To show Aussies how simple and easy it can be to recycle their soft plastics, Helga’s recruited two families to try a week-long experiment, using Helga’s bread bags to collect soft plastics for recycling.
Over the week, the families collectively filled eight bread bags and returned them to REDcycle for recycling. These soft plastics may have otherwise ended up in landfill.
Aussies are keen to recycle, but there is confusion around what’s recyclable and how to recycle it, according to new research by Helga’s, which found that almost half (46%) of bread shoppers don’t recycle their bread bags.
Of the 46 per cent that don’t recycle their bread bags, 75 per cent said they didn’t know they could. Among the half (54%) that do recycle, there is still a significant amount of confusion about how to recycle, with less than half of people surveyed recycling in the REDcycle bins – designated for soft plastic recycling.
“By designing for recycling and communicating clearly, Helga’s can help consumers by educating them on how to best participate in, and understand, recycling options available for their plastic packaging,” said Belinda Elworthy, Helga’s head of retail marketing & category.
“To be kinder to our planet, we’re encouraging Helga’s lovers to make small changes, starting with collecting and recycling bread bags, which could help to recycle more than 62 million bags per year.”
The Blair family (Haley Blair, Benjamin Saunders and their two children) and the Taylor family (Arielle, Mark and their eight children) took on the experiment. Both families were not aware soft plastics could be recycled prior to the experiment and documented their journey over a week.
“I am very used to recycling cans and bottles, but I never thought of recycling the bread bag. It’s always something I’ve put in the bin. Taking part in this experiment has made me aware of how easy it is to recycle soft plastics,” said Benjamin Saunders.
“Moving forward, we will be very conscious in our purchasing choices, the products that we use, and how we dispose of them. I definitely recommend giving this experiment a go.”
Both families have pledged to continue their new habit after seeing how much soft plastic they had been throwing away, which will potentially lead to 416 bread bags full of soft plastics that won’t be going to landfill each year.
Helga’s has 100 per cent recyclable packaging for its loaves, rolls and wraps through REDcycle, as well as 100 per cent recyclable cardboard bread tags across its range.
