Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme

The Packaging Forum’s soft plastic recycling scheme is now available in Thames, Tairua, Coromandel Town, Whangamatā, Whitianga and Pāuanui (for a trial period).

This scheme promotes soft plastic recycling using community collection bins. The soft plastics will then be turned into fence posts or building materials.

Smart Environmental will collect the soft plastics and bale the plastic ready to transport either to Future Post in Tuakau (where the product will be made into plastic fence posts) or saveBOARD in Hamilton (where it will be made into building materials).

Our Council’s Solid Waste team work closely with the Packaging Forum to provide this service.

Volumes collected

Since the scheme started, the volumes of soft plastics collected in our district through all the participating venues are:

  • July 2022 – March 2023: 5.58 tonnes
  • April 2023 – Nov 2023: 9.18 tonnes
  • Dec 2023 – March 2024: 4.176 tonnes
  • April 2024 – June 2024: 4.596 tonnes
  • July 2024 – September 2024: 4.74 tonnes 

Soft plastics bin.jpg

Where can I find these community bins?

Thames

  • Pak’nSave
  • The Warehouse
  • Thames Council Office
  • Thames Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station

Coromandel Town

  • Coromandel Town Council Office
  • Coromandel Town Four Square

Whangamatā

  • New World Whangamatā
  • Council office Whangamatā 
  • Whangamatā Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station

Whitianga

  • New World Whitianga 
  • Countdown Whitianga 
  • The Warehouse Whitianga
  • Council office Whitianga
  • Whitianga Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station

Tairua

  • Tairua Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station

Pāuanui

  • Pāuanui Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station (trial period 20 December 2024 - 9 February 2025; after which it'll be reviewed)