Here’s the latest on Woolworths soft plastics recycling.
Woolworths has renewed and expanded its in-store soft plastics recycling network to more than 700 stores across five states. The program has been running since a trial started in 2024 and continues to grow with strong customer demand. The expansion makes soft plastics recycling accessible at a large portion of its footprint, aligning with broader industry moves toward coordinated national stewardship.[1][3]
The renewed program has processed tens of millions of pieces of soft plastic since its revival, with around 310 tonnes reported to date, and the materials are being recycled locally into products such as in-store wall panels and bread bags containing recycled content. Woolworths emphasizes partnerships with local recyclers to deliver the program at scale.[3][1]
Coverage now includes additional South Australian stores joining the scheme, following earlier expansions in Victoria and New South Wales, with ongoing collaboration through Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA) to coordinate national efforts.[1][3]
Public statements from Woolworths highlight customer demand and a commitment to reducing household soft plastic waste through convenient in-store drop-offs, with ongoing investments in recycling capacity (e.g., new facilities capable of processing thousands of tonnes) and building materials derived from recycled plastics.[3][1]
For convenience, here are a few representative sources:
If you’d like, I can pull the exact store list for your area in Chicago, but Woolworths operates in Australia, so I can instead summarize how similar soft plastics programs work in U.S. retailers near you. Would you like that comparison?[1][3]
Soft plastic packaging drop off recommences at Woolworths stores, including the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and South Coast. From Woolworth’s web site the following stores in these areas should have a collection bin, similar to the one above somewhere near the front of the store.
www.circularplasticsillawarra.orgThe establishment of the Soft Plastics Taskforce serves as a critical response to the challenges posed …
news.sohu.comThursday, 7 May 2026: Soft plastics recycling is officially back in more than 700 Woolworths stores across five states, providing Australian families with a convenient way to reduce household waste. The renewed soft plastics recycling scheme was first launched as a trial in five Victorian Woolworths stores in February 2024. Since then, hundreds more locations have rolled out their collection points, with select Woolworths stores in South Australia joining the scheme this week. With this...
www.woolworthsgroup.com.auMore than 700 Woolworths supermarkets across five states are now accepting soft plastics again, marking a major expansion of Australia’s growing soft plastics recovery network.
www.packagingnews.com.auA soft plastics recycling bin has returned to Woolworths Lane Cove. This marks the expansion of a trial around the country run by the Soft Plastics Taskforce (SPT), which is […]
inthecove.com.au