recycling book
recycling book

Recycling
Made Easy

Buy Now

Want to know what can and can’t be recycled, understand recycling, reduce waste, and discover how to find recycled products? Recycling for dummies will help you improve your recycling habits and make a positive impact on the planet.

Order your copy here

Order your copy of Recycling for Dummies here ->
recycling plastic bags

Recycling plastic bags and soft plastics

  • July 2, 2025

Share with your friends on:

Since many countries have banned the plastic bag, there have been significant improvements in the availability of recycling for plastic bags. Did you know you can do more than recycle plastic bags at these facilities?

These facilities will take most of your soft plastics too. In addition to plastic bags, the term soft plastics generally refers to the soft plastic wrap or film covering the food items that we buy. Examples include bread bags, cereal box liners, chocolate wrappers, and biscuit packets. Soft plastics also include wrapping from other things such as toilet paper and tissues, bubble wrap, or Ziploc bags.

How do you know if it’s soft plastic? The best way to figure this out is the scrunch test. If you can scrunch the item into a ball, it can be recycled with soft plastics.

Already know what soft plastics are then GOTO Plastic Bag Recycling Near Me to find your nearest location.

Plastic recycling guide
    Built with ConvertKit

    What are Soft Plastics or Plastic Films Made of?

    Soft plastic packaging can be made out of a number of materials. They can be made entirely out of one kind of plastic, or they can be layered with different kinds of plastic and other materials like aluminum or cardboard.

    Soft plastics are commonly made from the following types of plastic:

    1. Reduce how much you rely on plastic bags and soft plastic packaging

    2. Do not put plastic bags and soft plastics in your curbside recycling bin

    3. Do the scrunch test and if it can be scrunched in a ball, it’s a soft plastic

    4. Collect your soft plastics and take them to your local drop off location (see links)

    5. If you’re looking to renovate or need a new fence check out recycled plastic products

    Sources

    One great example of products that can be made from soft plastics is furniture. Learn more about recycled plastic furniture.

    In Summary

    So, no excuses! Start collecting your soft plastics today.

    To wrap up:

    1. Reduce how much you rely on plastic bags and soft plastic packaging

    2. Do not put plastic bags and soft plastics in your curbside recycling bin

    3. Do the scrunch test and if it can be scrunched in a ball, it’s a soft plastic

    4. Collect your soft plastics and take them to your local drop off location (see links)

    5. If you’re looking to renovate or need a new fence check out recycled plastic products

    Sources

    Check these items carefully as rules can vary:

    • Confectionery bags from lollies or chocolates
    • Frozen food bags
    • Crisp or chip packets – for example, these can be included in Australia but not in the US.
    • Food and drink pouches – similarly included in Australia but left out in the US.
    • Cling film – different brands of cling film are made from different plastics, so only certain brands are included.

    This clever tool by Wholly Shrink helps you collect and compress your soft plastics, making storage and recycling easier. Highly recommended!

    • Maximise your storage space with the Shrinker 3.0!
    • This revolutionary device makes it easy to collect, compress and store all types of soft plastics prior to recycling.

    Features

    • Compact your soft plastic by up to 70% before recycling
    • Lockable plunger to keep your material compacted
    • Made from 100% recycled plastic 
    • Instructional videos on assembly and usage are available at Whollyshrink.com 

     

    PLEASE NOTE: the colour of our Shrinkers! will vary depending on the mix of recycled plastic we use. Some of our batches will be lighter grey, some will be darker grey.

    Get the Shrinker!
    Shrinker! soft plastic compactor

    Plastic Bag Recycling Near Me

    Below are some options to check out where you live, but I also recommend you contact your local authority via their website or phone or you can try searching “plastic film recycling near me” or “soft plastic recycling near me” in Google. 

    America – check NexTrex for collections near you, you may have access to Ridwell collection services, or you can try TerraCycle.

    United Kingdom – Recyclenow – what to do with plastic film

    Australia – Solutions are being worked so please check with your local council. You may have access to the RecycleSmart program, they come to your door and collect your soft plastics for recycling. 

    New Zealand – Recycling soft plastics store-locator

    Worldwide – Check TerraCycle in your country for their soft plastics zero waste box.

    If you know of a facility in your country, help us build our list and let us know.

    Here are some of the Zero Waste Boxes available through TerraCycle below.

