Your Role

We all have a part to play in improving the environmental performance of plastics.

There are important things that you can do to influence the lifecycle environmental impacts of plastics.

Here is a simple six step guide to being environmentally smart with plastics:


1. Think Before You Buy

Make sure all plastic packaging has the plastics identification code on it before you buy. 

The Plastics Identification Code The Plastics Identification Code


2. Reducing

Choose not to take a plastic bag for small purchases. Buy in bulk containers. Buy things with less packaging e.g., a pouch instead of a bag in a box.


3. Repairing

Bumper bars, wheelie bins, bread crates and much more can be repaired with plastic welding. Try the yellow pages for your local plastic repairers.
 

4. Recovering

Buy recycled products. Look for the Environmental Choice label http://www.enviro-choice.org.nz/
Tip: get really green and buy a compost bin made from recycled milk bottles. Did you know a plastic (HDPE) compost bin can reuse 145 2litre milk bottles? http://www.enviro-choice.org.nz/companies/alto.html


5. Reuse

  • Reuse bottles and containers before you recycle them. Think before you throw.
  • Reuse plastic: bags, bottles; jars and containers.
  • Donate old appliances to charity.
  • Get appliances fixed. Hair dryer blown up? - get it repaired.
  • Reuse resealable cereal bags for small toys and cards.
  • Charity bins take toys and useful bric-a-brac.
  • Have a garage sale or call in to the Salvation Army.


6. Recycling

Is there a Council kerbside collection in your area? 97% of New Zealanders have access to community recycling facilities. Most will recycle bottles and containers with 1 and 2 symbols on them, some take 3,4,5 & 6 as well so check with your Council. Then check bottles and containers for the right plastics identification code. Then rinse and remove the lids before putting them in your recycle bin.

The Plastics Identification Code The Plastics Identification Code

Plastic things you can easily recycle:

  • PET & HDPE containers
  • Computers
  • Appliances
  • Car parts
  • Toner cartridges
  • Commercial film, shroud & shrink wrap

Is your school recycling? Find out how you can too - then come up with five different ways to recycle plastic at school.
Is your business recycling? Check out this list of recyclers.
See our recycling section for more information.

Plastic Recyclers Contact List 2008 Plastic Recyclers Contact List 2008