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Coles and Woolworths have successfully removed more than 4,000 tonnes of soft plastic stockpiles across NSW with more than 90% of the material now on track for recycling rather than landfill.
This milestone marks a major step in addressing the environmental risks posed by the collapse of REDcycle in 2023, with the supermarkets now fully compliant with Clean-up Notices issued by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The EPA required Coles and Woolworths to move the stockpiled soft plastics to safe storage after identifying 15 sites across NSW that posed serious fire and pollution risks.
The supermarkets were provided with additional time by the EPA to comply with the notices to enable the retailers to find a long-term, sustainable solution for the material.
NSW EPA Director of Operations, Adam Gilligan said 3,789 tonnes of the total 4,102 tonnes collected have now been sent to recycling processors.
"We are pleased that the vast majority of this material has been kept out of landfill. That's a significant environmental outcome, and a major reason why the EPA supported an extended timeframe to find responsible, enduring solutions."
All stockpiles have now been cleared, and the supermarkets have fulfilled their obligations under the notices.
"When retailers actively promote recycling schemes to their customers, they have a responsibility to ensure those schemes deliver real environmental outcomes. It is not just good business, it is a commitment to their customers and to the environment. Due diligence cannot stop at collection, it must extend to making sure the material is properly managed and recycled."
The NSW EPA is continuing to work working closely with counterparts in other jurisdictions to ensure a co-ordinated national approach is taken to find solutions to the recycling of soft plastics.
