Omar Khalid
In New Zealand, there are standardised recycling rules for plastics, with an emphasis on recycling types 1, 2, and 5. These include PET, HDPE, and PP plastics, which are widely used in packaging, bottles, and other products. However, not all plastics can be recycled in New Zealand. For example, PVC is not recyclable and should not be reused for food-related items or children's products. Polystyrene (PS) is also not accepted by recycling services due to its weak and ultra-light nature, and number 7 recyclable products, which include BPA, Polycarbonate, and LEXAN, typically fall outside the standard 1-6 recycling standards and may not be effectively recycled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastics that cannot be recycled | PS (Polystyrene) used for disposable cups, take-out containers, picnic cutlery, and packing peanuts |
| Plastics that can be recycled | PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) used for water and drink bottles, and some packaging |
| Plastics that can be recycled | HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) used for milk, detergent, and oil bottles, toys, and some plastic bags |
| Plastics that cannot be recycled | PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) used for clear food wrapping, cooking oil bottles, teething rings, toys, and blister packaging |
| Plastics that cannot be recycled | LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) used for shrink wraps, dry cleaner bags, squeezable bottles, bread packaging, and most plastic grocery bags |
| Plastics that can be recycled | PP (Polypropylene) used for packaging, bottles, pottles, pails, trays, tubs, and lids for food and medicine packaging |
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What You'll Learn
- Polystyrene (PS) plastics, often used for disposable cups and takeout containers, are not accepted by recycling services
- PVC plastics, used for window frames and garden hoses, are not recyclable and should not be reused for food items
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) products are reusable but not always recyclable
- Dirty or contaminated plastics are unlikely to be recycled and will be sent straight to landfill
- Number 7 plastics, including BPA and Polycarbonate, are uncategorised and cannot be recycled effectively
Polystyrene (PS) plastics, often used for disposable cups and takeout containers, are not accepted by recycling services
Polystyrene (PS) plastics are not accepted by recycling services in New Zealand. This is despite the fact that PS plastics are commonly used for disposable cups, takeout containers, picnic cutlery, and packing peanuts. PS is a cheap and lightweight plastic, but its ultra-light nature means it is not suitable for recycling. In addition, PS may leach styrene, a possible carcinogen, into food, especially when heated. This has been linked to health issues.
PS products cannot be picked up at the kerbside for recycling. This is in line with New Zealand's standardised recycling rules, which aim to make waste management easier, better, and more sustainable. By focusing on easier-to-recycle plastics (types 1, 2, and 5), New Zealand hopes to create more markets for recycled materials and reduce the amount of contaminated recycling, which currently makes 16% of recycling bins unusable.
The new recycling rules also encourage reducing the use of single-use plastics, promoting better recycling habits, and supporting environmental care across the country. This helps to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, lowering pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling also conserves natural resources by reusing materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metals.
While PS plastics cannot be recycled, other types of plastics can be recycled and reused to make new products. For example, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is a widely used plastic found in most water and drink bottles, as well as some packaging. It can be recycled and used to make new PET bottles or spun into polyester fibre for textiles.
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PVC plastics, used for window frames and garden hoses, are not recyclable and should not be reused for food items
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a synthetic resin made from the polymerization of vinyl chloride. It is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer. Due to its durability, PVC is commonly used in construction for window frames, pipes, and doors. It is also used for plumbing, electrical cable insulation, flooring, signage, phonograph records, inflatable products, and garden hoses.
While PVC is a versatile material, it has come under scrutiny from environmentalists and health advocates due to its potential health and environmental hazards. Notably, there is a known link between vinyl chloride monomer, which is released from PVC, and cancer. As a result, there are concerns about the potential ill effects of exposure to this substance, as well as others like hydrogen chloride, organometallic stabilizers, and phthalate plasticizers.
Despite these concerns, the PVC industry maintains that these substances are carefully controlled and released only in trace amounts that have not been proven harmful. However, one of the key issues with PVC is its recyclability. While some PVC products, such as bottles and containers, can be recycled into new items like drainage pipes and traffic cones, many other PVC items cannot be easily recycled.
PVC window frames, for example, are not frequently recycled due to the presence of additives and the challenge of separating the PVC from other materials. This means that while PVC window frames may be durable, they can contribute to waste accumulation if not properly disposed of or recycled. Similarly, PVC garden hoses, which are often softened with plasticizers, may not be recyclable in your area.
It is important to note that even if PVC products cannot be recycled, they should not be reused for food items. PVC can contain harmful chemicals, such as phthalates, which can leach out and contaminate food. Therefore, it is crucial to dispose of PVC products properly and not use them for food-related purposes.
