Plastics recycling update, Back to Industry News
(Written by Frances Palmer, NGIA)

It is disappointing to report that the Plastics Recycling Initiative has hit a brick wall, or more accurately a wall of silence. There has been no further contact with the recycling company we were initially talking with despite repeated calls and e-mails. This does not give us a lot of faith in establishing a viable recycling scheme with this company.

However because of the mandate given by members at the Conference forum, the matter will continue to be pursued. Following advice from Graham Norton of 3R Group Ltd who presented the paper ‘Cradle to Cradle - It's time to "Rock a Bye Baby", at Conference in Napier, we hope to look at a more environmentally sound project that will carry the industry into the future. To do this will require funding which may be obtainable from the Sustainable Farming Fund [also at Conference with Diana Mathers presenting].

Graeme Norton points out that the recyclability of pots is in significant measure (at retail) compromised by the polymer type that the pots are made from. Most pots are made from PP [polypropylene, grade 5] which renders the pots non-recyclable in most kerbside programmes. If they were made from HDPE [high density polyethylene, grade 2] - same as a milk bottle, they could be rinsed by the householder and put out in the recycling. So a change of polymer type could be the most cost effective response.

If our purpose is to re-use pots or to bring customers back to store (drop and shop) then a cost effective takeback strategy is required.

We will continue to keep you informed of developments. If you have any comments or feedback, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it