ACCC Backs National Scheme

The ACCC’s Draft Determination authorising Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia’s (SPSA) recycling scheme marks a major advance in rebuilding Australia’s soft plastics recycling capacity.

SPSA now has approval to begin key activities, including service provider selection and setting a levy to fund the scheme, shifting efforts towards a coordinated supply-chain approach.

Scheme Overview

Established in August 2024, SPSA unites over 40 brands and retailers under a transparent, accountable not-for-profit entity, consolidating previous recycling initiatives. Joint CEO Barry Cosier highlights the importance of industry leadership and shared responsibility for plastics management, emphasising the scheme’s end-to-end stewardship model that supports sustainable infrastructure investment.

Phased Implementation

The ACCC supports SPSA’s three-phase strategy:

• Interim: SPSA takes over pilot programs and starts collecting levies.
• Draft: Procurement of recycling services begins.
• Final: Authorisation for eight years enables long-term investment and stability.

Initial levy is $160 per tonne, funding the full process from collection to market development, with efforts to align definitions across packaging schemes.

Addressing Past Issues & Market Demand

SPSA is contributing $16 million over eight years to help resolve the REDcycle stockpile left after the program’s collapse, ensuring ethical cost-sharing among members. The scheme also works to create demand for recycled content, collaborating with recyclers and supporting achievable mandatory targets.

Industry Participation

A public consultation awaits before the final decision in September. SPSA encourages wider industry involvement to support expansion and build a robust circular economy for soft plastics. Chair Bill Heague and CEO Cosier stress collaboration and commitment as essential for scaling solutions and delivering lasting environmental benefits.