiled in warehouses across the country, posing environmental and fire hazards.

This revelation was as shocking as finding out your favorite reality TV star isn't actually "just like us." ​ ABC Wikipedia +1 Resource-Recycling +1 Fast forward to today, and the supermarkets, with a collective shrug and a "let's try this again" attitude, have taken it upon themselves to clean up the mess.

They've assumed responsibility for the stockpiled plastics and are collaborating with emerging recycling facilities to process these materials responsibly. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has even given them the green light to collaborate on this endeavor until July 31, 2026.

​ ABC +5 news +5 Reddit +5 However, let's not get too carried away with the confetti just yet. While these efforts are a step in the right direction, the reality is that only a fraction of Australia's annual consumption of soft plastics is being recycled. With Australians consuming approximately 70 billion pieces of soft plastic each year, and a recycling rate hovering around a dismal 13%, it's clear that these supermarket-led initiatives are merely dipping their toes in a vast ocean of plastic waste.

​ ABC +2 news +2 adelaidenow +2 Moreover, the collapse of REDcycle serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of recycling soft plastics. The program's downfall was largely due to contamination and the complexity of processing these materials. This begs the question: are we simply rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, or is there a more sustainable solution on the horizon?

​ sydneycityrubbish.com.au +3 The Guardian +3 The Guardian +3 In conclusion, while the supermarkets' efforts to revive soft plastics recycling are commendable and offer a glimmer of hope, it's evident that a more comprehensive, nationwide strategy is needed. This strategy should involve not just corporate players but also government bodies, specialized recyclers, and, crucially, consumers.

After all, when it comes to recycling, everyone has a part to play—except, perhaps, for the soft plastics themselves, which seem content to play musical chairs in our landfills.