Sofia Martinez
New Zealand has a reputation for its clean, green identity, but a recent Consumer NZ-led assessment revealed that the country has a low practical recycling rate. Brazil and New Zealand were the worst countries for recycling rates in the study, with around 57% of packaging in New Zealand not being recycled. So, where does New Zealand's plastic recycling go? The country recyles some plastic domestically, but also sends plastic waste overseas to countries like Malaysia and China. The domestic recycling process involves taking clean, empty, and dry plastic containers with the Number 5 PP plastic logo to supermarket collection points. These are then recycled and remanufactured onshore. However, it's important to note that not all plastic can be recycled, and some may end up in landfills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Recycling Rate | Brazil and New Zealand proved to be the worst countries for practical recycling rates; around 57% of packaging was not recycled |
| Plastic Numbers Accepted for Recycling | 1, 2, 5 |
| Plastic Numbers Accepted for Domestic Recycling Bins | 1, 2, 5 |
| Plastic Numbers Not Accepted for Recycling | Polystyrene, meat trays, compostable plastic bags, plant-based plastics |
| Plastic Numbers That Can Be Recycled into New Products | 5 PP plastic |
| Plastic Numbers That Often Go to Landfill | 5 PP plastic |
| Plastic Types Accepted for Recycling | Polypropylene, Expanded Polystyrene |
| Where Plastic Recycling is Done | New Zealand, Asia, Australia, China, Malaysia |
| Organisations Involved in Plastic Recycling | The Packaging Forum, Future Post, Second Life Plastics, The Warehouse, TechCollect NZ, The Circular Economy, Plastics NZ, Recycle It, Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste processors in NZ
Future Post blends soft plastics with other materials to manufacture plastic fence posts, buckets, and parking bumpers. Second Life Plastics, a smaller Levin-based company, manufactures ducting and other products from soft plastics. Cargill Enterprises sorts and safely recycles batteries, which can be dangerous if disposed of in general waste.
Reclaim, which operates in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, offers plastic recycling services to reduce landfill waste and enable resource reuse. They collect plastic containers and film and arrange for them to be made into new products. Reclaim can recycle PET (1) drink bottles, HDPE (2) milk bottles, and PP (5) containers as part of their mixed recycling service.
Additionally, some plastic waste in NZ is processed overseas. Between January 2018 and March 2021, New Zealand exported over 98,000 tonnes of plastic waste, primarily to Thailand and Malaysia.
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Plastic recycling in Asia and Australia
In 2023, Southeast Asian countries like Thailand experienced a spike in plastic waste imports after China, a major importer of used plastic, banned all but the cleanest plastic waste imports in 2018. This influx of plastic waste has led to the establishment of new recycling facilities in Thailand, with limited regulation and concerns about environmental and community health impacts.
Australia, a part of the Asia-Pacific region, has also witnessed a rise in plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries. In 2023, Australia's plastic waste exports increased by 13% to 64 million kg. However, it is important to note that New Zealand, which also sends some of its recycling to Asia and Australia, had a low practical recycling rate in an assessment conducted by Consumer NZ.
The recycling process involves sorting plastic waste into different types, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, and polypropylene, and then grinding, washing, and heating it to create fine particles that can be used to make recycled plastic products. While recycling can reduce landfill dependence and protect the environment, it is important to address the challenges of contamination, inconsistent material properties, and limited compatibility with certain applications.
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Plastic types accepted for recycling
Plastic recycling in New Zealand is categorised by number, with all plastics numbered 1-7 accepted for recycling, excluding polystyrene and meat trays. However, only plastics 1, 2 and 5 are recycled domestically.
Plastics are identified by a number at the centre of a triangle at the bottom of the packaging. This number indicates the type of plastic used for the product, and whether it is recyclable or reusable.
Plastic Number 1
Plastic number 1, or PET, is the most common type of plastic in New Zealand's recycling. It is used for soft drink and water bottles, cleaning containers, personal care bottles, some meat trays, punnets for berries and tomatoes, and plastic clam shells for muffins and baked goods. These can be placed in a yellow mixed recycling bin.
Plastic Number 2
Plastic number 2, or HDPE, is the second most common plastic in Aotearoa's recycling. In a household setting, it is used for milk and cream bottles, some ice-cream containers, juice bottles, shampoo, cleaning and detergent bottles. These can also be placed in a yellow recycling bin.
Plastic Number 5
Number 5, or PP, is a highly versatile plastic used for a wide range of food packaging, including margarine containers, some yoghurt containers, takeaway containers, ice cream containers and dips. It is also used for laundry baskets and lunchboxes. PP is safe for reuse and can be recycled.
