Curby’s Mission
Curby is a program that helps Aussie’s keep soft plastics out of the environment through offering convenient collection solutions and incentivising positive recycling behaviour through the Curby Rewards program. Specially marked Curby Program Bags feature a unique QR code that once scanned in the Curby App provide traceability of the specific material collected, from when it leaves the household, to when it’s processed, and when it’s turned into a new product – creating transparency and trust where it’s needed most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Curby?
Curby is a program that helps Aussie’s keep soft plastics out of the environment through offering convenient collection solutions and incentivising positive recycling behaviour through the Curby Rewards program. Specially marked Curby Program Bags feature a unique QR code that once scanned in the Curby App provide traceability of the specific material collected, from when it leaves the household, to when it’s processed, and when it’s turned into a new product – creating transparency and trust where it’s needed most.
What can i put in my CurbyBag?
We accept clean, soft or flexible plastics placed inside a soft plastic bag.
Common soft plastics include:
- Soft Plastic Snack wrappers
- Foil lined Chip packets
- Soft Plastic Fresh produce bags
- Soft Plastic Fruit netting (with the metal bits cut off)
- Soft Plastic Toilet paper wrapping
- Plastic carry bags
- Protective plastic film used in consumer goods packaging
- Dry pet food bags
- Cling wrap
- Any “scrunchable” soft plastics labelled with the 2, 4 or 5 recycling numbers
- Empty packaging with the ‘Return to Store’ or ‘Store Drop Off’ ARL (Australasian Recycling Label) symbol
Keep an ear out! Soft plastics will generally be scrunched into a ball without making a loud crunch noise. Biscuit trays are an example of something that is commonly mistaken for soft plastics.
If you aren’t sure, email us (support@curbcycle.com.au) a photo of the packaging and we’ll tell you!
Be sure to fill your bag as full as possible before tying it tightly and scanning the QR code.
What is a CurbyTag?
The CurbyTag is a sticker which you’ll need to attach to the outside of the Curby Bag once you have filled with clean soft plastic and tied it.
The tag includes a QR code which will be used to help identify the bags at the recycling centre and also provide information to assess how the trial is working.
How do you collect my Curby tagged bag?
The Curby Program taps into the existing bin collection service offered through Council, all the recycling (including the Curby tagged bag) is placed inside the yellow bin to be collected on your normal bin collection day. From here, your recycling makes it’s way to the recycling facility where we recover your Curby tagged bag!
The only new steps for you are to scan your Curby tagged bag and pop it in your recycling, we’ll do the rest!
If you prefer to drop your CurbyBags off at your local supermarket, your CurbyBag will be delivered directly to our processing partners facility!
Where can I drop my CurbyBag off?
The App will let you know if Kerbside recycling is available in your area or where your nearest drop off point is located.
Where does my material go once it has been collected?
Once you have placed your CurbyBag in the yellow lidded bin, your CurbyBag will make its way to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where it will be picked out and separated from the rest of the comingled recycling. From here it is baled and sent for processing, which may vary between MRFs depending on the processing options available.
The baled collected material is sent to the Smart Processing Engineered Commodity facility operated by iQ Renew. SPEC is dedicated to sorting and processing 100% post-consumer soft plastics. The facility transforms post -consumer soft plastic into high-grade feedstock tailored to various manufacturer’s needs:
– Our A-grade product is suitable for both chemical and mechanical processors and will enable the growth and development of this market in Australia.
– Our B-grade material is ideal for making recycled pellets for use in manufacturing plastic products. Examples of this include non-food grade films, construction and agricultural products and many other plastic items.
– Our C-grade material is suitable for products made from extrusion moulding such as park benches, bollards, fence posts and many other moulded products.
Are CurbyTags still available for free?
Yes, you can order more CurbyTags via the ‘Shop” on the app at no cost.
What if i recycle more then 1 bag a fortnight, can I order more?
Yes, additional Curby Rewards bags can be purchased via ‘Shop’.
How do i use my CurbyBag to earn rewards?
Follow these steps to use your CurbyBag effectively:
1. Simply fill your CurbyBag with clean, household soft plastics and tie it shut.
2. Scan the QR code to link this bag to your Curby Rewards profile
3. Drop at nearest store drop off location or in your yellow bin if approved by your council
4. Receive Curby Points which will be automatically converted to entries in the Curby Rewards prize draw
Can I put more than one Curby bag in my yellow recycling bin?
Yes you can, as long as:
- They fit in your recycling bin,
- The bin lid is fully closed, and
- There’s a CurbyTag on each bag.
Tech Support – Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my address not “eligible for kerbside” when it has been previously?
We have identified a small issue with some accounts transiting over to the new app. To resolve this, please follow these steps:
1. From the home screen of the app, click the pencil in the top right hand corner
2. scroll down to ‘address’
3. Please re-enter your home address
4. Please press ‘save profile’
These steps should resolve the issue and you should see a green text box saying “Your address is in < Your Council > and is eligible for kerbside pick-up.”
Why isn't the old app working anymore?
We have now progressed to a web based app, the old app will display an error message when you try to log in. As we continue to work to improve the Curby Program, we hope to redevelop the existing app to make it available again.
When will the app be available in the app store again?
We hope to redevelop the existing app to make it available again in the next few months.
How can i save the web app on my home screen?
To save the upgraded version on your home page of your phone follow the steps below.
For android users:
1. Open the app on the web browser
2. Tap the menu icon (3 dots in upper right-hand corner) and tap Add to home screen.
3. Choose a name for the website shortcut, then Chrome will add it to your home screen.
For Apple users:
1. Simply open the app on the web page on Safari.
2. Click the box with an up arrow at the bottom of the page.
3. Scroll to down til you see a box with + in it which says, Add to Home Screen.
It will then be available from your home screen.
Why isn't my camera appearing when i click "scan a QR code"?
If your camera isn’t appearing when you click “scan a QR Code,” it may be because your browser hasn’t been given permission to access the camera. Here’s how to enable it:
For Apple Devices:
Open Settings, scroll down to ‘Apps’, search for your web browser (like Google or Safari), and ensure the ‘Camera’ toggle is switched on.
For Android Devices: Open Chrome, tap More (three dots) next to the address bar, go to Settings, then ‘Site settings’ and ‘Camera’. Make sure the camera access is allowed.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and use the QR code scanning feature smoothly
Where have my CurbyPoints gone?
Since joining the Curby community, you have previously earned Curby Points. These points won’t carry over into the updated Curby platform, but they will give you a great discount when you sign-up. Your points will be automatically converted to discounts when you subscribe to Curby Rewards.
Let’s keep soft plastics out of landfill
