General Statistics
The New Zealand Plastics Industry is a highly innovative, versatile and unique Industry. It is a Is a critical “enabler” for key sectors in the New Zealand economy specialising in Agriculture (including Horticulture, Aquaculture & Viticulture), Construction, Medical, Engineering, Industrial Componentry, Technology, Packaging, Homewares & Appliance Sectors.
Characteristics of the New Zealand Plastics Industry:
- Does not manufacture plastic raw material (with exception of small amount of bioplastics)
- Imports all plastic raw materials in granular or sheet form, mainly from Asia and North America
- Has revenues of around $2 billion
- Has over 300 Plastics Companies
- Employs greater than 9,000 with an ongoing commitment to upskill, train and develop people
- Converted 229,099 tonnes of raw plastic into products in 2022
- LDPE & HDPE is commonly used for Film, Packaging & Pipe applications
- Polypropylene (PP) usage has grown rapidly and is predicted to be the next main viable material for commujnity and kerbside recycling
- PVC is mainly used in the Agricultural and Construction sections
- Less than 1% of waste produced during the manufacturing process is sent to landfill
- Products produced are split 60% Packaging, 40% Other
- Packaging is split 60% Rigid, 40% Flexible
Data and facts regarding waste in Aotearoa New Zealand.
