From 1 February 2024 what can go into council kerbside recycling is the same across Aotearoa New Zealand. Find out what can and can’t go into food scraps and food and garden waste collections and why.
From 1 February 2024, only food scraps or food scraps and garden waste can be accepted in all council kerbside food scraps and food and garden (FOGO) collections.
Councils have discretion over whether they accept compostable bin liners and certain types of garden materials in their collections.
Paper and cardboard including paper towels and pizza boxes, and compostable packaging are not accepted in council kerbside food scraps and FOGO collections.
Paper, paper bags and compostable bin liners can only be used to line food scraps caddies where councils choose to allow it.
Kerbside organics collections are used to make a variety of products such as compost and digestate that are added to our soils. Paper, cardboard and compostable packaging can introduce chemicals of concern such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other additives into the soil. These can then potentially enter the food chain.
The Ministry is taking a cautious approach by excluding paper, cardboard, and compostable packaging from council-managed food scraps and FOGO collections. Some of the contaminants that can be found in paper, cardboard and compostable packaging are described below.
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used in consumer products and industrial processes to provide resistance to heat, water and oils. PFAS can be found in paper, cardboard and food and beverage packaging such as fibre-based takeaway containers and pizza boxes.
PFAS can persist in the environment and accumulate in soils, plants, and consequently enter the food chain. PFAS can also dissolve in water and end up in our waterways.
PFAS exposure may lead to negative impacts for humans, animals and plants. Overseas studies show that exposure to certain levels of some PFAS compounds can lead to negative health impacts in humans.
The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is doing work to phase out PFAS from cosmetics and firefighting foams. More information on this work is on the EPA website.
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic generally smaller than five millimetres in size. When plastics break down they can produce microplastics. Plastic with the potential to break down into microplastics can be found in some types of compostable plastic packaging and plastic-lined paper products.
Microplastics are becoming a concern globally. Overseas research shows that microplastics have been found in the air, land, water, animals and humans. Like PFAS, microplastics can accumulate in the environment. In Aotearoa, researchers are working to understand the effects of microplastic pollution in our unique ecosystems.
Other additives to fibre and compostable packaging, such as inks, dyes and heavy metals, may also contaminate composts. Inks and dyes are often used to add colour to fibre and compostable packaging. Some inks and dyes may contain heavy metals.
Overseas research has found that heavy metals have negative effects on soil health. All compostable packaging certifications have limits on heavy metals, but not all packaging is certified compostable.
Clean paper and pizza boxes can be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin. Just make sure they are clean and all food scraps have been removed.
Used paper towels and compostable packaging can only go in your rubbish bin.