Wellingtonians can now conveniently recycle plastic and metal caps and lids while doing their grocery shopping, thanks to Foodstuffs’ partnership with The Packaging Forum’s Caps and Lids Recycling Scheme. Collection points are now available in 11 New World and PAK’nSAVE supermarkets across the region, making it easier for shoppers to do their bit for the environment.
With kerbside recycling no longer accepting caps and lids, Foodstuffs, the New Zealand owned co-operative whose local grocers own and operate the country’s New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square stores, has teamed up with the Packaging Forum to support this nationwide recycling initiative.
The busy, accessible locations of supermarkets mean hundreds of thousands of Wellingtonians can participate in the programme as part of their everyday routine. The Scheme officially launched in Wellington today with a special event at PAK’nSAVE Lower Hutt.
Since its initial launch in September last year, the Caps and Lids Recycling Scheme has already diverted approximately four tonnes of plastic and metal caps and lids from landfill. The expansion into Wellington marks another milestone with the capital joining Auckland, Tauranga and Christchurch, bringing the number of drop-off points to almost 50 across New Zealand, with 30 of the sites being Foodstuffs’ supermarkets.
Debra Goulding, Sustainable Packaging Manager at Foodstuffs, said: “We’re proud to be both a foundation partner and a delivery partner for this important new recycling initiative. As a 100% New Zealand-owned and operated co-operative of local grocers, we take our responsibility to the environment seriously. By making it easy for our customers to recycle their caps and lids at New World and PAK’nSAVE stores, we’re ensuring valuable packaging materials stay in circulation rather than ending up in landfill.
“With financial support from Pams, our Own Brand team, and a commitment from store owners to manage collection points, we’re helping drive real change. It takes a village to make a difference and the support of our partners across the collection, transport, and recycling network has been instrumental to the success of the programme.”
The Scheme is an industry-funded initiative operated by The Packaging Forum, designed to ensure caps and lids are collected, processed, and given a second life as new products. Community enterprise Earthlink, based in Lower Hutt, will collect the recycling boxes from participating stores and community hubs for transport to processing partners.
Metal caps are sent to New Zealand-based recyclers such as Hayes Metals and Simms Metals, while plastic caps are processed by PACT Recycling in Auckland before being sent to Australia for final recycling into new products like wheelie bins and plant pots.
Rob Langford, CEO of The Packaging Forum, highlighted the significance of Foodstuffs’ involvement. “Our goal is to ensure that by June 2025, 80% of New Zealanders have access to a participating collection site within 20km of their work or home.
“New World and PAK’nSAVE supermarkets are some of the most visited locations in New Zealand, and their support for this scheme means more people than ever have access to convenient recycling options. Expanding the collection network to Wellington is a big step forward in ensuring these materials are properly recycled.”
Wellingtonians can now drop off a variety of caps and lids at the following New World and PAK’nSAVE stores:
• PAK’nSAVE Lower Hutt
• New World Churton Park
• New World Hutt City
• New World Island Bay
• New World Miramar
• New World Newlands
• New World Newtown
• New World Otaki
• New World Porirua
• New World Tawa
• New World Thorndon
Collection points are also available at Earthlink Lower Hutt, Sustainability Trust Wellington, and Otaihanga Zero Waste Kapiti.
The programme is now looking to expand to Hamilton and Dunedin in April with work underway to ensure the infrastructure and partners are in place to support the initiative.
For more information about the Caps and Lids Recycling Scheme and drop-off locations, visit https://capslids.recycling.kiwi.nz/
