Sofia Martinez
Plastic recycling numbers indicate the type of plastic an item is made from and whether it can be recycled. In New Zealand, there are seven plastic recycling codes, with codes 1, 2, and 5 accepted by recycling plants and codes 3, 4, 6, and 7 sent to landfill. Number 5 PP plastic, made from polypropylene, is highly versatile and used to manufacture many products, including food containers and household items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of plastic recycling codes in New Zealand | 7 |
| Recyclable codes | 1, 2, 5 |
| Non-recyclable codes | 3, 4, 6, 7 |
| Plastic name for code 5 | Polypropylene (PP) |
| Example products for code 5 | Pasta sauce tubs, Oyster tubs, Medicine bottles, Ice-cream tubs, Yoghurt tubs, Lunchboxes |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling codes 1, 2 and 5 are recyclable in NZ
In New Zealand, there are seven plastic recycling codes that refer to the different types of plastic used in manufacturing. Out of all the recycling codes, only codes 1, 2, and 5 can be recycled.
Code 1 plastic, or PET, is a common thermoplastic polymer resin often used in clothing, food containers, and manufacturing. It is recycled by breaking down the chains of PET molecules so that they can be used to make new PET products. In New Zealand, PET is collected in household yellow bins.
Code 2 plastic is High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is often used in milk and juice bottles, laundry detergent and shampoo bottles, and grocery bags. HDPE is a versatile plastic that is both durable and flexible, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Code 5 plastic, or PP, is polypropylene, a thermoplastic polymer. It is highly versatile and used to manufacture a wide range of products and packaging. Many of the foods and household products that we buy are packaged in Number 5 PP plastic. Examples include pasta sauce tubs, oyster tubs, medicine bottles, ice cream or yoghurt tubs, and lunchboxes. Number 5 plastic can be recycled at collection points, such as at supermarkets, and is then sent to a recycling plant to be processed into raw material pellets. These pellets can then be sold to manufacturers to create new products, contributing to a circular economy.
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Codes 3, 4 and 6 are sent to landfill
In New Zealand, there are seven plastic recycling codes, each referring to a different type of plastic used in manufacturing. While Codes 1, 2, and 5 can be recycled, Codes 3, 4, and 6 are sent to landfill. This is because PVC (code 3) and polystyrene (code 6) cannot be recycled in New Zealand, and products with these codes should be placed in household rubbish bags instead. LDPE, or Low-Density Polyethylene, is another flexible thermoplastic polymer that is often used for plastic wrap and is also non-recyclable in New Zealand; products with code 4 should be treated the same way as codes 3 and 6.
It is important to understand the different recycling symbols and codes to ensure that items are placed in the proper bins and actually recycled. Placing non-recyclable items in recycling bins can result in the entire bin being discarded, damaging recycling equipment, contaminating correctly recyclable materials, and negatively affecting the recycling process.
To reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, it is advisable to avoid plastic containers marked with codes 3, 6, or 7, especially when microwaving food or beverages. While some substitutes for BPA (such as BPS and BPF) in BPA-free plastics may be safer, they might still disrupt endocrine function.
It is worth noting that the recycling code itself does not guarantee recyclability. Other factors, such as size, contamination, or specific types (e.g., black plastic), might affect whether even accepted codes can be recycled. Checking your municipality's recycling guidelines and, when in doubt, throwing items away rather than attempting to recycle them, can help ensure that non-recyclable items do not end up in the recycling stream, costing processors time and money.
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Number 5 plastics are recycled via supermarkets
Number 5 plastics are highly versatile and are used to manufacture a wide range of products. Many foods and other household products are packaged in Number 5 PP plastic. Examples include pasta sauce tubs, oyster tubs, medicine bottles, ice cream or yoghurt tubs, and children's lunchboxes.
