Where willI take my full Gardenwise recycling bags?

Householder:  Return your full bag to the garden centre that issued it to you.

Commercial:  Call 0508 374 768 to let us know you have a bag available for collection.

How do I prepare plastic to go into the Gardenwise recycling bags?

The Gardenwise Recycling bag has the preparation instruction printed on the front.  It is important for the success of the programme and for the recycling process downstream that these instructions are followed to the best of your ability:

 Hard Plastic:  Knock, Rinse & Stack
 Knock the plastic to free up any organic matter.
 Remove all plastic tags.
 Rinse it to remove as much organic matter as possible.
 Stack the plastic into the Gardenwise recycling bag.
 Tie off the full bag and store in a clean, dry place

Plastic Bags / Films:  Shake, Roll & Stuff
 Shake free any organic matter from the plastic film or bags.
 Roll it up tightly.
 Stuff the plastic into the Gardenwise recycling bag.
 Tie off the full bag and store in a clean, dry place
 

How do I tie off my Gardenwise recycling bag?

The Gardenwise recycling bags have a tear off strip attached to the bag.  When the bag is full, tear off this strip and use it to tie off the bag – be careful not to overfull the bag as this can result in the bag splitting.  Do not use string, twine or wire to tie off the bag as this could contaminate the plastic for recycling.

Should I remove the tag from the plastic pot?

Yes, the tags (describing the plant type) are made of a different plastic that can contaminate the plastic for recycling.

I purchased some plants from the garden centre and want to recycle the pots - what type of hard plastic can I recycle?

Gardenwise will take back garden and nursery industry hard plastic pots, trays, punnets that are plastic provided they have been knocked clean and rinsed to free up any organic matter. 

I purchased some bagged bark from the garden centre and want to recycle the plastic bags -  what type of plastic can I recycle?

Gardenwise will take back garden and nursery industry plastic bags and film that are plastic provided they have been shaken well to free up any loose organic matter.  Most soil improvers, seed raising mixes, compost and bark products come in this type of plastic.  If you are unsure what type of plastic you have phone 0508 374 768.   Plastic bags must be placed in the Gardenwise Plastic Bag recycling bag only – do not put in any other household plastic bags.

 
I am a commercial grower, what type of plastic film will be accepted by Gardenwise?

Gardenwise will take back commercial grower plastic film that is LDPE plastic (Resin code 4) provided it has been shaken well to free up any loose organic matter.  If you are unsure what grade plastic the film is, make contact with the manufacturer or distributor of the product before recycling it in the Gardenwise Plastic Film recycling bags.  If you are unsure phone us on 0508 374 768.

What happens to the plastic collected by Gardenwise?

It is to be processed right here in New Zealand.  The hard plastic will be shredded into small pieces and then cleaned and reprocessed. The processed plastic will then be made into a range of end use products.  At the moment recycling of contaminated plastic bags and films within New Zealand is difficult to do sustainably and in a fully compliant manner and we are working with a recycling company to develop this solution.

What happens when I take my full bag to a garden centre?

You should approach the sales counter, and the attendant will either take the bag from you or will direct you to a collection bin into which you can place the full bag. Gardenwise will have arrangements in place with the garden centre to clear the contents of the bins on a regular basis.

Can my full bags be rejected?

Yes. It is important that we maintain some quality control and ask for your help with this. If you have not prepared the plastic in line with the instructions on the bag then you will be asked to take the bag away and prepare the plastic accordingly.

Where can I purchase additional Gardenwise recycling bags from?

Householders:  Bags will be available from your local participating garden centre or retailer, or directly from the Gardenwise website.

Commercial suppliers:  Bags and bins are available directly from Gardenwise

Who can use Gardenwise?

Anyone who purchases or supplies garden products!