New stop for top recyclers

• Published date: 25 April 2024
• Author: Judith Lacy
• Publication title: Guardian, The

Until the end of March, people were able to drop blister packs, cosmetic, haircare and skincare packaging, and some stationery into the boxes for recycling

The boxes were paid for by a Palmerston North City Council Resource Recovery Fund grant.

Environment Network Manawatū (ENM) communications and events lead Helen King said the boxes were only a trial.

The boxes were popular, but King also valued the conversations about waste disposal she had with people who brought in recycling.

She said it was lovely to watch parents teach their children about recycling.

Waste is a global problem a small organisation like ENM can’t solve, but it encourages people to advocate for packaging changes.

The blister pack box was particularly popular, and it was getting to the point where ENM would need to pay $300 for a new box every two weeks, King said.

That was unsustainable.

Under nationwide council kerbside recycling rules that came into effect on February 1, loose bottle tops are no longer accepted.

ENM is accepting wine bottle tops, beer bottle tops and type two, four and five plastic lids, including those from milk bottles.

It...