    Recycling candy wrappers
    Recycling candy wrappers Zero Waste Box
    Recycling coffee bags
    Recycling coffee bags Zero Waste Box
    Recycling packaging
    Recycling Diaper Wipe Packaging Zero Waste Box
    Recycling drink pouches
    Recycling drink pouches Zero Waste Box

    Package Labelling for Soft Plastics

    Many countries have packaging labels explaining how to recycle the different packaging components, including the soft plastic part. This will hopefully make life a little easier for us.

    Here are a couple of examples from the USA and Australia. Note the mention of the store drop-off for the wrapping,

    If you would like to learn more about labeling take a look at our article How to Recycle: Recycling Symbols and Meanings.

    How2Recycle example
    How2Recycle label from the USA and Canada
    Australasian recycling label
    Australasian Recycling Label

    What are Recycled Plastic Bags and Soft Plastics Made Into?

    Plastic film or plastic wrap can be made into many useful products. The most common use is to make composite timber for decks, benches, or fencing.

    Many councils and national parks in Australia are now using these types of products, as they are long-lasting in more extreme conditions. Some companies are listed below. They all have products available for residential and commercial products.

    So, if you are planning a new project at home, building a new fence or retaining wall, or in need of a screen or garden bed edging, then why not check them out. Here are just a few examples of these companies globally:

    One great example of products that can be made from soft plastics is furniture. Learn more about recycled plastic furniture.

    In Summary

    So, no excuses! Start collecting your soft plastics today.

    To wrap up:

    1. Reduce how much you rely on plastic bags and soft plastic packaging

    2. Do not put plastic bags and soft plastics in your curbside recycling bin

    3. Do the scrunch test and if it can be scrunched in a ball, it’s a soft plastic

    4. Collect your soft plastics and take them to your local drop off location (see links)

    5. If you’re looking to renovate or need a new fence check out recycled plastic products

    Sources

    Don’t include:

    • Biodegradable/ compostable bags
    • Rigid plastic includes plastic bottles and containers, biscuit trays, or strawberry punnets.
    • The usual items which go in your curbside bin like glass, tin cans, paper, and cardboard
    • Disposable gloves
    • Blow-up pool toys
    • Balloons
    • Medicine or tablet packaging

    Check these items carefully as rules can vary:

    • Confectionery bags from lollies or chocolates
    • Frozen food bags
    • Crisp or chip packets – for example, these can be included in Australia but not in the US.
    • Food and drink pouches – similarly included in Australia but left out in the US.
    • Cling film – different brands of cling film are made from different plastics, so only certain brands are included.

    This clever tool by Wholly Shrink helps you collect and compress your soft plastics, making storage and recycling easier. Highly recommended!

    • Maximise your storage space with the Shrinker 3.0!
    • This revolutionary device makes it easy to collect, compress and store all types of soft plastics prior to recycling.

    Features

    • Compact your soft plastic by up to 70% before recycling
    • Lockable plunger to keep your material compacted
    • Made from 100% recycled plastic 
    • Instructional videos on assembly and usage are available at Whollyshrink.com 

     

    PLEASE NOTE: the colour of our Shrinkers! will vary depending on the mix of recycled plastic we use. Some of our batches will be lighter grey, some will be darker grey.

    Get the Shrinker!
    Shrinker! soft plastic compactor

    Plastic Bag Recycling Near Me

    Below are some options to check out where you live, but I also recommend you contact your local authority via their website or phone or you can try searching “plastic film recycling near me” or “soft plastic recycling near me” in Google. 

    America – check NexTrex for collections near you, you may have access to Ridwell collection services, or you can try TerraCycle.

    United Kingdom – Recyclenow – what to do with plastic film

    Australia – Solutions are being worked so please check with your local council. You may have access to the RecycleSmart program, they come to your door and collect your soft plastics for recycling. 

    New Zealand – Recycling soft plastics store-locator

    Worldwide – Check TerraCycle in your country for their soft plastics zero waste box.

    If you know of a facility in your country, help us build our list and let us know.

    Here are some of the Zero Waste Boxes available through TerraCycle below.

