WasteMINZ leads the industry in influencing policy development on behalf of our members. Our sector groups regularly provide feedback on consultations such as proposed changes to the Waste Disposal Levy, New Zealand Waste Strategy and technical regulations of asbestos and lead contamination. We keep our members informed of legislative change and maintain networks with the Ministry for the Environment, Cabinet Ministers and key decision makers.

WasteMINZ coordinates the national Love Food Hate Waste campaign, and leads significant projects with significant outcomes for New Zealanders, including research into plastics and national discussions such as standardising kerbside collections and leading right-to-repair discussions.. 

We work with councils, MRFs, recyclers and businesses to create sustainable markets for resource recovery. We are at the forefront of challenging conversations to ensure onshore processing of recyclables improves, to introduce product stewardship at the beginning of a product’s lifecycle, and to improve waste minimisation practices in key industries such as Construction and Demolition.

We apply our research and expertise to maximising value in waste materials, which underpins the incentive to recycle, recover and reuse. For example how to create and retain value for low-grade plastics; and how transport and processing for glass, aluminium, wood and food waste can be improved.

WasteMINZ advocates forward-thinking in the design of products, processes and packaging to minimise waste and protect our future generations. Our sector groups work on campaigns and directly with manufacturers to achieve this, such as publishing guidelines for compostable packaging . 

Specialists and subject matter experts across our membership readily share their research and wisdom through papers, events, workshops and webinars. Current topics include: microplastics and emerging contaminants; lithium ion batteries; asbestos at landfill; managing mental wellbeing; safety on contaminated sites and for kerbside collectors.