The Queensland Government is collaborating with Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia Limited to launch a pilot soft plastics recycling initiative in Queensland.
The government has allocated $1 million for this pilot, aimed at exploring innovative methods for recycling soft plastic waste.
As part of the initiative, trial hubs will be set up in various locations across Queensland to provide convenient options for returning soft plastic packaging.
“Queenslanders have already returned close to nine billion glass and plastic containers to container refund points under the government’s highly successful container refund scheme,” said Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard.
“Because people are used to bringing their containers to these sites we want to see if this model works for returning soft plastics, among other options.
“It’s also vital that we have cost-effective options for processing the material that are collected and viable end-product markets.
Since the cessation of the REDcycle program, Queenslanders have been storing their soft plastics and have expressed a strong desire for a new solution. The government has responded to this demand.
Trials will kick off in Brisbane by year’s end, with additional hubs planned for the Sunshine Coast, Goondiwindi, and Cairns in the following months.
Over a 12-month period, these hubs will assess a range of collection methods to determine the most effective options for urban, regional, and remote communities in Queensland.
This will include:
- kerbside yellow-lid bin collections in specific locations;
- return to store;
- council drop off locations; and
- drop off at central points such as container refund points.
“This funding represents a significant step forward for Queensland’s recycling efforts, enabling trials in communities across the state to actively contribute to reducing soft plastic waste,” said Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia Interim co-CEO Barry Cosier.
“These trial hubs will help the Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia understand the best solutions for both urban and remote regions, making soft plastic recycling more accessible for everyone.
Evaluating each collection channel will guide future choices on which models or combinations work best for different communities.
The pilots will also explore local processing options for soft plastics and investigate potential markets for recycled products.
“It’s crucial to find a solution for soft plastic recycling methods that work for key urban centres as well as regional and remote areas, ensuring that all Queenslanders have the opportunity to participate in sustainable waste management,” said Cosier.
“This trial supported by the Queensland Government will allow us to explore how soft plastics can be repurposed into products that serve a meaningful purpose in the marketplace, creating a circular economy that supports environmental sustainability while driving local innovation.”
This initiative aims to reduce stockpiling and the long-distance transport of soft plastics while fostering local markets and job creation.
As part of the trial, the government will collaborate with Central Queensland University to process some collected materials at its testing facilities, assessing contamination tolerance for various end products.
This will help refine consumer messaging regarding the types of soft plastic packaging that can be collected and identify viable markets for recovered materials.