    Recycling candy wrappers
    Recycling candy wrappers Zero Waste Box
    Recycling coffee bags
    Recycling coffee bags Zero Waste Box
    Recycling packaging
    Recycling Diaper Wipe Packaging Zero Waste Box
    Recycling drink pouches
    Recycling drink pouches Zero Waste Box

    Package Labelling for Soft Plastics

    Many countries have packaging labels explaining how to recycle the different packaging components, including the soft plastic part. This will hopefully make life a little easier for us.

    Here are a couple of examples from the USA and Australia. Note the mention of the store drop-off for the wrapping,

    If you would like to learn more about labeling take a look at our article How to Recycle: Recycling Symbols and Meanings.

    How2Recycle example
    How2Recycle label from the USA and Canada
    Australasian recycling label
    Australasian Recycling Label

    What are Recycled Plastic Bags and Soft Plastics Made Into?

    Plastic film or plastic wrap can be made into many useful products. The most common use is to make composite timber for decks, benches, or fencing.

    Many councils and national parks in Australia are now using these types of products, as they are long-lasting in more extreme conditions. Some companies are listed below. They all have products available for residential and commercial products.

    So, if you are planning a new project at home, building a new fence or retaining wall, or in need of a screen or garden bed edging, then why not check them out. Here are just a few examples of these companies globally:

    One great example of products that can be made from soft plastics is furniture. Learn more about recycled plastic furniture.

    In Summary

    So, no excuses! Start collecting your soft plastics today.

    To wrap up:

    1. Reduce how much you rely on plastic bags and soft plastic packaging

    2. Do not put plastic bags and soft plastics in your curbside recycling bin

    3. Do the scrunch test and if it can be scrunched in a ball, it’s a soft plastic

    4. Collect your soft plastics and take them to your local drop off location (see links)

    5. If you’re looking to renovate or need a new fence check out recycled plastic products

    Sources

    Reusable bags save on soft plastics

    How to Recycle Plastic Bags and Soft Plastics

    Curbside Recycling or Specialist Recycling?

    Currently, soft plastic recycling is considered specialist recycling in most countries. It is primarily available through supermarkets or other facilities. This makes it relatively convenient. But hopefully, it might have wider availability in the near future – e.g., it can be picked up directly from our homes.

    One of the most important things to learn for recycling soft plastics or plastic film is you SHOULD NEVER place these items in your curbside recycling.

    They’re one of the worst contaminants which find their way into recycling facilities. These soft wrappers and films can easily get caught in the mechanical equipment at recycling plants. This can lead to costly plant shutdowns and create safety risks for workers who have to remove them.

    Check out this excellent video, which helps explain the issue.

    So, you’re probably wondering: why not just throw them out in the general waste?

    There are several problems with sending plastic bags and soft plastics to landfill.

    1. It’s a waste of a resource that can be recycled. We should only send things to landfills that cannot be reused or recycled.
    2. The environmental impact can be significant. Soft plastics are lightweight and can easily blow around and out of landfills, sometimes traveling long distances. This results in a great deal of pollution in the environment.
    3. Although plastics take a long time to break down completely, they break up into smaller and smaller pieces over time. These small pieces can get into our water systems and oceans, and we’ve seen the stories about animal ingestion. So, what can we do?

    It's Simple. There Are Only a Few Steps!

      1. First check if you have access to a specialist recycling service, see plastic bag recycling near me below for help.
      2. Collect your plastic bags and soft plastics.

      1. Scrunch them up and place them in a bag. It’s a good idea to collect soft plastics in a plastic bag, so you can place the whole thing into the soft plastics bin.

      1. Make sure that all food scraps are removed, and the plastic is dry.

      1. Remove any receipts or other items.

      1. Take the soft plastics to your local drop off-center, check Plastic Bag Recycling Near Me

    It can be hard to remember to bring it with you when you go to the store. Our tip: place it near the front door when it is full or put it directly into your car.

    What You Can and Can't Put In?

    It’s important to note not all soft plastic recycling facilities are the same. Some items may not be accepted at your local drop-off point, depending on where you live. Be sure to check the website of your local recycler for their dos and don’ts. Go to plastic bag recycling near me.

    Here are some tips to get you started.

