If you haven’t heard yet, the powers that be in NZ have been rolling out some fresh new recycling rules as part of a nationwide initiative to standardise recycling services across the country by 2027. Although these rules have been around for a few months now, you might still be asking yourself, what are the new recycling rules? To help you out, let’s dive into what the new recycling rules mean for you, and how you can keep our little corner of the world cleaner and greener.
New Recycling Rules: What’s Changed?
Starting from February 1st, the new recycling rules have come into play, aiming to streamline and simplify recycling processes across all district and city councils to make it easy for us to get our (plastic) sh*t sorted. Here’s a quick rundown of the main changes:
Acceptable Plastics
Under the new rules, only plastics numbered 1, 2, and 5 will be accepted in your kerbside recycling bin. If the recycling symbol on a package doesn’t have one of these numbers, it’s a no-go for your bin.
So, what are these plastics?
Plastic #1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Commonly found in: fruit and vege punnets, soft drink and water bottles, harder plastic containers like those for peanut butter and mayonnaise.
Plastic #2: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Commonly found in: milk bottles, juice bottles, shampoo bottles, cleaning bottles.
Plastic #5: Polypropylene (PP)
Commonly found in: some takeaway containers, plastic cutlery, 2L ice cream containers, large yoghurt containers.
These plastics are more easily recycled into new products compared to other types of plastics, which are lower in quality and harder to recycle.
Glass, Paper, and Metals
Alongside these plastics, you can continue to recycle:
- Glass bottles and jars
- Paper and cardboard
- Aluminium and steel tins and cans
Some councils may provide separate bins specifically for glass, so to make sure you’re ticking the boxes, be sure to check out your local recycling guidelines.
Not Acceptable Anymore
Several items that you might have been tossing in the recycling bin (wish-cycling, anyone?) are no longer accepted:
Aerosol cans
Dispose of these through your local Transfer Station, metal recycler, or council roadside rubbish collection.
Liquid paperboard (e.g., Tetra Pak, milk, and juice cartons)
These should go to your local Community Recycling Centre or Transfer Station, or in your council roadside rubbish collection.
Small items
Anything smaller than 50mm x 50mm (like caps and small cosmetic containers) can’t be recycled because it gets lost in all the bits and pieces.
Lids
Remove all lids and dispose of them through the council roadside rubbish collection.
Other Non-Recyclable Plastics
These types of plastics are no longer accepted in your recycling bin:
Plastic #3: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Examples: clear food trays, large containers with handles, some battery and electronics packaging.
Plastic #4: Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Examples: some meat trays, single-use plastic bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrap.
Plastic #6: Polystyrene (PS/EPS)
Examples: 6-pack yoghurt pottles, some meat trays, foam cups, protective packaging.
Plastic #7: Other (a mix of different plastics)
Examples: baby bottles, CDs, plastic toys, some food and electronics packaging.
These changes mean more items will go into your regular rubbish bin or need special disposal methods through local facilities. Think you might need a bigger general rubbish bin? One of our popular Pink Bins might just come in handy…
What Can’t You Recycle?
Apart from the specific changes mentioned, some items have always been off-limits for kerbside recycling but still manage to sneak in:
- Food waste
- Textiles, carpets, and clothes
- Nappies, medical waste, and garden waste
- Soft plastic and plastic bags
- Bagged recycling and rubbish
- Lithium-ion batteries and appliances
Don’t be that guy (or gal) who puts stuff like this into your recycling. Otherwise, you might need to take a test to refresh your recycling skills!
Introducing Food Scrap Bins
As part of the broader strategy, New Zealand is also introducing food scrap bins. These are aimed at steering food waste away from landfills to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (yay!). If your council is rolling out these bins, be sure to take advantage of them by disposing of food scraps properly. You could even give home composting a go!
Tips to Keep Up with the New Recycling Rules
Check the Numbers
Always look for the number inside the recycling symbol on plastic items. If it’s not 1, 2, or 5, it goes in the usual bin.
Separate Your Waste
Make sure to keep glass, paper, and metals sorted according to your council’s guidelines.
Remove Lids
Always take the lids off bottles and jars before recycling.
Use Food Scrap Bins
If available, use these for your food waste to help reduce landfill and greenhouse gases.
Stay Informed
If some of this has left you scratching your head, don’t worry! Each council may have slightly different processes, so it’s a good idea to stay updated by checking your local council’s website for what’s on offer and what’s not.
Adjusting to the new recycling rules might take a bit of time, but it’s a fantastic step towards a cleaner, greener New Zealand. By following these guidelines, you’re not just sorting your waste correctly; you’re contributing to a nationwide effort to improve our environment and sustainability!
Join the Pink Bins Revolution
When you choose to hire your waste bin from Pink Bins, we make sure that as much of your rubbish as possible is recycled.
We became increasingly concerned about the amount of rubbish that was being sent to landfill locations so, in 2005, we set up a recycling plant in Manukau to become more eco-friendly,
Most of your rubbish is brought back to the plant and tipped on the floor. It’s then sorted through by our full time floor staff and all recyclables are extracted and transported to various recycling centres.
Now that’s Thinking Pink!