Soft plastic recycling returns to region

JO KENT

Soft plastic recycling is set to return to Nelson Tasman in four months thanks to New Zealand company Future Post opening a new processing plant in Blenheim.

The company makes fence posts out of soft plastic, so collection points for the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme are expected to be re-established across the Top of the South once it opens in May.

The recycling scheme takes all soft plastic, including bread bags, frozen food bags, toilet paper packaging, confectionery and biscuit wrap, chip bags, pasta and rice bags, courier envelopes, shopping bags, sanitary hygiene packaging ¬- basically anything made of plastic which can be scrunched into a ball.

It first launched in 2015 but stopped in December 2018 when offshore plants processing New Zealand’s plastic no longer wanted it.

Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme manager Lyn Mayes says that’s when they started a supply agreement with Future Post.

“They were just setting up production in Auckland, so we resumed collections on a limited basis in Auckland mid-2019.”

Now none of the country’s soft plastic is exported – it’s all recycled in New Zealand.

“We pay our processors to recycle the soft plastic to incentivise the market. This is different to the usual recycling process where a processor ‘buys’ bales of plastic. We effectively sell our bales of soft plastic.”

Despite local collection points vanishing four years ago, people in Christchurch, Akaroa, Oama- ru, and Rangiora have been able to continue recycling.

Lyn says the reason why our collection points vanished was because the logistics of transporting the soft plastics back to Auckland were too difficult.

“Partnerships with members Goodman Fielder and Cottonsoft have allowed us to start collec- tions in Canterbury and Otago, but not Nelson and surrounds.

“Goodman Fielder organise transport via their network back up to Auckland. We don’t use airport freight, but road, rail and sea.”

The scheme collected 500 tonnes of plastic last year, which is about double what was collected in 2021

(260 tonnes). In 2023 they expect to double the volume again to 1000 tonnes of soft plastic.

From a scheme perspective, Lyn says it makes sense to wait until there is a local circular economy for soft plastics where the materials collected in the region can be processed there.

Future Post’s new factory will not only increase collection efficiency in the South Island, but it will also reduce transport limitations and allow for several new collection points to be put in place.

Future Post managing director Jerome Wenzlick says the company has built their own machinery and figured out how to use all the different types of waste plastic that no one else can use.

“Our fence posts need to be the same or better than wood, which is what we’re up against.”

He says each fence post uses about 8000 pieces of soft plastic.

The company has strong demand for its products, particularly from wineries in the Top of the South.

Jerome says the cost of freighting posts from Auckland across the Cook Strait was significant and given the demand in the viticulture industry, it made sense to establish a second factory in Blenheim.

“We can actually show that plastic straight off the vineyard is made into a post and back to the vineyard.”

Welcoming locals and visitors alike, Rutherford Hotel Nelson’s iconic Port O’Call Bar is again open for business. Operating for over 50 years, Rutherford Hotel Nelson has a longstanding history in the region as one of Nelson’s leading hotels and premier conference centres, with a deep pride for delivering exceptional service and experiences for all who visit. Open for bookings seven days a week, Rutherford Hotel has been Nelson’s dining destination since 1972 and is the perfect place to get away for a night or meet up with friends. It is just minutes’ walk from the CBD making it the ideal location to stop in for casual drinks, a delicious dinner or snack, or choose from a fine collection of scotch whisky.

Located in the heart of the city, Port O’Call Bar offers a delicious new bar menu using fresh local ingredients, which includes a mouth-watering Beef Sirloin Steak, a Pork Barbacoa Burger with slow-cooked pork, Braised Pork Belly with seasonal vegetables and Green Shell Mussels steamed with Sauvignon Blanc. Vegan, Gluten Free and Dairy Free meals are also available along with light snacks and dessert.They boast a large selection of local and international beers and wines as well as one of Nelson’s largest selections of whisky. Experience next-level whisky tasting with a range of options that include premium whiskeys and whiskys from four different countries, rich and full flavoured ranges, a connoisseur’s sampler or a tasting through the ages. Conference and Events Administrator, Molly Potter says, “Port O’Call Bar welcomes you back. When you need a place to relax and catch up with friends, Port O’Call Bar is the perfect spot! Relax and unwind in our lounge style bar and let our dedicated team create something refreshing and delicious just for you! Let us show you our Manaakitanga, we can’t wait to see you.” The team at Rutherford Hotel Nelson is dedicated to excellence in service. Through commitment to their people, they aim to exceed expectations and create an atmosphere where guests can be somewhere special. Open Monday – Sunday, 4pm – 11pm. Port O’Call Bar, Level 2, Rutherford Hotel Nelson. Keep an eye out on Rutherford Hotel Nelson’s social media pages for exciting new events to be announced later in the year.