How much recycling actually gets recycled in NZ?
About one-third of what Kiwis put in their recycling bins actually gets recycled or composted. The rest goes to landfill, mostly due to contamination and tricky packaging. Knowing this helps you see why recycling right still matters.
New Zealand’s Not-So-Great Recycling Track Record
New Zealand likes to think of itself as green, but a Consumer NZ-led assessment in 2021 showed we’re near the bottom for recycling. Out of nine countries checked, we were the second worst for recyclable packaging.
About 57% of our packaging can’t be recycled, and with 735,000 tonnes used each year, that’s a big problem.
The main issues? Limited infrastructure and confusion about what’s actually recyclable.
The Problems With Recycling in NZ
A big challenge for NZ is the packaging itself. Many common materials are difficult to recycle, especially mixed-material packaging. For example, plastic bottles with shrink-wrapped sleeves or multi-layered products usually end up in landfills because our facilities can’t process them.
A Fair Go investigation last year revealed that the vast majority of public recycling bins, such as those in parks and on streets, are often just symbolic. Many councils admitted that up to 100% of the contents from these public bins go straight to landfill.
But it’s not just a public issue. In our own homes, we’re not much better. Research shows that the average Kiwi household uses around 941 plastic containers per year, and while 41% of these could be recycled, they often end up in landfills instead.
A lot of confusion comes from the plastic code system. Many plastics have a three-arrow symbol, but not all are actually recyclable. It’s no wonder Kiwis get it wrong; these confusing code systems are tricky to understand.
Not All Plastics Are Created Equal
Plastic packaging comes in different forms, some of which are more recyclable than others. Plastics 1 and 2, which make up most plastic bottles, are widely accepted for recycling across the country; however, these plastics can only be recycled a handful of times before they lose quality and end up as waste anyway. Shrink-wrapped sleeves, coloured bottles, and bottle lids all contribute to making an already challenging situation worse.
Take the amber L&P bottle. Because of its colour, it’s much less recyclable than clear bottles. Coloured plastic turns grey when recycled and is only used for low-value products.
Bottle lids are a problem. If left on, they lower recycling quality because they’re often a different plastic. Loose lids are so small that they usually end up in the landfill.
What’s Being Done to Fix It?
There’s some good news. Councils are working to improve recycling and are rolling out new education and initiatives to tackle the big issues.
The Ministry for the Environment is upgrading recycling infrastructure and expanding what plastics can be processed. Councils are also phasing out public bins that don’t work and focusing on what can actually be recycled.
We all have a part to play. Choosing better products and sorting our waste correctly can make a real difference to NZ’s recycling success.
How You Can Help Improve Recycling at Home
Want to help? Here are some simple steps to do your bit:
Avoid Products With Mixed Material Packaging
Whenever possible, steer clear of packaging that uses multiple materials (e.g., plastic with a paper label or foil-backed plastic). These are much harder to recycle and are more likely to end up in a landfill. Choose simple, single-material packaging instead.
Choose Clear, Sleeveless Packaging
Clear plastic packaging (especially plastic 1 and 2) is easier to recycle and holds more value. Avoid products with shrink-wrapped sleeves or coloured bottles.
Vote With Your Wallet
Want to make a difference? Support brands using recyclable materials and let others know you care about greener practices.
Check Local Council Recycling Rules
Every council has different recycling rules. Always check what your local council accepts before placing items in your recycling bin.
Make Sure Lids Are Off
One common recycling mistake is leaving lids on bottles. Unless your council specifies otherwise, remove plastic lids from bottles before recycling. It’s a small change that can make a huge difference.
How Pink Bins help more of your waste get recycled
While the national picture can feel a bit grim, it’s not all out of your hands. At Pink Bins, we do things differently. We run our own recycling plant in Manukau as part of our Think Pink initiative, which means we can make sure as much of your rubbish as possible gets a second life.
When you hire a skip bin from us, we don’t just send it to the tip. Most of your rubbish is brought back to our plant and tipped on the floor. Our team then sorts through it by hand, pulling out all the recyclables like timber, gib, scrap metal, and green waste. We then send these materials to dedicated recycling centres to be properly processed. It’s an extra step, but it means less of your waste ends up in Auckland’s landfills.
The Road Ahead for Recycling in NZ
As consumers and businesses become more aware of the challenges of recycling, there’s hope that things will improve. However, it will require a collective effort and smarter choices from everyone regarding waste management.
So, next time you’re staring at a confusing bit of plastic packaging, remember: it’s up to all of us to boost how much recycling actually gets recycled in NZ and ensure that the waste we create is part of a more sustainable future.
Frequently asked questions about recycling in NZ
How much of my kerbside recycling actually gets recycled in NZ?
It varies by council, but on average, only about a third of what goes into kerbside bins is successfully recycled or composted. Contamination and confusing packaging are the main reasons why so much ends up in landfill.
Is it still worth recycling if so much goes to landfill in NZ?
Yes. While the system isn’t perfect, recycling correctly remains a crucial action for reducing the amount of waste sent to our landfills.
Which plastics are most likely to be recycled in NZ?
Plastics 1 (soft drink bottles) and 2 (milk bottles) are the most likely to be recycled. Always check your local council rules for others, especially Plastic 5.
How does NZ’s recycling rate compare to countries like Sweden?
We’ve got a long way to go, as countries like Sweden recycle over 99% of their household waste. They use advanced sorting, waste-to-energy plants, and strong public education.
What happens to my waste and recycling when I book a Pink Bin?
When you book a Pink Bin, your waste comes to our Manukau recycling plant, where we sort it by hand. This ensures more of your rubbish gets recycled, and less goes to landfill.