Kiwis' Plastic Waste: A Troubling Environmental Concern

New Zealand generates 17.49 million tonnes of waste each year, with an estimated 12.59 million tonnes sent to landfill. Of this waste, plastics account for 308,169 tonnes, with only 45,000 tonnes of plastic collected for recycling. The country also exports up to 18,000 tonnes of plastic waste for reprocessing overseas. With an increasing focus on the circular economy, where waste is minimized, and a push for more recycling, it is important to understand the scale and types of plastic waste produced in New Zealand to inform waste management strategies and product redesign.

Plastic waste in landfills: 308,169 tonnes

New Zealand generates 17.49 million tonnes of waste each year, with an estimated 12.59 million tonnes sent to landfill. Of this waste, 308,169 tonnes are plastic. Only 45,000 tonnes of plastic are collected for recycling, and the rest goes to landfill. This is a significant issue, as plastic waste in landfills can take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose.

The amount of plastic waste in New Zealand's landfills is concerning, especially considering the country's heavy reliance on plastic packaging in its export industry. Products such as dairy, meat, fruit and vegetables, seafood, and honey are all exported from New Zealand and often packaged in plastic. While there is limited data on the exact amount of plastic exported, the fluctuating tonnages captured under the trade code 'Plastics and articles thereof' indicate an overall increase in plastic usage.

To address the issue of plastic waste in landfills, New Zealand is exploring various initiatives and policies. For example, Auckland Council has adopted a zero-waste by 2040 policy, and other councils are following suit with similar initiatives. Additionally, there is a growing focus on recycling and reusing plastic materials. The country imports up to 570,000 tonnes of raw resins and plastic materials annually, including 1,200 tonnes of recycled polypropylene (PP). PP is a valuable material with a wide range of applications, from food packaging to medical-grade uses, and it can be recycled up to four times.

However, the recycling process for plastic is complex and often involves manual sorting and cleaning. To improve the efficiency of recycling, waste management companies are encouraged to adopt digital technologies, such as sensors and artificial intelligence, to better identify and process recyclable materials. Overall, New Zealand is taking steps to reduce plastic waste in landfills through policy changes, recycling initiatives, and the exploration of alternative materials.

Plastic recycling: 45,000 tonnes annually

New Zealand generates 17.49 million tonnes of waste each year, with an estimated 12.59 million tonnes sent to landfill. Of the waste going to landfill, plastics account for 308,169 tonnes. However, only 45,000 tonnes of plastic are collected for recycling annually. This is a very small amount compared to the 570,000 tonnes of raw resins and plastic materials that New Zealand imports each year.

The country's export industry also relies heavily on plastic packaging. Products such as dairy, meat, fruit and vegetables, seafood, and honey are all exported from New Zealand and often use plastic packaging. To manage its own plastic waste onshore, New Zealand needs to understand the amount and types of plastic entering the country. This includes capturing metrics for both raw resin and finished products, as plastic resin is imported and then manufactured into products and packaging in New Zealand.

Plastics manufacturers have detailed data on their use of polymers and products produced and disposed of. This information is collected by Plastics NZ via surveys, with the last survey completed in 2012. Based on the results, it was estimated that over half of the imported resin was made into packaging, with the rest mainly used in construction and agriculture.

To improve recycling rates, New Zealand has a voluntary Product Stewardship Scheme between the industry and central government to minimise packaging waste. There are also initiatives like plastic lumber, where plastic is recycled into planks for park benches, fence palings, and other uses.

Plastic imports: 570,000 tonnes of raw resins

New Zealand generates 17.49 million tonnes of waste each year, with an estimated 12.59 million tonnes sent to landfill. Of this waste, 308,169 tonnes are plastics, with only 45,000 tonnes of plastic collected for recycling. The country also exports up to 18,000 tonnes of plastic annually for reprocessing overseas.

