{"id":8692,"date":"2025-08-11T05:49:36","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T09:49:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=8692"},"modified":"2025-08-11T05:49:36","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T09:49:36","slug":"accc-proposes-new-soft-plastics-recycling-scheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=8692","title":{"rendered":"ACCC proposes new soft plastics recycling scheme"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The authorisation would be active for eight years. Credit:
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has proposed authorising Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA) to establish a voluntary scheme aimed at enhancing the recycling of soft plastic packaging.<\/p>\n

This initiative seeks to address the environmental concerns associated with soft plastics such as shopping bags and food wrappers by increasing their collection and recycling rates.<\/p>\n

Industry giants, including Woolworths Group, Coles Group, ALDI, Nestl\u00e9, Mars, and McCormick Foods are the initial members of the scheme.<\/p>\n

Last July, the ACCC granted interim authorisation to Coles Group<\/a>, Woolworths Group, and ALDI Stores (Australia) to continue their collaborative efforts in recycling stockpiled soft plastics in the country.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said: \u201cIt is clear that many Australians are concerned about the environmental impacts of soft plastic packaging and want to recycle it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe the proposed scheme will result in an environmental benefit as it aims to take over and expand the current in-store collection and kerbside pilots for recycling soft plastic packaging, meaning some soft plastics are likely to be diverted from landfill.\u201d<\/p>\n

In its assessment, the ACCC concluded that the environmental advantages of the scheme would outweigh any potential negative impacts on competition.<\/p>\n

The authorisation, if granted, would be in effect for eight years and would include conditions to ensure transparency and prevent exclusive contracts with processors.<\/p>\n

Interim authorisation has already been granted to SPSA to facilitate the transfer of operations from the Soft Plastics Taskforce, including the sharing of operational information and data.<\/p>\n

According to the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, over 540,000 tonnes (t) of soft plastic packaging were utilised by manufacturers between 2022 and 2023, but only 6% was recovered.<\/p>\n

The proposed SPSA scheme would be funded through a levy on participants, based on the amount of business-to-consumer soft plastic packaging they introduce to the market.<\/p>\n

Separately, the Australian Government is working on reforms to minimise packaging waste and promote a circular economy for packaging, which is distinct from the SPSA scheme.<\/p>\n

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