Soft plastic recycling scheme rejected by 'handful' of Kiwi supermarkets

Saturday, 8 December 2018

Supermarkets are beginning to pull the plug on their soft plastic recycling schemes after it was revealed much of what is being collected in New Zealand sits stockpiled in depots.

One of those opting out is Pak 'n Save Silverdale in Auckland. The supermarket informed its customers via an in-store sign that was spotted by shopper Hayley Crawford.

'I thought, actually, it's a good thing that people stop seeing this as a solution as we should be stopping the use of single-use plastic completely,' she said.

But Foodstuffs – the parent company of Pak 'n Save, New World and Four Square – was adamant that, from a company perspective, the scheme was still operational.

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'The SPR scheme is still operational and we're working with them on extending recycling capacity with companies like Future Posts and Second Life Plastics,' spokeswoman Sue Hamilton said.

'There are opportunities to use plastic in roading, [convert] waste to energy and in the production of plastic products.'

Hamilton said the scheme had already seen about 400 tonnes of soft plastics converted into products including benches, bollards, decking, plastic posts and ducting for electric cables.

'Prior to offering this service this material would have gone to landfill.'

The soft plastics recycling programme was launched in 2015 to much fanfare with then-environment minister Nick Smith announcing more than $1.2m of Government funding for the fledgling scheme.

Earlier this month Stuff reported that about 400 tonnes of plastic – stored across the country – had been growing since an Australian manufacturer stopped accepting soft plastics collected in our supermarkets this year. 

​Packaging Forum spokeswoman Lyn Mayes said she was aware of other supermarkets besides Silverdale that had opted out. However, she was not sure of the exact number.

'There are a handful of owner-operator supermarkets that have withdrawn from the scheme. Every store pays a contribution so it's their choice,' she said.

'It would be less than ten around the country … there will be another store nearby providing the service.'

That has been the case in Silverdale where Crawford found her local Countdown was still accepting soft plastics for recycling.

'I saw they were absolutely overflowing, though, with their neighbouring supermarket no longer taking them. There were bags and bags stacked against the walls.'

The current situation came as no surprise to her, she said.

'Years ago … I was told that the scheme was only working because not many people used it and that it would become overwhelmed if everyone did.'

A Countdown spokesperson said the company was concerned about the future of the scheme but was 'determined to do whatever [they] practically can do help the scheme survive.'   

'One of the issues for the soft plastics scheme is that it costs money to run it.  Pulling out of the scheme, even if only one or two stores, does not help the overall situation.'

SOFT PLASTICS RECYCLING TIMELINE

2015 - Soft plastics recycling introduced to some New Zealand cities.

2018 - Melbourne-based soft plastic recycling manufacturer Replas becomes inundated and stops accepting New Zealand's soft plastic recycling

January 2018 - China stops accepting general recycling from New Zealand and other countries

September 2018 - Govt announces single-use plastic bag phase-out consultation

November 2018 - New manufacturer Future Post announces it can take some soft plastic recycling

November 2018 - Govt announces single-use plastic bags will be banned within six months, including thicker bags