Media Release
15 September 2006

Number 5 Plastics Added to Recycling Collection

Manukau residents will be able to recycle more rubbish with the addition of number 5 plastics to Manukau City Council’s kerbside recycling collection from 2 October.

The expansion means number 5 grade plastics join grades 1 and 2 in the list of recyclable containers. Glass, paper and cans are also collected for recycling.

Examples of products using number 5 plastic containers are margarine, ice cream, honey and drink bottles.

Environment and Urban Design Committee Acting Chairman David Collings says the expansion of the collection is excellent news.

“This initiative has the potential for an extra 3700 tonnes of rubbish a year to be recycled instead of going into landfills. We want to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill, so the more we can collect through recycling bins the better.

“Manukau residents are already among the best recyclers in the country, this gives us another opportunity to reduce the city’s waste,” Cr Collings says.

“Empty ice cream and margarine containers should now be thrown into the recycling bin instead of the rubbish.

“Recycling is one of the major ways people can reduce waste,” Cr Collings says.

Eighty per cent of households use Manukau City Council’s recycling collection, which has run for five years. During this time 4598 tonnes of number 1 and 2 plastics, 31,614 tonnes of glass, 46,252 tonnes of paper and 2595 tonnes of cans have been recycled

All items should be rinsed and lids removed before placing them in the recycling bin. Bottles should be squashed and the lids go into a rubbish bag.

Residents should remember that recycled materials are picked up by people, not machines, so they are asked not to put anything out they would not like to handle themselves.

ENDS

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