    Do include:

    Don’t include:

    • Biodegradable/ compostable bags
    • Rigid plastic includes plastic bottles and containers, biscuit trays, or strawberry punnets.
    • The usual items which go in your curbside bin like glass, tin cans, paper, and cardboard
    • Disposable gloves
    • Blow-up pool toys
    • Balloons
    • Medicine or tablet packaging

    Check these items carefully as rules can vary:

    • Confectionery bags from lollies or chocolates
    • Frozen food bags
    • Crisp or chip packets – for example, these can be included in Australia but not in the US.
    • Food and drink pouches – similarly included in Australia but left out in the US.
    • Cling film – different brands of cling film are made from different plastics, so only certain brands are included.

    This clever tool by Wholly Shrink helps you collect and compress your soft plastics, making storage and recycling easier. Highly recommended!

    • Maximise your storage space with the Shrinker 3.0!
    • This revolutionary device makes it easy to collect, compress and store all types of soft plastics prior to recycling.

    Features

    • Compact your soft plastic by up to 70% before recycling
    • Lockable plunger to keep your material compacted
    • Made from 100% recycled plastic 
    • Instructional videos on assembly and usage are available at Whollyshrink.com 

     

    PLEASE NOTE: the colour of our Shrinkers! will vary depending on the mix of recycled plastic we use. Some of our batches will be lighter grey, some will be darker grey.

    Get the Shrinker!
    Shrinker! soft plastic compactor

    Plastic Bag Recycling Near Me

    Below are some options to check out where you live, but I also recommend you contact your local authority via their website or phone or you can try searching “plastic film recycling near me” or “soft plastic recycling near me” in Google. 

    America – check NexTrex for collections near you, you may have access to Ridwell collection services, or you can try TerraCycle.

    United Kingdom – Recyclenow – what to do with plastic film

    Australia – Solutions are being worked so please check with your local council. You may have access to the RecycleSmart program, they come to your door and collect your soft plastics for recycling. 

    New Zealand – Recycling soft plastics store-locator

    Worldwide – Check TerraCycle in your country for their soft plastics zero waste box.

    If you know of a facility in your country, help us build our list and let us know.

    Here are some of the Zero Waste Boxes available through TerraCycle below.

    Recycling candy wrappers
    Recycling candy wrappers Zero Waste Box
    Recycling coffee bags
    Recycling coffee bags Zero Waste Box
    Recycling packaging
    Recycling Diaper Wipe Packaging Zero Waste Box
    Recycling drink pouches
    Recycling drink pouches Zero Waste Box

    Package Labelling for Soft Plastics

    Many countries have packaging labels explaining how to recycle the different packaging components, including the soft plastic part. This will hopefully make life a little easier for us.

    Here are a couple of examples from the USA and Australia. Note the mention of the store drop-off for the wrapping,

    If you would like to learn more about labeling take a look at our article How to Recycle: Recycling Symbols and Meanings.

    How2Recycle example
    How2Recycle label from the USA and Canada
    Australasian recycling label
    Australasian Recycling Label

    What are Recycled Plastic Bags and Soft Plastics Made Into?

    Plastic film or plastic wrap can be made into many useful products. The most common use is to make composite timber for decks, benches, or fencing.

    Many councils and national parks in Australia are now using these types of products, as they are long-lasting in more extreme conditions. Some companies are listed below. They all have products available for residential and commercial products.

    So, if you are planning a new project at home, building a new fence or retaining wall, or in need of a screen or garden bed edging, then why not check them out. Here are just a few examples of these companies globally:

    One great example of products that can be made from soft plastics is furniture. Learn more about recycled plastic furniture.

    In Summary

    So, no excuses! Start collecting your soft plastics today.

    To wrap up:

    1. Reduce how much you rely on plastic bags and soft plastic packaging

    2. Do not put plastic bags and soft plastics in your curbside recycling bin

    3. Do the scrunch test and if it can be scrunched in a ball, it’s a soft plastic

    4. Collect your soft plastics and take them to your local drop off location (see links)

    5. If you’re looking to renovate or need a new fence check out recycled plastic products

    Sources

    Zip lock bags area type of soft plastic
    Zip lock bags area type of soft plastic
    plastic bags
    Supermarket plastic bags are all classifed as soft plastics.
    Bread and bakery bags are soft plastics
    Bread and bakery bags are soft plastics
    Bubble wrap is a type of soft plastic
    Bubble wrap is a type of soft plastic

    They may also be made from other plastics, including: 

    If you want to read more, why not visit what is plastic? A simple explanation.

