The plastic waste problem in NZ is growing, placing increasing pressure on landfill systems and the environment.

Plastic is part of everyday life—from food packaging and cling wrap to gloves and industrial materials. However, what happens to these products after use is often overlooked.

The Hidden Impact of Plastic Waste

Plastic is valued for its durability and convenience. However, those same properties mean it can persist in the environment for long periods of time.

Many common plastic products are designed for short-term use but remain in landfill long after disposal.

This creates long-term challenges for waste management systems and contributes to the growing volume of landfill waste.

The Landfill Challenge in New Zealand

A significant portion of plastic waste in New Zealand ends up in landfill.

Research on plastic use in Aotearoa highlights the scale of this issue and the ongoing reliance on landfill systems for waste disposal. Read more about plastic waste in Aotearoa

Landfill remains a core part of New Zealand’s waste infrastructure, with many materials ultimately entering disposal facilities. Learn more about NZ waste facilities

This highlights a key issue:

  • Recycling alone cannot solve the plastic waste problem
  • Solutions are needed for materials that are not recovered

Why Recycling Isn’t Always Enough

Recycling is an important part of reducing waste. However, it has limitations.

Not all plastics are recyclable, and even recyclable plastics depend on correct sorting and available facilities.

Global research has shown that only a small percentage of plastic is successfully recycled. View global plastic recycling research

In practice, a portion of plastic waste will continue to enter landfill systems.

A More Practical Approach to Plastic Waste

To address this reality, alternative approaches are needed alongside recycling.

Biowrap products are engineered to biodegrade in modern bioactive landfill environments through microbial processes under anaerobic (low-oxygen) conditions commonly found in active landfill systems.

These materials are designed to:

  • Remain stable during use
  • Begin biodegrading only in landfill conditions
  • Support improved long-term waste outcomes

 

Biowrap materials are evaluated using recognised international testing methods, including ASTM D5511 and Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) testing. Results may vary depending on landfill environments.

Moving Toward Better Outcomes

Reducing plastic waste requires a combination of approaches:

  • Improving recycling systems
  • Reducing unnecessary plastic use
  • Adopting materials designed for real-world disposal conditions

By considering how products behave at end-of-life, businesses and consumers can make more informed decisions.

Learn More About Landfill Biodegradable Plastic

For a deeper understanding of how landfill biodegradable plastic works, explore the Biowrap eBook.

Explore Biowrap Products

Explore our range of landfill biodegradable plastic products designed for real-world use: