The NZMCA uses soft plastic packaging on their publications, including the Motor Caravanner magazine and Travel Directory. According to their survey, 75% of Wings members throw away their wrappers. The problem is that plastics are not recyclable and eventually end up in landfill. This makes them particularly damaging because the degrading process requires more energy and resources than other materials. Moreover, many recycling facilities do not accept soft plastics. Thus, most of the soft plastics used by the NZMCA end up in the landfill.
The Co-op study highlights the importance of recycling and making recycled soft plastics easier to use. Although soft plastics are extremely convenient, they are difficult to recycle on a large scale and the majority ends up in the landfill. This led the company to develop the first ever food wrapper made with recycled content in Australia. The Wrapper contains 30% recycled polypropylene and is made with a mass balance approach. As a result, it can be used again to make more food wrappers.
Soft plastic packaging is recyclable in Europe, but there are currently no recycling facilities that accept them. It can be recycled into new soft plastics by using advanced recycling techniques. However, the lack of infrastructure in Australia prevents this from happening yet. It is important to remember that there is no solution to the problem of unwanted soft plastics in our landfills. For example, the Co-op’s recycling scheme will accept any soft plastic wrapping purchased from other retailers and sells it to consumers in the South West.
Recyclable soft plastic packaging is an important part of a sustainable future. A growing number of supermarkets have started accepting these items for recycling. For example, Nestle has begun accepting bags and film used for packaging of KitKats. They have also introduced in-store recycling schemes that accept this material. So now, if you buy a bread bag from a grocery store, it will still be safe for the environment. So, instead of throwing away the bread, you can recycle it in a safe place.
The Co-op’s recycling scheme was introduced in 2010 to curb the use of soft plastics. The scheme has become Europe’s largest soft plastic collection site, and accepts packaging from other stores. It is also a greener way to recycle the soft plastics that most consumers are not able to recycle. If you buy from a store, the company will recycle your wrapping for you. The packaging will be composted and the packaging will be reused again.
The Co-op has launched an in-store recycling scheme for soft plastics. It is currently the biggest in Europe, and will take back soft plastics for recycling. The scheme includes grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, and the plastic wraps of various products like KitKats and chocolates. It is also a good option for a recycling centre to collect and recycle soft plastics. When a retailer starts accepting this type of packaging, it will reduce the amount of food waste.