The company contracted to recycle soft plastic packaging is warning local authorities and major supermarket chains that the scheme may fail if it doesn't get more support. Last year, the soft plastic recycling scheme was established with government funding, to collect plastic packaging. The soft plastic is baled and sent to Melbourne to the recycling company Replas, which turns it into usable products such as park benches and bollards, which are then imported back to this country.
Replas says New Zealand has doubled the rubbish it is sending to Australia, and only imported half of it back in the form of recycled products, and the scheme could be at risk unless than changes.
Kathryn Ryan talks to Carl Longstaff from Replas & Local Government NZ Vice President Stuart Crosby
