Which plastic numbers can I recycle?

Plastic numbers 1, 2 and 5 can go in your kerbside recycling bin. Plastic numbers 3, 4,6 and 7 cannot.

When you buy something made from plastic, you might see a small triangle with a number inside it. This number tells us what type of plastic it is. The number is important because different plastics are recycled in different ways. Some can be turned into new products here in New Zealand. Others cannot be recycled safely or easily.

The quick answer

Plastic number  Can I recycle it?  What should I do? 
 1 Yes  Put it in your kerbside recycling bin 
 2 Yes Put it in your kerbside recycling bin
 3 No Put it in your rubbish bag
 4 Some items Soft plastics can be dropped off at participating locations from 6 July. Other number 4 plastics go in your rubbish bag.
 5 Yes Put it in your kerbside recycling bin
 6 Some items

Polystyrene packaging can be dropped off at Ferguson Street Recycling Centre for a fee. Other number 6 plastics go in your rubbish bag.
 7 No Put it in your rubbish bag

Before you recycle

Before putting plastic into your recycling bin:

  • empty and rinse the container
  • remove lids (put the lids in your rubbish bag)
  • if you're unsure, leave it out. 

What each plastic number means

Plastic number 1 (PET)

Collected, sorted at our Awapuni Resource Recovery Centre and then recycled in NZ.  

Common items: 

  • fruit and vege punnets 
  • soft drink and water bottles 
  • harder plastic containers that hold spreads like peanut butter and mayonnaise. 

Plastic number 2 (HDPE)

Collected, sorted at our Awapuni Resource Recovery Centre and then recycled locally in Palmerston North. 

This plastic is strong and used for many household bottles. 

Common items: 

  • milk bottles 
  • juice bottles 
  • shampoo bottles 
  • cleaning product bottles

Plastic number 3 (PVC)

We can't recycle plastic with this number and don't collect it. Please place in your rubbish bag instead.

Common items:

  • clear trays for holding food or takeaways 
  • some large containers with sturdy handles 
  • plastic containers used for storing or packaging things like batteries or electronics.

Plastic number 4 (LDPE)

Most number 4 plastics are soft plastics, including:

  • bread bags
  • plastic shopping bags
  • bubble wrap
  • chip packets
  • kitchen wrap.

These can't go in your kerbside recycling bin.

You can drop eligible soft plastics off free of charge at Ferguson Street Recycling Centre and participating stores as part of the soft plastics recycling trial.

Find soft plastics drop-off locations

For other number 4 plastics, place them in your rubbish bag.

Plastic number 5 (PP)

This plastic is often used for takeaway food containers and sturdy tubs. 

Common items:

  • takeaway containers 
  • large yoghurt containers 
  • ice cream containers 
  • plastic cutlery. 

These plastics are collected, sorted at our Awapuni Resource Recovery Centre, then recycled locally in Palmerston North. 

Plastic number 6 (Polystyrene)

We don't accept polystyrene in kerbside recycling. But clean polystyrene packaging can be dropped off at Ferguson Street Recycling Centre for a fee. For other types of polystyrene, please place in your rubbish bag instead. 

Common items: 

  • 6pk yoghurt pottles 
  • some meat trays 
  • foam cups 
  • protective packaging.  

Plastic number 7 (Other plastics)

This is a mix of different plastics, including BPA, polycarbonate, acrylic, nylon, polylactic fibres and fibreglass. We can't recycle these items and don't collect them. Please place in your rubbish bag instead. 

Examples include:

  • baby bottles and sippy cups 
  • CDs 
  • plastic toys 
  • packaging for some food and electronics. 

Some plastic items don't have a recycling number. If you're unsure, check our recycling guide or leave it out of your recycling bin.

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