From plastics to posts
Manawatū District Council has taken a circular approach to managing plastics throughout the district by partnering with New Zealand owned and operated, Future Post.
Future Post takes types 2, 4, and 5 plastics and turns them into durable fence posts that are used across a variety of sectors such as agriculture, viticulture, horticulture and marine. Future Post also turns waste plastic into garden beds and post-and-rail fencing for lifestyle and equine properties. Various plastic types received by the Manawatū Resource Recovery Centre will be sent to Future Post. With a lifecycle of at least 50 years per post, it’s an innovative way to minimising waste.
“The impact that Future Post has in terms of diverting plastic waste from New Zealand’s landfills is immense as the equivalent of 250 milk bottles and 1100 bread bags are in every single 125mm/1.8m post”, Hassan Wong, General Manager of Future Post explains. “The opening of a Blenheim factory last year means Future Post now has factories in both the south and north islands, further reducing the environmental footprint of this waste.”
With the first two loads, totalling over 80 bales or 30 tonnes of plastic, having recently left the Manawatu Resource Recovery Centre, the partnership has officially been cemented.
Usually there are strict guidelines as to the types of plastic and the condition of the plastic that can be recycled. When not properly cleaned out or if food particles still remain, this can contaminate the load and forfeit the ability for the items to be recycled. “One of the things that appealed to us about Future Post was their ability to accept different types and qualities of plastic”, Hamish Waugh MDC General Manager says. “Being able to send a larger quantity and of varying qualities to Future Post allows a stronger waste minimisation plan.”
The distinctive black posts are currently on display in the Manawatū District Council office. “It will be exciting to see the posts used within the District and know that we all had a part in the creation of the post simply by recycling,” tells Waugh.
For information on Future Post, visit www.futurepost.co.nz
The first bale of plastics being loaded to be delivered to Future Post.