Sustainable End-of-Life Options for Plastics in New Zealand

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ISBN 0-473-10612-4 Research undertaken by Nikki Withington for Plastics New Zealand Inc. This document has been printed on 100% recycled paper, and coloured with water soluble vegetable dyes
Executive Summary The purpose of this project was to conduct a preliminary investigation into sustainable end-of-life options for plastics recovered in New Zealand, to help support and encourage the achievement of the New Zealand Packaging Accord plastics sector recycling target. The project was specifically developed to gain a better understanding of what happens to plastics at the end-of-life (EoL) stage; to then be able to determine feasible, sustainable solutions for increasing the recovery of packaging and other plastics. Statistical analysis of plastic material in New Zealand in 2004 showed: • 262,904 tonnes of virgin resin and reel/sheet stock were imported for manufacture in NZ. • 35,442 tonnes were collected for recovery, of which 79% (28,004 tonnes) was packaging. • The Plastics Sector is on track to meet the Packaging Accord recovery target of 23% (by weight as a percentage of consumption) by 2008. • Current plastic material recycling rates in NZ match international best practice. • The majority of products collected were film [predominantly LDPE], and beverage (soft drink, juice and milk) bottles [HDPE and PET]. An assessment of the current national infrastructure for recycling and alternative end-of-life options revealed: Recycling • The majority of plastic (18,082t), was recovered from post-consumer industrial sources followed by post-consumer domestic (12,873t), and then pre-consumer industrial sources (4,487t). • Most of the NZ population (96.8%) had access to recycling. • There are over 38 commercial recyclers operating in NZ. • Kerbside or drop-off recycling services were provided across 59 of the 74 council districts in 2004. • 55% of the recovered material was exported (mainly to Asia). • The majority of recovered material was baled in its original form and exported. • HDPE and PP are processed onshore, most PET is exported. • The end-market price for non-coloured plastic was greater than for coloured plastic. Alternative End-of-Life Options • Material recycling will continue to be the primary end-of-life option for plastics, followed by energy recovery for non-recyclable materials (such as contaminated food packaging); and composting (for 100% degradable material) as a separate option. • Degradable plastics are becoming more common in NZ, and the level of degradability of plastic products needs to be measured, standardised and communicated through labelling systems. • There need to be robust systems in place to prevent potential contamination between plastic recycling and composting streams. Executive Summary 2
Page 1: Research Project Report Sustainable
Page 5 and 6: Acknowledgements Special thanks are
Page 7 and 8: 4.2.5 Measure of Degradability ....
Page 9 and 10: Introduction In 2003 the New Zealan
Page 11 and 12: Results 1. Plastic Material in NZ 1
Page 13 and 14: From the 2005 PNZ Mass Balance Surv
Page 15 and 16: 2. Statistical Analysis of Plastic
Page 17 and 18: 2.3 Breakdown of Recovered Plastic
Page 19 and 20: 2.5 Breakdown of Colours and Produc
Page 21 and 22: 2.5.4 PVC Approximately 2,412t of P
Page 23 and 24: 3. Assessment of the Current NZ Inf
Page 25 and 26: Figure 16: Implementation of kerbsi
Page 27 and 28: Figure 18: Other material recovered
Page 29 and 30: 3.3.3 Forms of End-Market Material
Page 31 and 32: 4.2.4 Cons • The cost of deriving
Page 33 and 34: 4.2.8 Viability of Composting Plast
Page 35 and 36: Strict regulations have been set in
Page 37 and 38: 5. Factors Influencing Recovery 5.1
Page 39 and 40: Commercial recyclers operating unde
Page 41 and 42: 5.9 Key Points Voluntary industry a
Page 43 and 44: Recommendations R.1 Improve Informa
Page 45 and 46: Appendices Appendix 1: Supplementar
Page 47 and 48: Appendix 2.8 Forms of Plastic End-M

Sustainable End-of-Life Options for Plastics in New Zealand

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