    As we mentioned above, plastics can also be combined with other materials to create complex, layered materials. An example is when plastic is layered with aluminum foil, like in blister packs for medication.

    These layered materials can have excellent properties for preserving food or protecting the contents of packaging from light or moisture but are difficult to recycle. Another good example of these complex materials would be pringle tubes. The tubes are made of cardboard and foil instead of plastic, however, they are just as difficult to recycle.

    Tips for reducing and re-using soft plastics

    There are many ways to reduce your use of soft plastics, including:

    • Remember your reusable bags. Leave some in the car or near the front door, and keep a reusable bag in your handbag.
    • Choose unwrapped produce if available.
    • Use your own produce bags instead of the plastic ones provided by supermarkets.
    • If you need to resort to using plastic produce bags, they can be rinsed and reused for lunches or other food.
    • Do more baking. Cooking biscuits and snacks at home is a much healthier option and reduce soft plastics.
    • Cut down on chips and chocolate. This one can be tough, but it’s good for the hips and the world.
    • Buy from bulk food stores when you can.
    • Use reusable wax wraps or silicone covers to protect food instead of cling wrap.
    Reusable bags save on soft plastics

    How to Recycle Plastic Bags and Soft Plastics

    Curbside Recycling or Specialist Recycling?

    Currently, soft plastic recycling is considered specialist recycling in most countries. It is primarily available through supermarkets or other facilities. This makes it relatively convenient. But hopefully, it might have wider availability in the near future – e.g., it can be picked up directly from our homes.

    One of the most important things to learn for recycling soft plastics or plastic film is you SHOULD NEVER place these items in your curbside recycling.

    They’re one of the worst contaminants which find their way into recycling facilities. These soft wrappers and films can easily get caught in the mechanical equipment at recycling plants. This can lead to costly plant shutdowns and create safety risks for workers who have to remove them.

    Check out this excellent video, which helps explain the issue.

    So, you’re probably wondering: why not just throw them out in the general waste?

    There are several problems with sending plastic bags and soft plastics to landfill.

    1. It’s a waste of a resource that can be recycled. We should only send things to landfills that cannot be reused or recycled.
    2. The environmental impact can be significant. Soft plastics are lightweight and can easily blow around and out of landfills, sometimes traveling long distances. This results in a great deal of pollution in the environment.
    3. Although plastics take a long time to break down completely, they break up into smaller and smaller pieces over time. These small pieces can get into our water systems and oceans, and we’ve seen the stories about animal ingestion. So, what can we do?

    It's Simple. There Are Only a Few Steps!

      1. First check if you have access to a specialist recycling service, see plastic bag recycling near me below for help.
      2. Collect your plastic bags and soft plastics.

      1. Scrunch them up and place them in a bag. It’s a good idea to collect soft plastics in a plastic bag, so you can place the whole thing into the soft plastics bin.

      1. Make sure that all food scraps are removed, and the plastic is dry.

      1. Remove any receipts or other items.

      1. Take the soft plastics to your local drop off-center, check Plastic Bag Recycling Near Me

    It can be hard to remember to bring it with you when you go to the store. Our tip: place it near the front door when it is full or put it directly into your car.

    What You Can and Can't Put In?

    It’s important to note not all soft plastic recycling facilities are the same. Some items may not be accepted at your local drop-off point, depending on where you live. Be sure to check the website of your local recycler for their dos and don’ts. Go to plastic bag recycling near me.

    Here are some tips to get you started.

    Do include:

    Don’t include:

    • Biodegradable/ compostable bags
    • Rigid plastic includes plastic bottles and containers, biscuit trays, or strawberry punnets.
    • The usual items which go in your curbside bin like glass, tin cans, paper, and cardboard
    • Disposable gloves
    • Blow-up pool toys
    • Balloons
    • Medicine or tablet packaging

    Check these items carefully as rules can vary:

    • Confectionery bags from lollies or chocolates
    • Frozen food bags
    • Crisp or chip packets – for example, these can be included in Australia but not in the US.
    • Food and drink pouches – similarly included in Australia but left out in the US.
    • Cling film – different brands of cling film are made from different plastics, so only certain brands are included.

    This clever tool by Wholly Shrink helps you collect and compress your soft plastics, making storage and recycling easier. Highly recommended!

