As we are in the midst of Plastic Free July, the month where we actively try and reduce our plastic waste and learn about awesome cool alternatives, I thought it would be fun to discuss recycling in New Zealand.

A study carried out earlier this year found that New Zealand households discard 1.7 billion plastic containers in their rubbish and recycling bins each year. The study, which was carried out by Waste Management Institution, further found that 40 percent of plastic bottles and containers could have been recycled but were rather placed in the rubbish bin.

Placing items in the recycling bin is easy - but knowing that it can be recycled is another realm. If the wrong things are placed in the recycling bin, or if they are not in the condition needed (clean etc), then this could potentially cause the entire truck of recycling to be redirected to the rubbish tip. That is a horrifying thought.

So - let’s all get educated on the wonders of recycling.

First off

What is recycling

Recycling is the process of transforming waste into new objects or materials. For example, glass jars becoming new glass jars, or plastic becoming reconverted into new plastic items. In New Zealand, a lot of our recycling is sent overseas as we do not have the centres to carry out such tasks.

What can and can not be recycled

In New Zealand, what can be recycled very much varies according to the city or town you live in. Some centres can handle certain plastics, while others can not - and will be redirected to the landfill if you put them in the recycling bin.

This will be a generalised look at what can and can not be typically recycled - and below I will link to more specific local council regulations.

As you can see from the above, we have some things that are recyclable and some things that should not ever be placed in the recycling bin.

Batteries should not be placed in the recycling bin. This is because they have chemicals in them that are hazardous. However, there are some drop off stations in certain towns and cities that can be a way to safely and responsibly discard of them.

In Auckland, you can drop them off at Ecomatters for a small cost. They ask that you seperate them into Alkaline and Non-alkaline before you drop them off.

Food Waste - If the can of beets you put in the recycling bin is still filled with beets - then the can, the entire bin, and possibly the entire truckload of recycling has the potential to end up at the landfill rather than the recycling plant. Remove the food from the containers and tins before placing them in the bin. If you have a compost bin at home, be sure to add them to that. Or perhaps look for a community composting facility if you do not have your own at home.

Soft Plastic - That packet of chips, the bag that housed your leafy greens, lolly wrappers and cling firm wrap, all can not be recycled. This is because they get caught in the machinery at the recycling centre. So, instead, aim to buy things that are not in plastic. Look out for home compostable chip packets, buy your greens loose, and use alternative wraps rather than cling firm.

Lightbulbs - While these can not be recycled by placing them in the curb side bins, there are more specialized places that you can drop them off at. In Auckland, Ecomatters collects them for Interwaste. The bulbs are pulverized and the components within them recycled in different ways. Ecomatters charge $1 per bulb, $3 per tube.

Toothbrushes and Toothpaste Tubes - These can not be placed in the recycling bin. But, again there are places around New Zealand that collect them for recycling. So, rather than throwing out your old toothbrush or tube, keep it until you can drop it off at one of these places.

Ecomatters in Auckland and Sustainability Trust in Wellington both accept them.

What is the deal with that plastic number?

If you look at the bottom of a plastic bottle or container, you will see a number inside a triangle. There are seven grades or types of plastic that we recycle. Looking at this number is important, as some regions only recycle certain numbers. For example, Nelson only recycles 1 (PET) and 2 (HDPE), while Auckland normally recycles 1 - 7, but at the moment is only recycling 1-2.

Tips for recycling

Check the number - As I have previously mentioned, check the number on your plastic container - to make sure that it can be recycled in your town or city.

Clean the containers - Removing food scraps and giving the container or jar a quick wash is an important step in recycling. Remember also that a human being will be handling your waste once it reaches the centre, so be courteous. Would you like to handle week old pizza or mouldy fruit? Gross.

Furthermore, if you do not clean your recyclables there is a real risk that the entire truckload of recycling will head to the landfill.

Lid off or on? - Some places want you to seperate the lid and the container - with the lid being placed in the bin and the container in the recycling. While other areas want you to place the lid on the container and place the entire thing in the recycling. For example, Auckland the lids stay on, Christchurch they come off.

Learn what can and can not be recycled - All the information can be found on your local council website. Be sure to check it out.

Reduce - The first step when it comes to recycling - is to reduce the amount of things you need to recycle. So, rather than buying vegetables in plastic wrap, buy loose or use your own cotton bag. Or, look for other ways to swap out the plastic in your life.

What happens tor recycling in New Zealand

Many people do not think about the cans and bottles, once they have been dumped in the recycling bin - but it is quite interesting to learn about what happens once they leave your hands.

Glass is recycled in New Zealand and turned into new glass jars and bottles. It can also be recycled into ‘glasscrete’ and ‘glassphalt’, material used in road building.

Paper and cardboard is recycled into other paper and cardboard products such as newspapers, tissue, and egg cartons. This is undertaken in New Zealand as well as overseas.

The majority of our plastic is sent overseas and turned into other plastic products.

Steel is turned into food cans and building materials while aluminium is recycled into drinking cans . This is done both locally and overseas.

Resources

I have included some handy resources on recycling, local council guidelines, and the non-profits out there who are digging in with the recycling movement in New Zealand.