NZ homes dispose of 1.76 billion plastic containers each year, report reveals

Wednesday, 29 January 2020

Only about 60 per cent of recyclable plastics are actually put in recycling bins throughout the country (file photo).

Kiwi households throw out a staggering 1.76 billion plastic containers per year, the most common of which is the single use drink bottle, new research reveals.

The world-first project, conducted by the Waste Management Institute of New Zealand (WasteMINZ), saw researchers sort, count and analyse the contents of the rubbish and recycling bins of 867 New Zealand households.

It identified key points about Kiwis' plastic habits, which could improve how New Zealand fights the war against plastic.

WasteMINZ chairman Parul Sood said the report indicated Kiwis needed to re-consider plastic recycling from all angles – from habits at home to manufacturers' labels.

Yuri Schokking, of Smart Environmental, at the opening of the Alchemy recycling sorting system in Richmond. Video first published in December 2019.

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Soft plastic in a Nelson City Council kerbside recycling bin. These types of plastics shouldn't be placed in recycling bins.

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The deep-dive study found each household disposes of 188 single-use drink bottles every year. An estimated 97 million plastic drink and milk bottles are put in household rubbish bins instead of recycling bins.

That means 39 per cent (by weight) of household plastic bottles and containers that have the potential to be recycled go to landfill.

WasteMINZ chief executive Janine Brinsdon said there were opportunities for consumers to change their habits and for business to redesign their packaging to improve recyclability.

'New Zealand is the first country in the world to have such an in-depth understanding of its kerbside recycling of plastic; together let's make our country one of the first to change those numbers for the better.'

The audit identified five key reasons why only 39 per cent of household plastic containers end up being recycled: Plastic confusion, recyclables put in the wrong bin, different types of plastics, problematic packaging and coloured plastic.

The first-of-its-kind research outlines the plastic habits of Kiwi households and how we can do better in the war against plastic.

PLASTIC CONFUSION

Which plastics are recyclable and which aren't could be resulting in recyclable plastics ending up in landfill, the research suggested.

Some products have a recycling symbol and others a plastic identification code. Meanwhile, more than an estimated 181 million containers have no information at all to indicate whether they are recyclable or not.

DIFFERENT PLASTICS

Three different types of plastic make up around 87 per cent of all household grocery packaging.

While there are viable markets both onshore and overseas for these plastics, the global commodity markets for others are limited.

RECYCLABLES PUT IN THE WRONG BIN

An estimated 97 million bottles that could potentially be recycled everywhere in the country go straight to landfill.

PROBLEMATIC PACKAGING

A rural recycling container at Foxes Island near Rural Recycling Container at Foxes Island near Renwick in Marlborough.

At least 46 million bottles have soft plastic sleeves on the outside.

These shrink-wrapped plastic sleeves effectively disguise two types of recyclable plastics, meaning they are less likely to be recycled or will be recycled in lower-value mixed plastic bales.

Eugenie Sage wants more plastic and paper recycled in New Zealand. (Video first published in May 2019)

While 32 per cent of these shrink-wrapped bottles have instructions to remove the sleeves before putting them in the recycling bin, 25 million are placed in recycling bins every year with sleeves intact.

COLOURED PLASTIC

Clear plastic is more recyclable than coloured plastic because once colour is added it can't be removed.

The grey plastic that is the result of mixing colours in the recycling process has a lower value than clear plastic.

As with shrink-wrapped sleeves, the coloured plastic will either end up in a lower-value mixed plastic bale or be sent to landfill if no market is available.

SOLUTIONS

The report identified several actions for manufacturers, councils and individuals.

As a minimum, manufacturers should include a visible plastic identification code on all plastic packaging, it said.

Manufacturers could also ensure the recyclability of their product by switching to three main types of recyclable plastic.

WasteMINZ has begun a programme of work with recyclers and councils to agree on standardising what recyclable materials are collected nationally from the kerbside.

For individual households there are a number of actions individuals can take:

- Reduce your overall plastic consumption and choose not to buy items packaged in unrecyclable material such as plastics commonly found in biscuit and cracker trays, tomato sauce bottles and soft plastics.

- Take a reusable coffee cup and water bottle when out and about or bring your own container when buying sushi.

- Some stores allow you to bring refillable containers for meat and delicatessen purchases, whilst others allow you to refill shampoo and cleaning products.

- Make sure to recycle single-use plastic drink bottles and milk bottles and always check for recycling information when buying something new.

The report was conducted by the Waste Management Institute of New Zealand (WasteMINZ), supported by funding from the Ministry for the Environment.