    • Maximise your storage space with the Shrinker 3.0!
    • This revolutionary device makes it easy to collect, compress and store all types of soft plastics prior to recycling.

    Features

    • Compact your soft plastic by up to 70% before recycling
    • Lockable plunger to keep your material compacted
    • Made from 100% recycled plastic 
    • Instructional videos on assembly and usage are available at Whollyshrink.com 

     

    PLEASE NOTE: the colour of our Shrinkers! will vary depending on the mix of recycled plastic we use. Some of our batches will be lighter grey, some will be darker grey.

    Get the Shrinker!
    Shrinker! soft plastic compactor

    Plastic Bag Recycling Near Me

    Below are some options to check out where you live, but I also recommend you contact your local authority via their website or phone or you can try searching “plastic film recycling near me” or “soft plastic recycling near me” in Google. 

    America – check NexTrex for collections near you, you may have access to Ridwell collection services, or you can try TerraCycle.

    United Kingdom – Recyclenow – what to do with plastic film

    Australia – Solutions are being worked so please check with your local council. You may have access to the RecycleSmart program, they come to your door and collect your soft plastics for recycling. 

    New Zealand – Recycling soft plastics store-locator

    Worldwide – Check TerraCycle in your country for their soft plastics zero waste box.

    If you know of a facility in your country, help us build our list and let us know.

    Here are some of the Zero Waste Boxes available through TerraCycle below.

    Recycling candy wrappers
    Recycling candy wrappers Zero Waste Box
    Recycling coffee bags
    Recycling coffee bags Zero Waste Box
    Recycling packaging
    Recycling Diaper Wipe Packaging Zero Waste Box
    Recycling drink pouches
    Recycling drink pouches Zero Waste Box

    Package Labelling for Soft Plastics

    Many countries have packaging labels explaining how to recycle the different packaging components, including the soft plastic part. This will hopefully make life a little easier for us.

    Here are a couple of examples from the USA and Australia. Note the mention of the store drop-off for the wrapping,

    If you would like to learn more about labeling take a look at our article How to Recycle: Recycling Symbols and Meanings.

    How2Recycle example
    How2Recycle label from the USA and Canada
    Australasian recycling label
    Australasian Recycling Label

    What are Recycled Plastic Bags and Soft Plastics Made Into?

    Plastic film or plastic wrap can be made into many useful products. The most common use is to make composite timber for decks, benches, or fencing.

    Many councils and national parks in Australia are now using these types of products, as they are long-lasting in more extreme conditions. Some companies are listed below. They all have products available for residential and commercial products.

    So, if you are planning a new project at home, building a new fence or retaining wall, or in need of a screen or garden bed edging, then why not check them out. Here are just a few examples of these companies globally:

    One great example of products that can be made from soft plastics is furniture. Learn more about recycled plastic furniture.

    In Summary

    So, no excuses! Start collecting your soft plastics today.

    To wrap up:

    1. Reduce how much you rely on plastic bags and soft plastic packaging

    2. Do not put plastic bags and soft plastics in your curbside recycling bin

    3. Do the scrunch test and if it can be scrunched in a ball, it’s a soft plastic

    4. Collect your soft plastics and take them to your local drop off location (see links)

    5. If you’re looking to renovate or need a new fence check out recycled plastic products

    Sources

    DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you decide to make a purchase after clicking on the links, we may get a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps to fund our website, read our disclosure for more info. 

    Share with your friends on:

    Welcome to Everyday Recycler

    Together let’s fix the recycling problem. Let’s create a world where there is no waste and everything is made into something else.

    Get regular tips and ideas on how to become a better recycler by subscribing to our newsletter.

    thousand fell
    pela phone case
    ZeroWasteStore
    Shop Deux Mains
    arvin goods
    planet friendly outerwear

    Most Popular

    Plastic Numbers Guide
      Built with ConvertKit
      Plastic Numbers Guide
        Built with ConvertKit
        On Key

        Related Posts

        plastic number picture 3 blue

        subscribe and get your free plastic recycling guide

        We’ll send you useful recycling tips and highlight great brands using trash to make new products. 

        Plastic Recycling

        SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND GET YOUR FREE PLASTIC RECYCLING GUIDE

        We’ll send you useful recycling tips and share great brands using trash to make new products.