Auckland's mixed paper and cardboard recycling will be temporarily sent to landfill as the city's overseas market, which processes the recyclables, has been closed as a result of global restrictions.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Auckland Council confirmed there is currently no capacity in New Zealand to process Auckland's volume of paper and cardboard recyclables.
The city's kerbside recycling collection services will not be impacted and will continue as normal. Waste collection is considered an essential service while the COVID-19 alert level 4 lockdown restrictions are in place.
"My key message to Aucklanders is [to] still keep putting your paper and cardboard in your recycling bin as usual while we change how we deal with it in the backend," advised councillor Richard Hills, chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee.
Auckland Council sends fibre, such as paper and cardboard, to be recycled overseas. As countries continue to shut their borders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the council says this is no longer an option.
"While it isn't ideal, we have no choice but to landfill these items at this time," Hills said in the statement.
"Our focus will be to make sure Aucklanders can still recycle with as little disruption as possible."
The situation highlights New Zealand's need for its own recycling measures instead of being reliant on other countries, Hill says, noting that Auckland Council was in discussions with the central Government prior to the outbreak.
"We will continue to advocate for better recycling in New Zealand and product stewardship to reduce single-use packaging."
Waste Solutions' general manager Parul Sood says international commodity markets for all recyclables face an uncertain future due to the impacts of the pandemic.
"The council is continuing to work closely with our supplier that sorts, processes, and finds markets for Aucklanders' recyclables to maintain supply chains and ensure that recyclable materials are turned into new products, both within New Zealand and offshore," she confirmed.
She reiterated that aluminium, steel, glass and plastic are all still being recycled at this time.
As kerbside recycling services are not affected by the change, Aucklanders should continue to put their recycling bins out on the kerbside by 7am on their designated collection day.
