Funding available for solutions to tackle soft plastic waste
Applications open for round two of the Plastics Innovation Fund – Te Tahua Pūtea mō te Kirihou Auaha.
The fund supports projects that find ways to use less plastic and make what we do use reusable or recyclable.
This funding round will focus on projects that help reduce soft plastic waste. Soft plastics include bags, packaging and plastic film – basically, anything made of soft plastic that can be scrunched into a ball.
Finding solutions for soft plastic waste is challenging – especially when contaminated by food, dirt or chemicals.
Most councils in New Zealand can’t accept soft plastic for recycling via their kerbside collection. Soft plastics are difficult to process into other useable items, and soft plastic processing facilities are not widely available.
We also need better solutions for the large volumes of commercial soft plastics produced. These include farm bale wrap, timber and building wrap, and other commercial packaging.
For more information on eligibility and to schedule a conversation with the MFE team before submitting an application visit the Plastics Innovation Fund.