Other Plastic Types
Polystyrene (PS) is not accepted by most curbside collection services. It is believed to leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food products, especially when heated. Other plastics, such as PVC meat trays, EPS grocery packaging, and oxo-degradable and photo-degradable plastics, are also being phased out under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008.
Soft plastics, such as plastic bags, plastic wrap, grocery bags, and bubble wrap, can be recycled at participating stores or drop-off points, usually identified by a green and white soft plastic recycling bin.
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Plastic recycling at supermarkets
Plastic recycling is a pressing issue in New Zealand, with the country performing poorly in a recent international assessment of recycling practices. While some plastic products are recycled domestically, others are sent overseas.
The Packaging Forum's Love NZ Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme enables New Zealanders to recycle soft plastic wrappers and bags at participating supermarkets and other stores. The scheme is funded by members and supported by major brands like Countdown, The Warehouse, and Huckleberry. Soft plastics are recycled into products like fence posts, buckets, and parking bumpers. However, there are limited processors in the South Island, and long-term environmental testing of these recycled products is lacking.
For those looking to recycle soft plastics, it's important to ensure the bags are clean, empty, and dry before dropping them into the designated bins, usually green and white. Contamination from food scraps or liquids can ruin other bags in the bin, and metal objects can damage the processing plant.
Hard plastics, such as PVC meat trays and polystyrene packaging, are also recyclable, but kerbside collection varies by council. From February 2024, all councils will collect hard plastics numbered 1, 2, and 5 at the kerb.
Other plastic items, like printer and computer plastic, may be sorted and exported to countries like Malaysia or China for recycling. It's worth noting that some plastic products, like oxo-degradable and photo-degradable plastics, cannot be recycled due to their irreversible chemical bonds.
While New Zealand has a long way to go in improving its plastic recycling rates, initiatives like the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme and support from major brands are positive steps towards a more sustainable future.
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Plastic waste reduction
Plastic waste is a pressing issue, with plastic production expected to more than double by 2030 and nearly triple by 2050. If we continue on this path, the amount of plastic in the ocean will surpass that of fish by 2050. This poses a grave threat to marine life, which can ingest plastic or become entangled in it. Moreover, plastic pollution in the oceans is essentially irreversible, taking hundreds of years or longer to degrade, all the while leaching toxic chemicals.
To address this crisis, it is crucial to focus on reducing plastic waste and increasing recycling efforts. In New Zealand, organisations like The Packaging Forum are working to collect and repurpose soft plastic waste. They collaborate with companies like Future Post, which blends soft plastics with other materials to create products like fence posts, buckets, and parking bumpers. However, New Zealand's recycling rates are relatively low, with around 57% of packaging not being recycled.
To reduce plastic waste, individuals can adopt several habits. Firstly, avoid single-use plastics and opt for reusable alternatives, such as cloth napkins, totes, silverware, and travel mugs. When shopping, bring your own bags and try to buy items with minimal packaging. For drinks, carry a reusable bottle and consider using a water filter to refill it instead of buying bottled water. Choose products made from recycled plastic and recycle your own plastic waste whenever possible, checking with your local recycling program to understand what types of plastic they accept.
Additionally, consider buying used plastic items or donating unwanted plastic items that are still in good condition. When packaging baked goods as gifts, use reusable or recyclable containers. Reuse and repurpose items like toys, containers, and water bottles to extend their lifespan and prevent plastic waste. These small actions can collectively have a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and mitigating its harmful effects on the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
New Zealand's plastic recycling goes to various places, both domestically and internationally. Some plastic waste is recycled within the country, such as cardboard and glass, which are typically converted into new products in New Zealand. However, a significant portion of plastic recycling is also sent overseas to countries like Malaysia, China, and Australia.
In New Zealand, the accepted plastics for recycling include Polypropylene (PP) or Number 5 plastic, which is highly sought-after due to its versatility and recyclability. Other accepted plastics are numbered 1, 2, and 5, which can be recycled through kerbside collection. It's important to note that dirty or contaminated plastics may not be recycled and could end up in landfills.
To properly recycle your plastic waste in New Zealand, make sure your plastics are clean, dry, and empty. Check for the Plastic Identification Code or the recycling symbol to identify the type of plastic. You can then separate and sort your plastics before dropping them off at designated recycling bins or collection points, such as those available at supermarkets for soft plastics recycling.
New Zealand has several initiatives and programs in place to promote plastic recycling and reduce plastic waste. One example is the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme, which encourages consumers to recycle soft plastic packaging by providing dedicated recycling bins at supermarkets and stores. Additionally, the Packaging Forum is working to collect and repurpose soft plastic waste, partnering with companies like Future Post to manufacture products like fence posts and buckets from recycled materials.
