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Polypropylene Recycling #5

Polypropylene* (“PP”) is a highly recyclable and sought after material in Aotearoa NZ with strong value and a corresponding end market. Many manufacturers are wanting to secure more NZ recycled polypropylene (“rPP”) rather than having to import it. Today, we still have PP being sold offshore in mixed bales as well as PP being sent to landfill.

 

National Kerbside Standardisation as of 1st February 2024 - Consumer waste

RecyclingFrom 1st February 2024, everyone in New Zealand will have to follow identical guidelines for what items can and cannot be placed in their kerbside recycling bins.

Only glass bottles and jars, cans, paper and cardboard (including pizza boxes), and plastics marked #1, #2 & #5 can be put in your recycling bin. Items must be clean. All lids and caps, and items under 50mm are excluded!

The Ministry for the Environment and the Local Councils will be running an education campaign around Kerbside Standardisation for the next 6 weeks. 

New items excluded from 1 February 2024:

  • Items less than 50mm (e.g. caps, small cosmetic and spice containers)
  • Aerosol cans (steel and aluminium)
  • Liquid paperboard (Tetrapak and juice boxes)
  • Plastics 3, 4, 6 and 7
  • Aluminium foil and trays
  • All lids & Caps (separate scheme coming soon for these)
  • Items over 4 litres

While reducing the use of single use items is the best way to reduce waste, the second best is recycling correctly.

For further information vist the Ministry for the Environment's website

https://environment.govt.nz/what-you-can-do/campaigns/recycle/

Got an item to recycle that can't go in your Kerbside collection bin?

 

Check with your local council for what services they offer in your region. Many have resouce recovery centres, e-waste facilites or inorganic collections/drop-off dates for domestic waste.

Do you have post commercial PP?* - Business Waste

Recycled PP* is in high demand and our onshore reprocessors are looking at what additional recycling streams for PP they can take.

* Product type, dimensions and levels of contamination will all determine whether or not the material can be recycled in NZ.
(Currently PP Woven Sacks, Textiles, Corflute, Strapping and Contaminated Medical Items are not able to be recycled onshore)

Get in touch if you have sources of post-commercial PP that you’re interested in diverting from landfill and we will do our best to help put you in touch with the suitable companies

or

Download the FREE Design Guide from www.replastics.nz and refer to Chapter 3 which outlines the current recycling system in NZ and contact details for the recyclers.