From now on you’re no longer able to put plastics numbered 3 to 7 in your mixed recycling bin.
The international markets for plastic are changing, and most of the countries that used to take our plastic recycling are not taking it anymore, says David Down, Manager Water & Waste.
“Unfortunately this means that plastics graded 3 to 7 are ending up in landfill.”
“Plastic products should be marked with a number from 1 to 7 – often on the bottom – that shows which grade of plastic they are.
“If they’re anything other than 1 or 2, or if there’s no number, they can’t be recycled – so from 1 February please don’t put these items in your recycling bin.”
Plastics numbered 3 to 7 include:
· Plastics 1 and 2 will be collected, as there’s still a demand for these grades, and much of this type of plastic is recycled in New Zealand.
Plastics numbered 1 and 2 include things like:
· “This is a chance to think about which products we use,” Mr Down says.
“If you use plastics numbered 3 to 7 they will end up in landfill. So you can help keep plastics out of the environment by choosing products that don’t use this type of packaging.
You can still put paper, cardboard and cans in your mixed recycling bin.
It’s also crucial to make sure items are clean and the wrong things aren’t being put in bins. The wrong item in a bin can contaminate the whole load, so please be mindful of what goes in your bins.
You can find more information on recycling here.4 Feb 2020