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LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) products are reusable but not always recyclable
LDPE, or Low-Density Polyethylene, is a highly versatile and flexible thermoplastic polymer that is used in a wide range of applications. It is known for its durability, toughness, and resistance to moisture. While LDPE is technically recyclable, it is not always recycled due to various factors.
LDPE is commonly used in the production of plastic bags, food wrappings, containers, and packaging materials. It is also used in coatings on paper and cardboard products, as well as in medical and healthcare applications such as medical bags, tubing, and containers. Despite its widespread use, LDPE is not widely recycled. In 2015, only 6.2% of LDPE generated that year was recycled, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency.
One of the main challenges with recycling LDPE is that it tends to tangle in recycling machinery, causing disruptions and damage to equipment. This makes the recycling process time-consuming and financially unviable. As a result, many municipalities and recycling programs do not accept LDPE in their curbside recycling bins.
However, when LDPE is recycled, it can be transformed into new products such as bin liners, packaging films, plastic lumber, compost bins, and drainage pipes. Recycling LDPE has several benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources, and decreasing waste in landfills. Additionally, recycled LDPE is typically less expensive than virgin LDPE, making it an attractive option for manufacturers.
To increase the recycling rate of LDPE, consumers can play a crucial role by properly disposing of their LDPE waste and supporting products made from recycled LDPE. Some products made with LDPE can also be reused, such as using grocery bags as trash-can liners, extending their usefulness before disposal.
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Dirty or contaminated plastics are unlikely to be recycled and will be sent straight to landfill
New Zealand has standardised recycling rules, which include clear instructions for disposing of plastics. This has been done to reduce the amount of contaminated recycling, which currently makes 16% of recycling bins unusable.
Polystyrene (PS), for example, is not accepted by recycling services because it is weak and ultra-light. It is often used for disposable cups, takeaway containers, picnic cutlery, and packing peanuts. Similarly, PVC is not recyclable and should not be used for food-related items or children's products. It is a soft, flexible plastic used for clear food wrapping, cooking oil bottles, teething rings, toys, and blister packaging.
To ensure your plastics are recycled, check your local council's website for the specific plastics they accept. Then, ensure your plastic containers are empty, washed, and free of any contamination before placing them in your recycling bin.
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Number 7 plastics, including BPA and Polycarbonate, are uncategorised and cannot be recycled effectively
Plastic recycling is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. Plastic can take up to 1000 years to biodegrade, meaning it takes up landfill space and pollutes the environment for longer. Recycling plastic can conserve limited natural resources and energy. However, not all plastic is widely recyclable.
The issue with Number 7 plastics is the presence of Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used to make polycarbonate. BPA is a hormone disruptor, and there are concerns about its impact on human health. However, the jury is still out on whether BPA leaches from polycarbonate products and if it is harmful to humans. Many manufacturers have transitioned to BPA-free plastics, but certain substitutes might also disrupt endocrine function.
Despite the concerns around BPA, not all Number 7 plastics contain it, and many are BPA-free. These include Tritan, acrylic, melamine, PLA compostables, and plastic blends. Number 7 plastic wastage is generally recycled at an industrial level into new durable plastic goods.
While recycling is important, it is also crucial to reduce plastic consumption and dispose of plastic waste properly. Incinerating plastic waste is not an eco-friendly solution, as burning plastics releases harmful gases.
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Frequently asked questions
The focus is on easier-to-recycle plastics: types 1, 2, and 5. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) are two examples of type 1 plastics that can be recycled. LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) is another type of plastic that is reusable but not always recyclable. Number 5 plastics, such as pasta sauce tubs, medicine bottles, and ice-cream tubs, can be recycled if they are washed and not contaminated.
The process varies depending on the type of plastic. For example, PET bottles are crushed and shredded into small flakes, which are then reprocessed to make new bottles or spun into polyester fiber for textiles. LDPE products, on the other hand, can be recycled into plastic lumber, landscaping boards, bin liners, and floor tiles.
PS (Polystyrene), often used for disposable cups and takeout containers, is not accepted by recycling services due to its weak and ultra-light nature. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), used in clear food wrapping and cooking oil bottles, is also not recyclable and should not be reused for food-related items or children's products. Number 7 plastics, which include products like BPA and Polycarbonate, also cannot be effectively recycled and are not typically picked up in kerbside collections.
Properly recycling plastics helps to reduce the amount of contaminated recycling, which can render a significant portion of recycling bins unusable. It also promotes better environmental care, reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves natural resources by reducing the need for new raw materials.
