Where does your recycling go?

It’s a question most people don’t know the answer to, and a lot of people would say a landfill. But we’re excited to say that if you’re in Palmerston North or Wanganui your clean Polypropylene (PP) #5 plastics are part of a circular economy - they’re made into Method bins.

This includes:

• 2L ice cream containers
• 1L yogurt containers
• Hummus containers
• Takeaway containers
• Paint pales
• And more!

In 2019 alone we utilised over 44 tonnes of NZ recycled materials manufacturing Method bins. We’re looking to beat this in 2020, with the introduction of our Twenty Litre bins we’ve designed the bins to be made of over 80% recycled materials. We’re also finishing the process to increase the recycled materials in our Sixty Litre Bins for the next production run (once we leave lockdown of course).

It can be difficult as consumers to see the impact that our individual choices have on the environment. But without the efforts of individuals and families in these areas, we wouldn’t have been able to have such a significant impact, so we’re excited to let you know the impact your decisions have had.

It’s also thanks to pioneers in the industry like our friend Kevin Joe from Aotearoa NZ Made who continued to petition local councils for PP to be separated. Without efforts like these, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to divert such an immense amount of PP.

What is the circular economy?

The Circular Economy is a step above recycling, it’s products that are designed to keep materials in use for as long as possible. Often, products made from recycled materials are then not recyclable again, but Method’s bins are made from pure Polypropylene #5 plastic so they’re recyclable again and again.

Method Co-founder and CEO Steven Korner asserted that “the bins are made with a long term focus, not only are the bins going to last a long time but we’ve thought about what will happen at end of life. Manufacturing from recycled materials is only half a solution if it’s not then recyclable again.”

A lot of focus is placed on consumer recycling habits, and while this is important, the most important part of a successful recycling and circular economy is the design and material choices of any given product. So, in fact, the greatest power we as consumers have is at the purchasing stage. Learning what materials are circular and purchasing these rather than non-recyclable alternatives.

“Waste and pollution are not accidents, but rather the consequences of decisions made right at the very beginning - at the design stage of a product, where as much as 80% of environmental impact is determined.” - Ellen MacArthur Foundation, pioneers of the Circular economy philosophy