Would the Minister consider regulations and/or education to encourage consumers to dispose of thermal receipts, which contain Bisphenol-A (BPA), as household waste (rather than paper recycling) to avoid BPA entering food via recycled packaging such as cardboard pizza containers?

Answer

Paper or cardboard that is plastic lined, such as receipts and boarding passes, is not accepted in kerbside recycling. I encourage the public to dispose of these via household waste. Further guidance on what is accepted and not accepted in kerbside recycling is detailed in written guidance on the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport website: https://environment.govt.nz/assets/publications/Waste/standard-materials-kerbside-collection-guidance-june-2026.pdf?v=7990f63808aefaf5c91c80ad3355ee523b9cdb81 I acknowledge the important role of education in helping people to recycle better. My recent visit to the Auckland Material Recovery Facility reinforced that contamination remains a significant issue in our recycling system, and any education campaign would benefit from a scope broader than thermal receipts alone.