New Zealand's import of 570,000 tonnes of raw resins and plastic materials is a significant contributor to its plastic waste. These raw resins are imported as plastic resin, which is then manufactured into products and packaging, or they are imported as part of a finished product or packaging. The data on the types and amounts of plastic entering the country is limited to the weight of raw resin imports and some plastic products, captured under the Harmonised Trade System's trade commodity 39, 'Plastics and articles thereof'. This system also captures waste plastic exports, but the data on exports is scarce.

The breakdown of raw resin imports by material type is a starting point for understanding the country's plastic waste management. However, this data is limited as it does not account for all plastic imported as finished products or packaging. Additionally, raw resins may be combined with other materials, further limiting end-of-life options for the manufactured products.

To effectively manage plastic waste and redesign products, it is crucial to understand the material type, lifetime use, and sector use of manufactured products. Plastics manufacturers possess detailed data on their polymer usage and the products they produce and dispose of. Surveys conducted by Plastics NZ in 2012 estimated that over half of the imported resin was used for packaging, with the rest primarily utilised in construction and agriculture. Of the packaging material, 60% was used for rigid packaging, and 40% for flexible packaging.

As New Zealand moves towards a circular economy, where waste is minimised, it is essential to invest in the right technology and infrastructure to manage plastic waste onshore. This includes understanding the types and proportions of imported plastics to ensure flexibility in handling changes in plastic volumes and types.

Plastic packaging: 156,345 tonnes in 2010

In 2010, New Zealand produced 156,345 tonnes of plastic packaging. This amounts to an average of about 31kg of plastic packaging used by each New Zealander per year.

The country's export industry heavily relies on plastic packaging. Dairy, meat, fruit and vegetables, seafood, and honey are some examples of exported products packaged in plastic. The weight and value of plastic imports are captured under the Harmonised Trade System's trade commodity 39, 'Plastics and articles thereof'. However, this does not account for all plastic entering the country, as it does not include plastic that is a part of finished products and/or packaging.

New Zealand is making efforts to manage its plastic waste. For instance, the Auckland Council has adopted a zero-waste by 2040 policy, and other councils are following suit with similar policies. Additionally, there is a voluntary Product Stewardship Scheme between the industry and the Central Government to minimise packaging waste.

New Zealand is also making progress in recycling plastic. The country exports up to 18,000 tonnes of collected plastic material annually for reprocessing overseas. Recycled polypropylene (PP), a material used in food packaging, is in high demand. Although only around half of PP is being collected, this is an improvement from previous years.

Plastic waste reduction: A shift to a circular economy

While there is limited data on plastic waste in New Zealand, the country is taking steps to address its plastic waste problem and transition to a circular economy. This involves reducing plastic waste, improving waste management, and promoting recycling and reuse.

New Zealand's export industry relies heavily on plastic packaging, particularly for dairy, meat, fruit and vegetables, seafood, and honey. The country has seen an increase in plastic exports, with an overall increase from roughly 60,000 to 75,000 tonnes between 2009 and 2018, indicating a growing plastic waste problem.

To address this issue, the New Zealand government is developing plans to embrace a circular economy and tackle both climate change and waste crises. However, the planning process has been criticised for its lack of clear direction and collaboration between agencies. The government's focus on end-of-product-life processes, such as waste management, litter, and recycling, is a positive step, but more needs to be done to involve community groups and local enterprises in this transition.

One example of a circular economy initiative is the "plastic lumber" project supported by Plastics NZ. This initiative involves recycling plastic into planks for park benches, fence palings, and other construction materials. Additionally, councils across the country, such as the Auckland Council, have adopted zero-waste policies, encouraging individuals to recycle, reuse, and shop wisely to reduce plastic waste.

To further reduce plastic waste and promote a circular economy, New Zealand can take inspiration from global efforts. For instance, Unilever is working to reduce plastic packaging, develop recyclable and compostable alternatives, and introduce new product formats that require less packaging. They are also investing in waste collection infrastructure in countries like India, Indonesia, and Latin America, to keep plastic out of the oceans and increase the supply of recycled plastic. Collaboration between industries, governments, and innovators is key to achieving a successful circular economy.

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