What the government's doing about waste

The government helps govern our waste space, and is constantly looking at ways we can better take care of our environment. You can always find out what it's working on at the websites below.

The government's 2021 work includes:

  • Phasing out hard-to-recycle and single-use plastics
  • Standardising kerbside collection systems and consumer package labelling across the country
  • Investigating a container return scheme as an option for reducing litter and waste to landfill
  • Investing in recycling infrastructure
  • Reviewing waste legislation
  • Developing a new waste strategy for Aotearoa New Zealand
  • New national environmental standard for storing tyres outdoors
  • Increasing and expanding the national waste disposal levy
  • Introducing accredited stewardship schemes for six priority products (plastic packaging, tyres, electrical and electronic products, agrichemicals and their containers, refrigerants, farm plastics)
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