What will be done with the soft plastic collected?

The soft plastic is delivered to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) where it is sorted and then sent for processing. We are working with a number of innovative solutions suitable for soft plastic processing, including a Soft Plastics Engineered Commodity facility (SPEC facility) that segregates the material into various streams so that it is easy to make new plastic items, particularly hard-wearing outdoor uses like decking, bollards, outdoor furniture and signs and also as a resource for advanced recycling. Advanced recycling transforms plastic back into the oil and chemicals it originally came from.

Some soft plastic collected in the Curby trial was tested as a feedstock for Cat-HTR™ process at Licella’s pilot plant on the NSW Central Coast.  To see how this was used in making a Kit Kat - click here 

What soft plastics can I recycle through Curby?

Curby can only accept certain types of soft plastics that are clean and dry. These acceptable soft plastics are placed inside a CurbyBag, with a CurbyTag attached. Common acceptable soft plastics include:

• Clear and coloured plastics
• Wrappers and packets that can easily be scrunched into a ball using your hand
• Packaging with the ‘Return to Store’ or ‘Store Drop Off’ symbol; and
• Other similar soft plastic packaging.

Check out our list of acceptable and unacceptable items here

Can I recycle bottles, cardboard and hard plastics through my CurbyBag?

No. The CurbyBag is only for clean and dry soft plastics. A full list of acceptable and unacceptable items can be found here. Your CurbyBag is recycled separately to your other recyclables and needs to be kept separate inside your yellow lid recycling bin.. Please place your other recycling into your recycling bin as usual.

Why do you need to collect my details to be part of the Curby Program? What data will you be capturing and how will this be used?

To ensure the Curby Program is an effective community recycling program, it is crucial we can measure and identify its success through accurate data. The QR Code – which will be unique to each tag – will help us do this. By monitoring community participation in the Curby program, we hope to better understand areas of improvement as we aim to expand the Curby program.

All communication from the Curby program is distributed on an opt-in basis. For members opting into the program we require the following:

• Name
• Home address
• Email
• Mobile (optional)
• Dwelling type
• Age bracket
• Other information as required to facilitate a successful trial program

For more information on our Data and Privacy Policy, click here.

I have used all my CurbyBags and CurbyTags, can I request more?

Yes, you can request more through the Curby app:

Download for IOS: https://c.curby.cc/ios
Download for Android: https://c.curby.cc/play

Press “Account” and then “Orders” to request more.

Can I put more than one CurbyBag in my yellow recycling bin?

Yes, you can, as long as:

• Each CurbyBag has its own CurbyTag attached
• Each CurbyTag has been scanned in the Curby app,
• The CurbyBag fits inside the bin and the lid is fully closed

What if my recycling bin is full already?

One of the benefits of soft plastic is it’s easy to scrunch and compress, so place your CurbyBags at the bottom of the bin to compress or try compressing your CurbyBag by hand.

If your recycling bin is too full and you can’t fit your CurbyBag in, please wait until it is empty and place your CurbyBags at the bottom so they can be compressed and collected on the next collection day.

CurbyBags placed next to or on-top of your recycling bin will NOT be collected.
CurbyBags in your red bin, will go to landfill.

How are my CurbyBags collected?

As the Curby Program taps into the existing bin collection service offered through Council, all the recycling (including the CurbyBag) is placed inside the yellow bin to be collected on your normal bin collection day. From here, your recycling makes its way to the recycling facility where we recover your CurbyBag!

The only new steps for you are to scan your Curby Bag and pop it in your recycling, we'll do the rest!

If your Curby app reminders need to be adjusted according to the normal bin collection day for your area, please update your Curby app by following these 3 simple steps in the app:

1. Open your Curby App
2. Select "Account" at the bottom right of your screen
3. Scroll down to "Reminders"

Here you can change your reminders to the time and date that best suits you!

I’m not in the Curby Program – how can I recycle my soft plastics?

Soft plastic packaging is also recycled by the REDcycle program – simply take your soft plastics to the in-store bin marked REDcycle at participating Coles and Woolworths stores – click here to find your nearest store

Does the Curby program operate with other recycling programs?

The Curby Program has been initiated by key project sponsors iQ Renew and Nestlé.

The REDcycle program is a product stewardship scheme which collects soft plastic packaging in-store in Coles and Woolworths for recycling. This scheme has grown significantly; however, there is potential for soft plastic recycling rates to be increased.
The Curby Program aims to complement REDcycle by offering another option to households to recycle soft plastics, by testing collection in kerbside recycling bins. We encourage Central Coast residents to continue supporting the REDcycle return to store program.

I don’t have a smartphone, how can I access the program?

The CurbyTags are designed to be scanned by a smartphone so we can better understand the journey of the material in the bag to the recovery facility and measure the success of the program.
As the current phase of the program is an opt-in only program, we suggest that people who don’t have a smartphone register their interest via the website and can be placed on a waitlist.

How can I leave a review of the program?

Here at Curby we're always looking for ways to improve so we can provide communities with recycling programs that are fun and easy.

Your feedback is vital in ensuring we continue to develop the Curby Programs and provide communities with the tools they need to make a difference.

If you could please spare a minute to leave a quick review to share your experience with others, we would truly appreciate it.

Review the Curby app:
For Android or PlayStore

For IOS or App Store

Review the Curby program:
On Google

On Facebook