If you've noticed that the big green Love NZ Soft Plastic Recycling bins have disappeared from supermarkets and other participating stores, it's because the national recycling scheme has been suspended until April 2019.

Due to changes in the global recycling markets, Love NZ have collected more soft plastics than they are currently able to process so have had to suspend collections, says a Tauranga City Council communications advisor.

'More than 400 tonnes of soft plastic (plastic that can be scrunched into a ball such as plastic bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, etc.) has already been stockpiled, and unless processed soon it may have to be landfilled as mould from food residue deteriorates the quality of the material.

'So sadly, until new processing solutions and/or markets have been found, soft plastics now must go in rubbish bins/bags destined for landfill.”

What can we do?

1. All is not lost, as an even better option is to reduce the amount of soft plastic waste we create in the first place. Here are five easy ways to reduce the use of soft plastics and prevent them from ending up in landfill: Consider what you buy. Look for alternatives that have the least, or no packaging, or packaging that can be re-purposed or recycled.
2. Put your produce items directly in your shopping trolley and then straight into your reusable shopping bag at the checkout. Produce is fine without a plastic bag, it's just a habit for most of us. If you really want to use individual bags for each item, re-use bags you've already got, paper bags, or get some lightweight mesh/cloth bags to use indefinitely. If you're into crafty projects, you can make your own reusable bags out of old t-shirts - there are lots of online instructional videos available.
3. BYO reusable containers, especially when grocery shopping. Check with your local butcher, delicatessen, or supermarket butcheries and delis and ask if they will put meat and other deli foods in your reusable containers. Buy food, pet food, and cleaning products in bulk from bulk bin outlets and BYO reusable containers.
4. Use reusable beeswax food wraps, instead of plastic food wrap and snack bags. These are made from cotton, keep food fresh, are simple to clean, and can be washed and re-used for up to 12 months. At the end of their life, beeswax wraps can be composted if you have a home compost bin. For school and work lunches, take your lunch in a reusable container, rather than in a plastic bag
5. If there are ‘must-have' items on your shopping list that have soft plastic packaging, take the time to drop a line and ask the manufacturer if they will consider more sustainable packaging options for their product.