Sofia Martinez
New Zealand has a reputation for its clean, green identity, but unfortunately, the country has been shown to have a low environmental ranking in terms of its practical recycling rates. While New Zealand encourages the 'reduce, reuse and recycle' philosophy, it also offloads a lot of its plastic waste overseas, which often ends up being dumped, burned or 'processed' in unregulated ways, causing water, soil and air pollution in under-developed communities. However, there are initiatives in place to improve recycling rates, such as the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme, and the country is also growing its Circular Economy, which speaks to the concept of Kaitiakitanga – conserving the country's land and resources for the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic recycling rate | Low |
| Plastic waste disposal | Only 1% of plastic waste is produced through manufacturing; most plastic waste comes from consumer-based products |
| Plastic waste export | Plastic, paper, and metal are sent overseas for remanufacturing |
| Plastic waste import | No |
| Plastic recycling advocacy | Plastics NZ encourages the "reduce, reuse, and recycle" philosophy |
| Plastic recycling action | Consumers are encouraged to sort, rinse, and remove lids from plastics before recycling; soft plastics are collected at supermarkets and other stores |
| Plastic recycling challenges | Dirty or contaminated items are not recycled and go straight to landfill; only 1% of Polypropylene (PP) plastic is currently being recycled globally |
| Plastic recycling goals | Transition to a circular economy, reduce pollution, and improve environmental sustainability |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic recycling rates in New Zealand
New Zealand has a growing Circular Economy, which supports the concept of Kaitiakitanga, or conserving the country's land and resources for the future. However, the country has been criticised for its low plastic recycling rates and offloading of plastic waste to overseas countries.
In 2022, New Zealand was found to be one of the worst countries for practical recycling rates, with around 57% of packaging not being recycled. This is despite the fact that kiwis consume around 735,000 tonnes of packaging every year. Between January 2018 and March 2021, New Zealand exported over 98,000 tonnes of plastic waste.
The country's recycling efforts have also been impacted by the global plastic waste trade changes in 2018, when China stopped accepting plastic waste from other countries. This led to a spike in illegal and toxic recycling dumpsites in under-developed communities in countries like Malaysia and Thailand. As a result, New Zealand's plastic waste is often dumped, burned, or "processed" in unregulated ways, causing water, soil, and air pollution in these communities.
Despite these challenges, there are efforts to improve plastic recycling rates in New Zealand. The country has collection points for soft plastics in several regions, including Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Wellington, and Christchurch. The Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme, an industry-led initiative, collected 365 tonnes of soft plastics in 2017, and the scheme has since resumed in Auckland as of October 2019. Additionally, companies like The Packing Group and Future Post are working to recycle and repurpose soft plastics into new products.
The country also promotes efficient manufacturing practices to minimise plastic waste and reduce material usage. Consumers are encouraged to follow the "reduce, reuse, and recycle" philosophy and take personal responsibility for the careful disposal of plastic waste.
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How to recycle plastic in New Zealand
New Zealand has a natural environment that its citizens want to keep healthy and safe for future generations. To support this goal, the country is transitioning to a circular economy, which speaks to the concept of Kaitiakitanga – conserving the land and resources for the future.
Plastics NZ advocates for environmentally responsible manufacturing and encourages the 'reduce, reuse and recycle' philosophy for its members, the plastics industry, and individuals in the community. New Zealand plastics companies work hard to follow this philosophy throughout the manufacturing process, resulting in only around 1% of plastic waste produced through manufacturing.
However, the majority of plastics going to landfill are consumer-based products that aren't or cannot be recycled. With the trend of increased consumption of packaging, consumers are encouraged to think about where their plastic waste is going and take personal responsibility for its careful disposal.
To recycle plastic in New Zealand, you can follow these steps:
- Sort and rinse your plastics: Separate your plastics from other recyclables and always rinse your plastic containers. Remove any lids from the containers, as these are made from a different type of plastic.
- Check for the Plastic Identification Code: Look for the Number 5 ♷ PP plastic logo on your container. This type of plastic is highly versatile and used to manufacture a variety of products, including food packaging and household items.
- Wash the containers: Make sure your Number 5 PP plastic containers are clean and free of any residue. Dirty or contaminated items are likely to be discarded and sent to landfills, as everything put out for recycling is hand-sorted.
- Take them to a collection point: Many supermarkets in New Zealand have collection points for Number 5 PP plastics. You can drop off your clean and washed containers before you go shopping.
- They will be processed and recycled: The collected plastics are then shipped to a recycling plant, like the one in Christchurch, where they are ground up, melted, and remanufactured into raw material pellets. These pellets are then sold to manufacturers to create new products, such as building materials, gardening supplies, clothing, or packaging.
Additionally, New Zealand has a Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme that allows citizens to recycle soft plastic bags and wrappers. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is another valuable recyclable resource that can be used to make new insulation products for housing.
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Plastic recycling schemes in New Zealand
New Zealand has a strong focus on conserving its natural environment through the adoption of a circular economy, which aligns with the concept of Kaitiakitanga. This philosophy encourages the responsible manufacturing and disposal of plastics through reduction, reuse and recycling.
