Recycling Soft Plastics at Your Business: A Step-by-Step Guide to Sustainability

In today’s world, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a responsibility. Businesses across Australia are stepping up, and one of the easiest wins is to recycle soft plastics properly. Whether you're a small café or a large-scale operation, understanding how to manage your soft plastic waste can drastically reduce your environmental footprint and contribute to a circular economy. Let’s dive into how your business can take actionable steps towards positive environmental change.

Why Recycling Soft Plastics in Business Matters

Every day, tonnes of soft plastic waste—think packaging, shrink wraps, and pallet wraps—pile up in landfills. When your business chooses to recycle soft plastics, you’re taking a stand against pollution and carbon-heavy waste streams. Businesses are responsible for a significant chunk of Australia’s plastic waste, and by acting now, you can help curb this environmental crisis.

Sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for business too. Customers, employees, and stakeholders increasingly favour brands that prioritise eco-friendly operations. By implementing soft plastic recycling Australia initiatives, you can reduce your carbon footprint, boost your brand reputation, and inspire others in your industry to follow suit.

Even small businesses can make a mighty impact. A local café reducing its plastic packaging waste or a boutique retailer switching to reusable materials can collectively save tons of waste annually. When recycling soft plastics, you're building a more resilient and responsible business model.

How to Identify and Sort Soft Plastics for Business Recycling

First things first: what are soft plastics? These are flexible plastics that can be scrunched into a ball—think plastic bags, bubble wrap, or bread bags. The easiest way to check? Do the scrunch test. If the material stays scrunched in your hand, it’s soft plastic and likely recyclable. Since recycling soft plastics requires proper sorting, training your team to identify the right materials is crucial.

Sorting is key. Clean plastics are essential for recycling; contaminated materials (those with food residue or liquids) often can’t be processed. To ensure a smooth recycling journey, educate your team on how to differentiate between recyclable soft plastics and general waste.

At your workplace, start by identifying where soft plastics are generated. Packaging stations, shipping areas, and kitchens are common culprits. Once identified, set up designated storage bins, making sure the plastics are clean and dry before tossing them in.

Where and How to Recycle Soft Plastics for Businesses

So, where to start recycling soft plastics as a business? Start local. Some councils provide business recycling solutions. But for a streamlined, business-focused approach, partner with organisations like Reground, who specialise in recycling soft plastics tailored for businesses.

With Reground, you can set up in-house collection bins that make it easy for your team to dispose of soft plastic waste responsibly. From there, we’ll handle scheduled collections, ensuring your materials are taken to proper recycling facilities. Businesses that prioritise recycling soft plastics can reduce waste output significantly and contribute to a circular economy.

For those wanting even more control, Reground can work with your team to coordinate drop-off services or help you tap into local infrastructure. The goal? Make it effortless for your business to recycle soft plastics consistently.

Visit Reground’s soft plastic recycling services to learn how easy it is to get started.

Reducing Soft Plastic Waste in Business Operations

Recycling is only half the battle; reducing your soft plastic usage is where you can really drive change. Opt for suppliers offering compostable or reusable packaging. Implement waste minimisation strategies like bulk purchasing to cut down on unnecessary packaging, and review operations regularly to identify areas for improvement.

Another powerful step is partnering with sustainable suppliers who are as committed to the environment as you are. Swap single-use plastic packaging for reusable containers, cloth bags, or cardboard alternatives. These small shifts significantly reduce the demand for new plastic.

Lastly, education is everything. Make sure your team and customers know the “why” behind your eco-efforts. Clear signage, internal workshops, and external communication help create a shared sense of purpose, turning your recycling soft plastics program into a community movement.

How Reground Supports Businesses with Soft Plastic Recycling

At Reground, we believe businesses play a crucial role in building a circular economy. That’s why we provide tailored services to help businesses with recycling soft plastics responsibly. Whether you’re looking for regular collections, one-off drop-offs, or bespoke waste management consultations, we’ve got your back.

Our programs are designed to integrate seamlessly with your operations, making it simple and hassle-free to divert soft plastics from landfill. The impact? Reduced waste, lower emissions, and a business that leads by example.

Don’t just take our word for it. Many of our clients have transformed their operations by partnering with Reground—switching from landfill-heavy systems to sustainable, closed-loop models that benefit both the planet and their bottom line.  A strong commitment to recycling soft plastics not only reduces waste but also enhances brand credibility.

Ready to step up your sustainability game? Check out Reground’s soft plastics collection service or get in touch with our team here to get started.

A Few Final Reminders

• Can soft plastic be recycled? Absolutely—and your business has the power to make a difference.

• Knowing how to recycle soft plastic effectively can position your company as an industry leader in sustainability.

• There’s never been a better time to act. Let’s build a cleaner, greener future together.

For more on Reground’s mission, visit Our Mission and become part of the solution.

