Big Bag Recovery Taps GT Recycling to Scale Up Industrial Plastic Bag Recycling in Australia

In a move set to enhance Australia’s recycling capabilities, Big Bag Recovery has entered into a strategic partnership with GT Recycling, a family-owned processor based in Victoria. According to the companies’ joint announcement, the collaboration aims to strengthen local processing infrastructure and support circular economy initiatives by recycling industrial plastic bags.

Under the new agreement, GT Recycling will now serve as the official processor for woven polypropylene (wPP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bulk bags under Australia’s only government-endorsed stewardship scheme for plastic bags exceeding 15kg capacity.

The bags, commonly used in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction sectors, have historically been sent to landfill, incinerated, or stockpiled due to the lack of viable recovery options. However, the new agreement seeks to turn these waste streams into valuable resources.

“This partnership represents a significant step forward for our national recycling efforts,” said Helena Tierney, General Manager of Big Bag Recovery. “Our partnership with GT Recycling expands local processing capacity and creates new opportunities for Australian manufacturers to use domestically recycled polypropylene pellets and actively contribute to a thriving circular economy.”

GT Recycling will process materials at its facility in Moolap, Victoria, and also manage volumes collected from Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales, and Western Australia.

According to GT Recycling’s Business Development Manager, Brett McLean, “Our shared values as family-owned businesses mean we’re both deeply invested in long-term environmental outcomes and community-driven innovation. We’re proud to be supporting Big Bag Recovery and this vital national scheme.”

The collaboration comes on the heels of Big Bag Recovery’s recent expansion milestones. Earlier this year, its partner organization Circular Communities Australia launched the country’s first dedicated bulk bag recycling facility in Toowoomba, Queensland.

Together with GT Recycling and Circular Communities Australia, the initiative is expected to recycle over 5.5 million kilograms of bulk bags annually.

Source: PKN Packagingnews