Recyclable Materials and Waste Management: Revisiting the Challenge of Plastic Waste Processing
In the early 19th century, the world of plastic began to take shape. Cellulose-based 'Parkesine' was introduced in the 1860s, and by 1933, Saran, a type of plastic food wrap, was born. Fast forward to the present day, and plastic has become an integral part of our lives, used in a wide range of everyday products from food packaging to building materials.
One company leading the charge in plastic recycling in New Zealand is Flight Plastics. Originally named Flight Plastics, the company was later acquired by The Pact Group in 2021 and now operates as Pact Packaging. In 2017, they opened New Zealand's first PET wash plant, enabling them to close the recycling loop and process used PET plastic into new packaging for various food products.
New Zealand's efforts to reduce plastic waste have also been recognised in the agricultural sector. Organisations like Agrecovery have made significant strides in collecting and recycling agricultural plastics, such as HDPE containers and silage wrap. Recycling volumes have increased significantly, with hundreds to thousands of tonnes of plastic collected yearly.
However, challenges remain. Contamination of soft plastics, limited demand for certain recycled materials, and the need for evidence and accreditation to ensure recycled plastics meet standards and market expectations are just a few of the hurdles faced by the recycling industry.
Moreover, certain plastic types, such as types 3, 5, 6, and 7, are more difficult or unprofitable to recycle. These plastics are often multi-layered, contain problematic additives, or lack existing recycling technologies, making their technical and economic recyclability limited.
The government has recognised these challenges and announced a three-stage plan to phase out plastics that are hard to recycle in New Zealand, starting in late 2022 and ending in mid-2025. This plan is expected to remove more than 2 billion single-use plastic items from landfills or the environment each year.
Furthermore, the government is working with stakeholders and business groups to formulate a plan for the phase-out of types of expanded polystyrene, single-use cups, and wet wipes. The Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill, recently passed, includes bans on certain plastic items, reflecting ongoing governmental action toward better plastic waste management.
Despite the challenges, the push for a circular economy and closed-loop recycling systems is seen as a promising solution to deal with plastic waste and pollution in New Zealand. By finding innovative solutions to plastic waste, the country may pave the way for technological advancements in the recycling industry.
Sources:
[1] Rethinking Plastics in Aotearoa New Zealand report [2] New Zealand Plastics Packaging Alliance [3] Ministry for the Environment, Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill
- The environmental-science community recognizes that technology plays a crucial role in addressing climate-change consequences, such as plastic pollution, and is actively seeking innovative solutions.
- As the push for closed-loop recycling systems continues in New Zealand, finance will be essential for investing in technology needed to recycle hard-to-process plastics like types 3, 5, 6, and 7.
- To further reduce plastic waste and its impact on the environment, the industry must work hand-in-hand with science, climate-change experts, and technological innovations to develop sustainability in packaging, production, and disposal practices.
