By Abbas Nazil
Australia is set to introduce a new soft plastics recycling initiative, nearly three years after the collapse of the national REDCycle program, which failed to manage the country’s growing plastic waste problem.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is expected to approve the new scheme, led by manufacturers and major supermarkets under an organization called Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA).
The consortium, which includes Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Nestlé, Mars, and McCormick Foods, aims to recycle about 300,000 tonnes of flexible plastics annually, such as food wrappers, bags, and bubble wrap.
However, critics fear that the plan could transfer costs to consumers instead of encouraging companies to reduce their plastic production.
Under the proposed model, SPSA will fund the collection, sorting, and processing of plastics through levies charged to manufacturers and retailers.
The levy will start at $160 per tonne of packaging and rise to $200 per tonne by mid-2026.
Officials say this could lead to small price increases—about one cent on most items or two cents for larger packs.
While the initiative marks progress in tackling waste, it will initially recycle only a small fraction of Australia’s 538,000 tonnes of annual soft plastic waste, and none will be turned back into packaging for now.
Environmental groups warn that the voluntary nature of the program could lead to green-washing if accountability measures are weak.
Zero Waste Victoria and other campaigners ar for transparency, arguing that consumers deserve assurance that levy funds will not be misused.
SPSA has pledged to expand its board and introduce independent oversight to ensure fairness and long-term sustainability.
Despite concerns, supporters say the initiative represents a critical step toward restoring trust in Australia’s recycling system and aligning with global best practices in waste management.
