How does the soft plastics initiative work?

What soft plastic is collected?

Soft plastic is a plastic that can be easily scrunched in your hand.

Once the soft plastic is collected, where does it go?

We're partnered with a network of soft plastics recyclers to offer the best solution currently available in your area. The process generally follows these steps:

1. Collection – Once collected, soft plastics are taken to consolidation points, where sorting begins.
2. Sorting – Soft plastics are sorted and contaminants are identified before the baling process.
3. Baling – Soft plastics are then baled or compacted, ready to be sent to a recycler.
4. Sent to recyclers – Once enough volume has been collected, the bales are sent on to one of our recycling partners, where the recycling process begins.

What happens to the soft plastic once it reaches a recycler?

Soft plastics recycling isn't one-size-fits-all. Depending on the recycler and the type of plastic, your items can follow different paths, including:

• Being processed into plastic pellets, which are used as an additive in asphalt for road construction, or combined with other upcycled materials to produce construction products such as benches, panels, and wall materials.
• Being turned into feedstock oil, which is then processed into resin and used in consumer goods, such as packaging, or in new plastics.

How can we be sure what is collected will be processed?

At RecycleSmart, we want to make sure that every item we collect is recycled. We achieve this by:

• Putting agreements in place with our vetted recyclers
• Working with multiple recyclers for the same material to diversify our approach

Is there any waste from the plastic and where does it go?

Any contaminants identified during sorting are removed before baling, and are diverted where possible rather than sent to landfill, with further use depending on the recycler.