South Australia · Adelaide
Soft plastics recycling in SA
In South Australia, as at September 2026, soft plastics are collected through Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia at dedicated bins at the front of metropolitan Woolworths stores, according to Which Bin SA. That is metro only. Without a store nearby, bread bags go in the red or blue landfill bin, never the yellow recycling bin.
Sources Which Bin SA: drop off soft plasticsWhich Bin SAWoolworths: soft plastics recycling
What do I do with soft plastics in SA?
- The scrunch test If it scrunches in your fist and stays scrunched, it's a soft plastic — bread bags, pasta packets, bubble wrap, courier satchels.
- Never the recycling bin Soft plastics are the single biggest contaminant in kerbside recycling in Australia.
- You might have a bin Woolworths hosts soft-plastics bins at the front of more than 700 stores with Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia, but not in some regional areas. Check your nearest participating store before you drive.
As at September 2026 some SA supermarkets host a soft-plastics bin. Check the store before you drive.
Nearest drop-off: Which Bin SA
Can I put soft plastics in the recycling bin in SA?
No. Which Bin SA is explicit that soft plastics belong in the red or blue landfill bin, never the yellow recycling bin or the green organics bin. Soft plastics wrap around sorting machinery and stop the facility while someone cuts them out by hand. The one exception is certified compostable packaging carrying the AS 4736 seedling logo, which goes in the green organics bin.
Where can I drop off soft plastics in Adelaide?
At the dedicated soft plastic recycling bins at the front of metropolitan Woolworths stores. Which Bin SA says those bins run in partnership with Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia, whose program covers more than 700 stores nationally as at September 2026. Woolworths says collection is not yet viable in some regional areas of South Australia.
How do I tell a soft plastic from a hard one?
Crush it in your hand. Soft plastic stays crushed and goes to a store bin or the landfill bin. Rigid plastic, like a yoghurt tub, springs back and belongs in the yellow recycling bin.
What goes in the soft plastics bin?
Clean, dry soft plastic only. Anything with food residue or liquid in it contaminates the load. Certified compostable soft plastics carrying the AS 4736 seedling logo do not belong in the collection: they go in the green organics bin instead. Hard plastics stay in the yellow lid recycling bin, and anything you cannot get to a store goes in the red or blue landfill bin.
Need it gone this week?
Compare council collection, recycling and pickup options on the skip bin hire page for Adelaide.