Plastics Recycled in New Zealand

The mainstream waste items collected for recycling in New Zealand do not necessarily stay here to be made into new products. New Zealand simply does not have the manufacturing base as our population, and therefore consumption, is much smaller than larger countries that can justify manufacturing plants. Cardboard and glass tends to be converted into new products within NZ, whereas most plastic, paper and metal resources are sent overseas for re-manufacture.

Recycling plastic makes good environmental sense as most plastics originate from oil-based compounds that are not sustainable. It is increasingly important to use resources efficiently. Recovery of waste plastic for reuse into new products conserves non-renewable raw materials, uses less energy than that used to produce virgin plastic and creates employment and businesses opportunities.

The most popular plastics recycled in NZ are:
• PET (clear soft drinks bottles); and
• HDPE (milk bottles)

Not all plastics are recycled. Some types (1 (PET) and 2 (HDPE)) are easier to recycle than others. Some get contaminated with food waste and cost more to be recycled (take-away food and drink containers). Some plastic types (3,4,5,6 and 7) are often not worth recycling. This is because there is low value in the recovered plastics as they are harder to recycle and/or manufacturers struggle to make any profit from them. 

Numerical Code - 1
Plastic Composition - Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) 
Properties - Clear and optically smooth, resists water, oxygen and CO2, resists high impacts, resists most solvents, can be filled with hot liquids. 
Typical Applications - Soft Drinks Bottles, Sports Bottles, Condiment/Food Jars, Food Trays. 
Products Made with Recycled Content - New Containers, Strapping, Carpet Fibres, Cushion/Jacket Filling.

Numerical Code - 2
Plastic Composition - High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) 
Properties - Resists most solvents, high strength characteristics, stiff material. 
Typical Applications - Water Bottles, Milk Bottles, Cleaning Products, Personal Cosmetics. 
Products Made with Recycled Content - New Containers, Piping, Edging, Bins.

Numerical Code - 3
Plastic Composition - Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) 
Properties - High impact and strength, resists grease and chemicals. 
Typical Applications - Packaging/Wraps, Plumbing Pipes, Flexible Packaging/Bags. 
Products Made with Recycled Content - New Piping, Carpet Backing, Packaging, Traffic Cones. 

Numerical Code - 4
Plastic Composition - Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) 
Properties - Resists acids and oils, tough, flexible and transparency is good. 
Typical Applications - Film and Stretch Wrap. 
Products Made with Recycled Content - Rubbish Bin Liners, Floor Tiles, Compost Bins, Outdoor Furniture.

Numerical Code - 5
Plastic Composition - Polypropylene (PP) 
Properties - Great optical clarity, low moisture vapor penetration, inert towards acids, alkalis and most solvents. 
Typical Applications - Hard Containers, Medicine Bottles, Takeaway Containers, Bottle Caps, Refrigerated Food Containers. 
Products Made with Recycled Content - Automotive Products, Household Tools/Utensils, Outdoor Tools, Trays.

Numerical Code - 6 PS
Plastic Composition - Polystyrene (PS) 
Properties - Great short shelf life moisture barrier, high optical clarity, good rigid structure, light yet stiff, low thermal conductivity. 
Typical Applications - Plastic Plates/Cutlery, Food Containers, CD Cases, Small Hard-wearing Bottles, Cable Spools, Toys. 
Products Made with Recycled Content - Light Switches, Plastic Mouldings, Packaging, Desk Trays. 

Numerical Code - 6 EPS
Plastic Composition - Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) 
Properties - Great short shelf life moisture barrier, low thermal conductivity, can absorb knocks. 
Typical Applications - Styrofoam Cups, Food Trays, Protective Foam Packaging. 
Products Made with Recycled Content - Light Switches, Plastic Mouldings, Packaging, Desk Trays. 

Numerical Code - 7 Composite
Plastic Composition - Composite (other) 
Properties - Dependent on resins and combination of resins. 
Typical Applications - Milk/Fruit Juice Cartons, Oven Bags. 
Products Made with Recycled Content - Low Grade Bottles and Outdoor Goods