WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR RECYCLABLES?

Plastic containers are sold on to companies in New Zealand, Australia and China who then use the plastic flakes from these containers to make new items such as soft drink bottles, pillow and sleeping bag filling, recycling bins and speed bumps.

Paper is transported to local paper mills while the remainder is exported overseas to various markets such as Malaysia. The paper and cardboard is then sorted into types and washed, bleached and rolled to make recycled board. It can then be used to make a huge range of items for the printing and packaging industry.

Glass is recycled in New Zealand and sorted into groups- clear glass, amber glass and green glass. The glass can then have future uses such as new glass bottles and jars and as a sand substitute in road construction.
Most steel is recycled in New Zealand and made into more steel products.

Aluminium is sent to Australia or Japan for recycling. Both these products are able to be recycled over and over again.

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