Once these products are finished, the Number 5 plastic containers can be recycled via supermarkets. To recycle them, first empty and wash out your containers. Any dirty or contaminated items are unlikely to be recycled and will probably go straight to landfill. Next, take your washed Number 5 plastic containers with you when you go to the supermarket. Drop them into the Recycle It collection point before you enter the supermarket. PACKIT collects used and washed Number 5 plastics from the collection point.
The plastic is then checked and sorted by hand, and shipped to a partner recycling plant in Christchurch, New Zealand. At the recycling plant, the Number 5 plastics are ground up, melted, and remanufactured into raw material pellets. These raw material pellets are then sold to other plastic manufacturers to create new products. The recycled material can be processed into items such as building materials, gardening supplies, clothing, and packaging.
Demand for recycled material from New Zealand manufacturers is currently outstripping supply. When demand cannot be met, recycled material is imported from overseas. There is a goal to increase the amount of Number 5 plastics that are recycled and remanufactured onshore in New Zealand.
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HDPE (code 2) is recycled via yellow bins
HDPE, or High-Density Polyethylene, is a strong, heavy, and hard-wearing plastic with high tensile strength. It is resistant to tearing, bursting, and impact and can face exposure to temperatures of up to 120°C. Its chemical resistance, strength, and durability make it useful for a wide range of applications, including milk and shampoo bottles, pipes, and wheelie bins. HDPE is also commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms, and children's playrooms.
HDPE is easy to recycle and can be made into many different products. It carries a low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into many types of goods. Recycling HDPE not only keeps it out of landfills but also helps save energy and reduce the need for extracting virgin materials. The EPA reports that recycling ten plastic bottles can save enough energy to power a laptop for 24 hours.
HDPE has the plastic code number 2 and is accepted in most domestic recycling bins. However, it is important to check with your local authority, as some municipalities may have specific preferences or requirements for recycling HDPE. In New Zealand, HDPE can be recycled via yellow bins. Curbside recycling programs will generally accept HDPE, but it is important to separate rigid and flexible types of HDPE. While rigid HDPE, such as bottles and containers, can be placed in your curbside recycling bin, soft HDPE plastics, such as plastic bags, should be kept separate and taken to a local drop-off center.
To recycle HDPE, ensure that any food residue is removed and that the plastic is clean and dry before placing it in your recycling bin. It is also important to check if your local authority prefers containers to be recycled with or without lids. By properly recycling HDPE, you can help reduce plastic waste and promote the use of recycled materials, contributing to a more positive environmental impact.
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PVC (code 3) and LDPE (code 4) can't be recycled
Although LDPE can technically be recycled, it is not widely accepted by recyclers. LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a common plastic used in the creation of many products, including plastic shopping bags, bread bags, food wrappings, plastic container tops, and garbage bags. However, the majority of LDPE products end up in landfills, with only 6.2% of LDPE generated in 2015 being recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
There are several reasons why LDPE is not widely recycled. One issue is that LDPE products, such as plastic bags, can tangle in recycling machinery, requiring frequent stops and manual removal, which is time-consuming and can cause equipment damage. Additionally, LDPE recycling may not be financially worthwhile for businesses due to the extra time and resources required.
Another reason for the low recycling rate of LDPE is the challenge of separating it from other materials. LDPE is often used in combination with other materials, such as paper or aluminium, which can make it difficult to separate and process for recycling.
Furthermore, there is a lack of infrastructure and systems in place to collect and recycle LDPE effectively. Many municipal recycling programs do not accept LDPE, leaving businesses and consumers with limited options for responsible disposal.
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is another plastic that is not commonly recycled. PVC is used in a wide range of applications, including pipes, wire insulation, and flooring. One of the main challenges with recycling PVC is the difficulty in separating the plastic from the additives and fillers that are often combined with it during manufacturing. These additives can change the physical and chemical properties of the PVC, making it challenging to process for recycling. Additionally, PVC can be difficult to sort from other plastics during the recycling process, further complicating its recycling stream.
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