Maya Ellison
Plastic is a significant environmental concern in New Zealand, with the country being one of the most wasteful in the developed world. The average New Zealand household uses nearly 1000 plastic containers and bottles annually, and the country exported over 300 million kg of plastic waste since 2014, mostly to developing nations. However, New Zealand has taken steps to reduce plastic waste and improve recycling systems, such as implementing the National Plastic Plan legislation, which addresses hard-to-recycle food and drink packaging and single-use plastic items. The country has also banned lightweight plastic shopping bags and prohibited the provision, sale, or manufacture of specific single-use plastic products from October 1, 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic waste | 300 million kg of plastic waste exported since 2014 |
| Plastic recycling | 39,100 tonnes of plastic recycled in 2005 |
| Plastic bags | At least 80% of all shopping bags are reused at least once |
| Plastic waste exports | 49,000 tonnes of plastic waste exported in 2016 |
| Plastic waste reduction | National Plastic Plan legislation addresses hard-to-recycle food and drink packaging, and problematic single-use plastic items |
| Plastic phase-out | The New Zealand Government is phasing out hard-to-recycle and single-use plastic items |
| Plastic ban | Banned lightweight plastic shopping bags with handles, less than 70 microns in thickness, since 1 July 2019 |
| Plastic products | Plastic items include wheelie bins, outdoor furniture, rubbish bags, plastic lumber planking, buckets, pipes, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste exports to developing countries
New Zealand has taken several steps to reduce plastic waste, including banning single-use plastic items and implementing the National Plastic Plan legislation, which addresses hard-to-recycle food and drink packaging. The country has also phased out certain plastic products through its Waste Minimisation Regulations, which came into effect on October 1, 2022. These measures aim to reduce plastic waste, improve recycling systems, and protect New Zealand's environment.
While New Zealand and other developed countries are making efforts to reduce plastic waste domestically, the issue of plastic waste exports to developing countries persists. The Basel Convention, which includes 188 countries, was established to prevent the transfer of hazardous waste from developed to developing nations. However, the convention does not differentiate between recyclable and contaminated mixed plastic waste, creating a loophole for the export of all types of plastic waste. As a result, some developed countries continue to export their plastic waste to developing nations, taking advantage of cheaper recycling and disposal options. This practice has severe environmental and health impacts on the importing countries, as rogue firms in the developing world often incinerate or landfill plastic waste, releasing toxins into the air and water.
The dynamics of the global waste trade are influenced by economic development and industrialization. Countries in the Global North, which are more economically advanced and urbanized, produce larger amounts of solid waste compared to those in the Global South. This waste is then exported to developing countries for treatment, disposal, or recycling. However, the negative consequences of this trade have led to a growing movement of developing countries rejecting plastic waste exports. For instance, China's ban on importing plastic waste in 2018 redirected waste containers to Southeast Asian nations, prompting these countries to push back against the demands of wealthy nations.
To address the issue of plastic waste exports, a comprehensive approach is necessary. Implementing extended producer responsibility for plastics can be a useful step, requiring manufacturers to take back their products at the end of their life and dispose of them appropriately. Additionally, wealthier nations need to focus on reducing plastic production and use, as well as developing domestic recycling solutions. As developing countries continue to refuse waste imports, it is evident that a global effort is required to effectively tackle the challenge of plastic pollution.
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Plastic recycling
New Zealand is taking active measures to reduce plastic waste through various means, including banning single-use plastic items and implementing recycling schemes. The country's National Plastic Plan legislation addresses hard-to-recycle food and drink packaging and problematic single-use plastic items. This legislation is part of a broader Waste Minimisation (Plastic and Related Products) Regulations 2022, which came into effect on October 1, 2022, and will be rolled out in three tranches. The plan prohibits the provision, sale, or manufacture of specific single-use plastic products, such as lightweight plastic shopping bags, which have been banned since July 1, 2019.
To further reduce plastic waste, New Zealand encourages the "reduce, reuse, and recycle" philosophy among individuals and the plastics industry. Plastics NZ, an organization in the country, promotes efficient manufacturing practices to minimize production waste and reduce material usage. They also provide clear labelling with the Plastic Identification Code, enabling people to identify which plastic items can be recycled through their Local Council. Additionally, the Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme allows New Zealanders to recycle soft plastic bags and wrappers by dropping them off at designated bins in supermarkets and other stores. It is important to note that these bins are only for clean, dry, and empty soft plastic materials, as food scraps and liquids can contaminate other bags in the bin.
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is another valuable resource that can be recycled in New Zealand. EPS is used to create new insulation products for housing, contributing to improved health and living standards. Polypropylene ("PP") is also highly recyclable in the country due to its strong value and corresponding end market. By promoting environmentally responsible manufacturing and encouraging the reduction, reuse, and recycling of plastics, New Zealand aims to minimize the environmental impact of plastic waste and protect its natural surroundings.
