Latest News About Woolworths Soft Plastics Recycling

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:

• Packaging News article on the expansion to 700+ stores and regional rollout details.[1]
• Woolworths Group newsroom post confirming the in-store soft plastics collection across 700+ stores and key partner details.[3]

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]