Can You Recycle Zip Lock Bags in Australia?
By Lottie Dalziel, Founder of Banish · Last updated: April 2026
Quick answer: Zip lock bags and resealable plastic bags cannot go in the kerbside yellow-lid recycling bin. They are soft plastics that jam sorting machinery. You can recycle them through Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA) collection points at participating supermarkets just make sure they're clean and dry first.
Zip lock bags are wonderfully useful for school lunches, food storage, travel toiletries, keeping documents dry. But they're almost never recycled. Most households use dozens of them a year, and virtually all of them end up in landfill.
The polyethylene zip lock bag is classified as a soft plastic, putting it in the same category as plastic bags and cling wrap: useful, ubiquitous, and unacceptable in the yellow bin. Here's how to recycle them properly.
Why zip lock bags can't go in the yellow bin
Like all soft plastics, zip lock bags jam the conveyor belts and sorting machinery at kerbside recycling facilities. Even a small number of soft plastics in the yellow bin can disrupt operations. All Australian recycling facilities ask you to keep soft plastics out of kerbside recycling entirely.
The zip-lock mechanism itself a polyethylene track-and-groove closure doesn't add significant complexity, but the bag's soft, flexible nature is the core issue.
How to recycle zip lock bags in Australia
Option 1: SPSA collection points (recommended)
Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA) operates collection bins at participating Coles and Woolworths supermarkets. Clean, dry zip lock bags are accepted as part of the soft plastics stream.
To prepare zip lock bags for recycling:
- Wash and dry thoroughly. This is the most important step. Zip lock bags must be clean and completely dry. Food residue can contaminate other recyclables. Wash in warm soapy water, rinse, and lay flat to dry.
- Check for silicone. Silicone zip lock bags look similar to plastic ones but feel different they're more rubbery and flexible. Silicone is not accepted in soft plastic recycling.
- Bundle and flatten. Stack flat, dried bags together and drop off at your nearest SPSA collection point.
Visit spsa.au to find your nearest collection point.
Option 2: Council soft plastic drop-off
Some councils accept soft plastics at Community Recycling Centres or transfer stations. Check your council's website or use Recycling Near You to find what's accepted near you.
What types of zip lock bags can be recycled?
- Zip lock bags and snap-lock bags (all sizes)
- Resealable plastic food storage bags
- Press-seal bags from supermarkets
- Plastic bags used for travel toiletries (100ml security bags)
- Reusable zip lock bags that have reached end of life
Not accepted for soft plastic recycling
- Compostable zip lock bags (labelled AS 5810 require industrial composting)
- Dirty bags with excessive food residue that can't be cleaned
- Silicone zip lock bags silicone is a different material to plastic
Reducing zip lock bag use
The most sustainable zip lock bag is one you don't use at all. Some practical alternatives:
- Reusable silicone bags long-lasting and dishwasher-safe
- Beeswax or plant wax wraps for food storage
- Glass jars and containers with lids
- Stainless steel containers with snap lids for school lunches
If you do use zip lock bags, the next best option is to wash and reuse them multiple times before eventually sending them for recycling.
What about other hard-to-recycle items?
Zip lock bags are soft plastics and belong at SPSA collection points. However, if you have other hard-to-recycle items like blister packs, beauty packaging, old toothbrushes, or writing instruments, the BRAD (Banish Recycling and Diversion) Program accepts those via post from anywhere in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can zip lock bags go in the yellow recycling bin?
No. Zip lock bags are soft plastics and will jam kerbside sorting machinery. They must be kept out of the yellow bin. Drop them at an SPSA collection point after washing and drying.
Do zip lock bags need to be washed before recycling?
Yes. Zip lock bags should be washed and completely dried before dropping off at a collection point. Food residue and moisture can contaminate the recycling batch.
Can I include silicone zip lock bags in soft plastic recycling?
No. Silicone is not plastic and requires a different recycling pathway. Some manufacturers offer take-back programs for worn silicone products.
Can I reuse zip lock bags before recycling?
Absolutely and we encourage it. Washing and reusing zip lock bags multiple times is the most sustainable approach. When they're no longer suitable for reuse, clean and dry them before dropping at an SPSA collection point.
Can I recycle zip lock bags through BRAD?
No. BRAD does not accept soft plastics, including zip lock bags. For soft plastic recycling, use an SPSA collection point at a participating supermarket.