The phase-out of hard-to-recycle and single-use plastic items in New Zealand applies to various sectors, including retail, hospitality, and supply chains. This shift away from single-use plastics will help improve recycling systems, protect the environment, and reduce the number of plastic items sent to landfills each year. Overall, New Zealand is committed to tackling the issue of plastic waste through a combination of legislative measures, recycling initiatives, and encouragement of environmentally conscious practices in the plastics industry.
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Plastic shopping bags
New Zealand has been taking steps to reduce plastic waste and improve its recycling systems. The country has implemented a range of measures to address the environmental and ecological problems caused by single-use plastics.
In 2019, New Zealand banned stores from providing lightweight plastic shopping bags with handles, less than 70 microns in thickness. This ban was extended in 2022 to include all single-use plastic shopping bags, and it is now illegal to provide, sell or manufacture these items in the country. The ban applies to all businesses and organisations, including retail and hospitality businesses, suppliers, and community groups.
In 2023, New Zealand became the first country in the world to ban plastic produce bags at supermarkets. This ban includes recyclable, biodegradable, and plant-based plastic bags, which are often used for fruits and vegetables. Customers are now expected to bring their own reusable bags for shopping, including for produce.
The New Zealand government's National Plastic Plan legislation addresses hard-to-recycle food and drink packaging and problematic single-use plastic items. The plan includes a phase-out of all other food and beverage packaging made from PVC and rigid polystyrene by July 2025. These measures are expected to significantly reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
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Plastic packaging
The country has implemented the National Plastic Plan legislation, which targets hard-to-recycle food and drink packaging and problematic single-use plastic items. This plan includes a ban on providing, selling, or manufacturing specific single-use plastic products, which took effect on October 1, 2022. The ban applies to all businesses and organisations, including retail, hospitality, and supply chain sectors.
The Waste Minimisation (Plastic and Related Products) Regulations 2022 are being phased in across three tranches, with the first taking effect on the same date as the National Plastic Plan. This legislation aims to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste, which often ends up harming wildlife and contaminating food and water sources.
New Zealand has also been working on alternatives to plastic packaging. One such example is Better Packaging's POLLAST!C, an award-winning packaging made from rescued Ocean Bound Plastic pollution. This innovative packaging is not only durable and lightweight but also helps reduce shipping costs and carbon emissions. It offers a practical and eco-friendly solution for businesses and consumers alike.
The country's efforts to minimise plastic packaging waste demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability and the protection of New Zealand's unique natural environment. These steps are crucial in reducing the use of single-use plastics and encouraging the adoption of more sustainable alternatives.
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Plastic bans
New Zealand has implemented several measures to address plastic waste and reduce its environmental impact. The country has introduced plastic bans and regulations to phase out single-use plastics and hard-to-recycle plastic items.
The Waste Minimisation (Plastic and Related Products) Regulations 2022 were passed, with bans on single-use plastics taking effect from 1 October 2022. This legislation prohibits the provision, sale, or manufacture of certain single-use plastic products, including lightweight plastic shopping bags with handles, less than 70 microns in thickness, which were banned in New Zealand from 1 July 2019. The ban applies to all businesses and organisations across various sectors, including retail, hospitality, and supply chains.
New Zealand's National Plastic Plan legislation addresses hard-to-recycle food and drink packaging and problematic single-use plastic items. The plan extends to all types of plastic, including compostable and bio-based plastics. The government aims to reduce the hundreds of millions of single-use plastic items sent to landfills each year and improve recycling systems.
The country's first National Plastics Action Plan, introduced in 2021, targeted millions of single-use plastics and hard-to-recycle items. Additionally, New Zealand is working on overhauling its kerbside recycling system to provide uniform recycling services to every household in the country.
While there is no specific legislation controlling plastic waste in New Zealand, there is a voluntary Product Stewardship Scheme between the industry and the Central Government to minimise packaging waste. The country has also faced criticism for exporting significant amounts of plastic waste to developing nations, with calls for a full ban on such exports to prevent "waste colonialism." New Zealand exported 49,000 tonnes of plastic waste in 2016, which decreased to 15,000 tonnes in 2021, but exports appear to be increasing again post-pandemic.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 1 October 2022, single-use plastic items and hard-to-recycle food and drink packaging are banned in New Zealand. This includes lightweight plastic shopping bags with handles, less than 70 microns in thickness.
Banning single-use plastics will help reduce plastic waste, improve recycling systems, and protect the environment. With this change, New Zealand will avoid sending hundreds of millions of single-use plastic items to landfills each year.
In New Zealand, plastic items such as shopping bags, bottles, and containers are recycled. The recycled plastic is in demand and used to create new products.
There is no specific legislation controlling plastic in New Zealand. However, there is a voluntary Product Stewardship Scheme between the industry and the Central Government to minimize packaging waste. Additionally, New Zealand implemented the National Plastics Action Plan in 2021 to address single-use plastics and improve recycling systems.
