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What is the annual tonnage of PVC, polystyrene and PVdC food and beverage packaging entering the New Zealand waste stream, and what proportion of that is currently recycled?

Answered Question 38991 (2026)
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Asked by

Rachel Brooking

Member for Dunedin · Labour Party

Question

  • What is the annual tonnage of PVC, polystyrene and PVdC food and beverage packaging entering the New Zealand waste stream, and what proportion of that is currently recycled?

Answered by

Hon Nicola Grigg

Member for Selwyn · National Party · Minister for the Environment

Answer

PVC and polystyrene are estimated to comprise around 3 per cent of food and beverage packaging placed on the New Zealand market. These materials are not recycled in New Zealand. Packaging made from these materials typically enters landfill and, where placed in kerbside recycling, is treated as contamination and disposed of to landfill if identified at sorting facilities.