Plastics NZ, an organisation advocating for environmentally responsible manufacturing, encourages the adoption of the 'reduce, reuse and recycle' philosophy by individuals and the plastics industry. They promote efficient manufacturing products to minimise production waste and reduce material usage.
One of the key plastic recycling schemes in New Zealand is the "Recycle It!" programme. This initiative focuses on collecting and recycling Number 5 PP plastic containers, which are commonly used for food and household products. The programme encourages individuals to wash and sort their Number 5 PP plastics, which can then be dropped off at designated "Recycle It!" collection points, such as the one located at the New World Centre City in Dunedin. PACKIT, the company behind the scheme, collects the washed plastics from the collection points, sorts them by hand, and ships them to a recycling plant in Christchurch, New Zealand. The recycled plastics are then ground up, melted, and remanufactured into raw material pellets, which are sold to manufacturers to create new products. This process helps reduce the amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills and contributes to the growing Kiwi Circular Economy.
Another recycling scheme in New Zealand is the Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme, which allows New Zealanders to recycle soft plastic bags and wrappers. This initiative ensures that soft plastics are diverted from landfills and given a new lease of life through recycling.
By participating in these plastic recycling schemes, New Zealanders can play a crucial role in conserving the country's natural environment, reducing the consumption of raw materials, and supporting the transition to a circular economy. These initiatives empower individuals to take personal responsibility for their plastic waste and contribute to a sustainable future for their communities.
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Plastic waste disposal in New Zealand
Plastic waste disposal is a significant environmental issue in New Zealand, with a recent assessment revealing that the country has a low environmental protection ranking. While New Zealand promotes a "reduce, reuse and recycle" philosophy, the reality is that a large amount of plastic waste is produced, and much of it ends up in landfills or is exported overseas for recycling or disposal.
The majority of plastic waste in New Zealand comes from consumer-based products, with an increasing trend in the consumption of packaged goods. While some plastics are recycled domestically, others are sent overseas, contributing to environmental and health issues in the receiving countries. New Zealand's plastic recycling and disposal practices have come under scrutiny, with a focus on the country's responsibility to manage its own waste sustainably.
To address this issue, New Zealand is transitioning towards a circular economy, aiming to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics more effectively. This includes encouraging consumers to think about their plastic waste and make conscious choices to reduce their plastic consumption and dispose of plastic waste responsibly. The Plastic Identification Code provides clear labelling to help individuals understand what can be recycled through their local council. Additionally, initiatives like the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme allow consumers to recycle soft plastics by dropping them off at collection points in supermarkets and other stores.
Number 5 PP plastic has been a focus of recycling efforts in New Zealand. It is a versatile material used in various products, from food containers to household items. While it can be recycled, a large amount of Number 5 PP plastic has historically ended up in landfills. To address this, consumers are encouraged to wash and recycle their Number 5 PP plastic containers properly, ensuring they are not contaminated, as these items are often hand-sorted.
Overall, while New Zealand faces challenges in plastic waste disposal, there are efforts to improve recycling rates and promote more sustainable practices. By encouraging individual responsibility and transitioning to a circular economy, New Zealand aims to reduce its environmental impact and conserve its natural resources for future generations.
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Plastic recycling and the environment
New Zealand is famed for its clean, green identity, but unfortunately, the country has been shown to be pretty low on the environmental leaderboard. A recent Consumer NZ-led assessment revealed that around 57% of packaging in the country did not get recycled. Most plastics going to landfill are consumer-based products that aren't or can't be recycled.
To improve recycling rates, New Zealanders are encouraged to adopt a ''reduce, reuse and recycle' philosophy. This involves consumers taking personal responsibility for the careful disposal of plastic waste and thinking globally and acting locally. The Plastic Identification Code provides clear labelling so consumers know what they can and can't recycle with their Local Council.
To recycle plastics, individuals should sort and rinse their plastics and remove any lids. Dirty or contaminated items are likely to be rejected and sent to landfill. Soft plastics, such as plastic bags and plastic wrap, can be recycled at participating stores or drop-off points, but they must be clean, dry, and empty.
Polypropylene ("PP") is a highly recyclable and sought-after material in New Zealand with a strong end market. Recycled PP plastic can be remanufactured into raw material pellets, which are then sold to other manufacturers to create new products, such as building materials, gardening supplies, clothing, and packaging. This process supports the growing Circular Economy in New Zealand, which aims to conserve the country's land and resources for future generations.
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Frequently asked questions
New Zealand does recycle plastic, but it also sends a lot of its plastic waste overseas. In fact, New Zealand has been called out for having a low environmental rating, with around 57% of its packaging not being recycled.
All plastics numbered 1-7 are accepted for recycling, excluding polystyrene and meat trays. However, only plastics 1, 2 and 5 can be put in domestic recycling bins. Number 5 PP plastic is highly sought after and can be recycled at collection points in supermarkets.
To recycle plastic, make sure to sort, clean and remove the lids from your plastics. You can then put plastics 1, 2 and 5 in your domestic recycling bin. For number 5 PP plastic, you can drop off washed containers at collection points in supermarkets.
