The nationwide rules for recycling, set by the government, come into force today. I know that I don’t agree with all of the changes, especially how lids aren’t accepted, but we just have to do the best we can.

Please note that this only applies to kerbside recycling, there are places which collect soft plastics, etc. Batteries can also be recycled at various businesses in Upper Hutt.

What can be recycled, and where to recycle it in Upper Hutt

• Paper/cardboard – Clean and flattened
• Cans – Clean, don’t crush
• Glass – Clean and separated into colours
• Plastics 1, 2 and 5 only – Clean, don’t squash, NO LIDS
• Tetra Pak – open out flat, rinse, leave lid on (Recycling Station only) 

Examples of plastics you CAN recycle

• Plastics type 1 – water, juice, soft drink bottles and meat trays (provided they are clean and free from cling film)
• Plastics type 2 – milk, cream, shampoo and cleaning product bottles and containers
• Plastics type 5 – take away containers, yoghurt and ice-cream containers
• Tetra Pak – soy milk, almond milk containers (Recycling Station only)

Examples of plastics you CANNOT recycle

• Plastics type 3 –clear food packaging, certain biscuit trays and coffee cup lids
• Plastics type 4 – soft plastics such as plastic bread and produce bags, six-pack rings
• Plastics type 6 – disposable cutlery, plates and cutlery, and polystyrene products
• Plastics type 7 –other plastics or combined materials used for toys.

Glass (At Recycling Station)

Source: Upper Hutt City Council – Opening paragraph by Ben Knowles – Editor / Operator @ The Upper Hutt Connection

31/01/24