Coffee Grounds in The Garden: A Natural, Eco-Friendly Boost for Your Plants

On the lookout for sustainable ways to enhance soil quality and plant health? One of the simplest and most effective methods is coffee grounds in the garden. This natural byproduct of your morning brew is packed with essential nutrients, making it a powerful ally in eco-friendly gardening. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits, best practices, and myths surrounding gardening with coffee, and how Reground can help you access a sustainable supply.

Why Use Coffee Grounds for Gardening?

The Benefits of Organic Waste Recycling

Recycling organic waste is a fundamental practice in sustainable gardening. Used coffee grounds for the garden not only reduce landfill waste but also repurpose a valuable organic material that might otherwise go to waste. By incorporating coffee grounds into your gardening routine, you contribute to a circular economy while enriching your soil naturally. If you’ve ever wondered, are coffee grounds good for the garden, the answer is a resounding yes—they help improve soil structure, provide nutrients, and support beneficial microbes.

Nutrient-Rich Soil Enhancement

One of the biggest advantages of using coffee in garden soil is its ability to enhance fertility. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, a crucial nutrient that promotes leafy plant growth. They also contain phosphorus and potassium, essential for root development and overall plant health. How does coffee grounds help plants? By slowly releasing these key nutrients into the soil, coffee grounds support plant growth in a sustainable, eco-friendly way.

A Cost-Effective, Eco-Friendly Alternative

Instead of spending money on chemical fertilisers, why not harness the power of coffee for gardening? Coffee grounds provide a natural and sustainable solution, ensuring your plants receive the nutrients they need without the environmental drawbacks of synthetic products.

How Coffee Grounds Improve Soil Quality

Improving Aeration and Moisture Retention

Healthy soil structure is key to thriving plants. When added to garden beds, coffee grounds in the garden help break up compacted soil, improving aeration and drainage. This leads to better root penetration and healthier plant growth.

Contributing Essential Nutrients

As mentioned earlier, coffee for the garden supplies nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus—key elements that promote lush greenery and strong root systems. As the grounds decompose, they release these nutrients slowly, providing a steady supply to your plants.

Boosting Beneficial Microbial Activity

Soil microbes play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter and making nutrients available to plants. Coffee and gardening go hand in hand because coffee grounds encourage microbial activity, leading to healthier, more fertile soil.

Balancing pH Levels

Did you know that coffee grounds in the garden can actually help balance soil that is too acidic? While fresh coffee itself is acidic, used grounds tend to be closer to neutral, making coffee grounds in the garden a great way to naturally regulate pH levels. This means they can be beneficial for a wide range of plants, ensuring a balanced growing environment.

The Best Ways to Use Coffee Grounds in The Garden

Mixing Directly into Soil

One of the simplest methods is to mix coffee grounds in the garden soil. Sprinkle a thin layer around plants or work it into the soil to improve texture and nutrient content.

Adding to Compost

Composting is an excellent way to recycle used coffee grounds for the garden. They act as a “green” nitrogen-rich component, balancing out carbon-heavy materials like dried leaves or newspaper.

Using as a Natural Mulch

Applying a layer of coffee for gardening as mulch can help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure over time. However, always mix it with other organic matter to prevent it from clumping and forming a barrier.

Natural Pest Control

Did you know that gardening with coffee can help deter pests? Slugs, snails, and some insects dislike coffee grounds, making them an effective, chemical-free deterrent. Simply sprinkle around vulnerable plants as a protective barrier.

Common Myths and Mistakes to Avoid

Overuse of Coffee Grounds

Too much of a good thing can be harmful. Excessive coffee in garden soil can lead to compacted earth, restricting water and air flow. Moderation is key—blend coffee grounds with other compost materials.

The Acidity Myth

Many gardeners worry that coffee grounds in the garden will make soil too acidic. As we mentioned above, fresh coffee is acidic and used coffee grounds are generally neutral. However, always test soil pH before application.

Preventing Mould Growth

If coffee grounds are left in thick layers, they can retain moisture and encourage mould. To avoid this, mix them into compost or soil rather than using them in large clumps.

Choosing the Right Plants

Not all plants thrive with coffee for the garden. Acid-loving plants may benefit more than alkaline-loving plants. Research your plants' preferences before application.

Get Sustainable Coffee Grounds for Your Garden with Reground

Looking for a reliable, eco-conscious supply of coffee grounds in the garden? Reground is dedicated to repurposing coffee waste, helping gardeners and farmers create healthier, more sustainable growing environments.

By sourcing from Reground, you ensure your coffee for gardening practices align with sustainability goals. We make it easy for you to access high-quality used coffee grounds for the garden, supporting a greener planet with every application.

Learn more about how we can support your gardening journey and explore our ground coffee recycling here.

Ready to transform your garden naturally with coffee grounds in the garden? Contact us now.