Recycling is a big part of our culture in New Zealand, but what can be recycled varies by region. While glass, cardboard, aluminium, tin, and some plastics are widely accepted, plastic types accepted differ depending on where you live - some areas accept types 1–7, others only 1 and 2.

What happens to the recycling?

Glass is recycled locally into products like Glasscrete and Glassphalt used in roads. Paper and cardboard are recycled in NZ or Asia into items like newsprint, tissue, and cartons. Hard plastics are sent to Australia, Southeast Asia, or recycled here into products such as fence posts and outdoor furniture. Aluminium and steel are recycled both locally and abroad into cans, building materials, and more.

Because New Zealand produces less recycling material than larger countries, much of it is sent overseas - which is believed to have a lower environmental impact than building new recycling facilities here.

What about soft plastics in New Zealand?

Soft plastics aren’t accepted in most curbside collections but can be recycled through dedicated schemes. We stock NZ Post's Soft Plastic Recycling Bag, which lets you collect soft plastics at home and drop them off at an NZ Post store or arrange a free courier pickup.

These soft plastics are recycled at Future Post in Waiuku into long-lasting products like fence posts and outdoor furniture, helping keep waste out of landfill and our environment.