Why plastic recycling should be a priority for your company
For modern businesses, plastic recycling is no longer just a tick-box compliance activity. It’s a strategic commitment that shows customers, investors, and the wider community you’re serious about sustainability. Across Australia, over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually, yet only a fraction is recovered. That’s a staggering amount of missed opportunity for companies to take meaningful action.
By placing plastic recycling at the core of your operations, you’re not just reducing waste, you’re contributing to a circular economy. This means turning discarded items into valuable resources instead of sending them to landfill. The recycling of plastic materials plays a critical role in this transition, helping to conserve resources and lower the environmental footprint of your business.
Reground has established itself as a trusted partner for organisations committed to managing their plastic for recycling in a smarter, more effective way. Whether you need ongoing soft plastic collection or expert guidance on implementing soft plastics recycling Melbourne initiatives, Reground’s solutions make it simple to take action.
The environmental and economic benefits of plastic recycling
The environmental case for plastic recycling is clear. Every kilogram of plastic diverted from landfill helps conserve energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and preserve natural resources. Plastics, when left to break down in landfill or the environment, can take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful emissions and microplastics into ecosystems. By investing in the recycling of plastic materials, businesses can be part of the solution rather than the problem.
From an economic standpoint, plastic recycling is a cost-cutting opportunity hiding in plain sight. Redirecting recyclable plastics away from general waste streams reduces disposal costs and frees up budget for other sustainability initiatives. On top of that, aligning your brand with environmental responsibility can improve reputation, enhance customer loyalty, and attract partners who share your values.
Soft plastics, in particular, pose a unique challenge. Lightweight, flexible, and common in packaging, they are often overlooked in workplace recycling programs. In cities like Melbourne, soft plastics recycling Melbourne is gaining momentum, with forward-thinking companies turning to specialists like Reground to ensure these materials are collected, processed, and repurposed responsibly.
How to build an effective plastic recycling program
Launching a business-wide plastic recycling initiative doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a step-by-step approach to get started.
Audit Your Plastic Waste Streams Identify where plastic enters and exits your business. This could include packaging, shipping materials, single-use items, or manufacturing by-products. Include soft plastics in your assessment, they’re often the most underestimated waste source and perfect candidates for soft plastic collection.
Identify Recyclable Plastics and Risks Work with your waste contractor to determine which recyclable plastics you generate and how to avoid contamination. The wrong materials in your plastic for recycling bins can compromise the entire load.
Set Up Clear Collection Systems Place clearly marked bins in convenient areas. Ensure bins for recycling plastics are easily distinguished from general waste. Include instructions on what can and can’t go in to minimise contamination.
Train Your Team Recycling success depends on participation. Provide staff with easy-to-understand guidance on plastic recycling processes, from what can go in the bins to the importance of keeping non-recyclables out. Raising staff awareness of what they’re wasting can also help reduce the amount of these materials being used.
Monitor and Improve Track the volumes of plastic for recycling you divert each month. Use the data to highlight progress in sustainability reports and share wins with your team.
Reground can help businesses at every stage of this process, from initial waste audits to ongoing soft plastics recycling Melbourne services, ensuring your program is efficient and circular.
Why plastic recycling should be central to your sustainability goals
When you view plastic recycling as a pillar of your sustainability plan, it unlocks wider benefits. It’s not just about waste reduction, it’s about embedding environmental responsibility into your brand DNA.
Integrating the recycling of plastic materials into your Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments sends a strong message to stakeholders. It shows you’re actively working to reduce environmental harm and supporting a circular economy. For many businesses, this kind of proactive leadership is a differentiator in competitive markets.
From a reporting standpoint, the measurable results of plastic recycling feed directly into sustainability reports, certifications, and community engagement programs. Tracking the amount of recyclable plastics recovered provides hard evidence of progress.
Reground offers tailored support to help companies move towards closed-loop systems, where plastic for recycling is not just collected but transformed into new, useful products. By implementing recycling plastics strategies that are transparent and results-driven, businesses can achieve both environmental impact and positive PR.
Partner with Reground for smarter plastic recycling solutions
Prioritising plastic recycling in your company is a decision that pays off for the planet, your customers, and your bottom line. From reducing landfill waste and conserving resources to strengthening your ESG credentials, the case is undeniable. The recycling of plastic materials ensures valuable resources don’t go to waste, while targeted soft plastic collection services address the often-overlooked issue of flexible plastics in business waste streams.
Reground has the expertise and infrastructure to make your plastic recycling program a success. Whether you need to identify the right recyclable plastics to focus on, establish reliable collection points, or scale your soft plastics recycling Melbourne efforts, they provide the solutions to get it done right.
Act now. Every day your business delays in optimising plastic recycling is another day of unnecessary waste. Partner with Reground to develop a tailored program that fits your operations and sustainability goals. Visit Reground’s Soft Plastic Recycling page to learn more, or contact the team to start building your plan today.