Plastic goes into landfills as recycling attempt fails

Auckland City residents will be able to put fewer items in their blue recycling bins each week as the city cuts back on the types of plastic it will accept for recycling.

From November 17, the only items that can be collected for recyling are:

* grades 1 and 2 plastic bottles from the kitchen, bathroom and laundry

* tins

* glass bottles and jars

The grades are indicated by a number inside a triangle of arrows on the bottom or side of the container.

The city's recycling collection contractor, Streetsmart Ltd, will no longer accept:

* grade 5 plastics for recycling

* grades 1 and 2 plastic containers, such as takeaway containers and microwaveable meal trays.

From November 17 the above items will need to be squashed and put in the red-topped wheelie bin, along with grades 3, 4, 6 and 7 plastics and regular household rubbish.

Auckland City says it had hoped markets for grade 5 plastics and grades 1 and 2 plastic containers would open up. So far this hasn't happened and it does not look like there will be any markets for these items in the foreseeable future.

Grades 1 and 2 plastic bottles are sold to companies in New Zealand, China and Australia. Grade 1 plastic is recycled to make carpets, plastic bottles and sleeping bags. Grade 2 is used for compost bins, buckets and pipes.

Currently, all other plastics end up in landfill. Until now, the recycling contractor has sorted these at the recycling centres and taken them to the landfill – a costly way of disposing of them.

Having households place them directly in the rubbish will reduce costs.