We know many of our customers are interested in using sustainable products with minimal environmental impact. However, recycling information in New Zealand can be fragmented and complex.
On this page, we aim to provide the most up-to-date information available to us, to the best of our knowledge, as it relates to our products. We hope this helps you make informed choices when selecting your packaging options.
Glass
Most of our glass is recyclable kerbside in New Zealand. There are a few exceptions (most notably black glass, frosted glass, and our vial range), which are outlined below. You can also view the ‘Material’ section under each product to identify the glass type.
Glass Types
Most of our glass is Soda Lime III, a kerbside-recyclable glass commonly used for consumable products such as juices and jams.
A select range of our glass is borosilicate, which is not kerbside recyclable in New Zealand. Borosilicate glass is commonly used in scientific and laboratory applications, as it can withstand higher temperature fluctuations and is non-reactive with a wide range of chemicals. The majority of our borosilicate glass is found in our vial range.
Glass Colours
For our Soda Lime III glassware, clear, amber, blue, green, and antique green are all recyclable.
Frosted Glass
Frosted glass is currently not kerbside recyclable in New Zealand. This is because frosted glass is often made using non-recyclable glass types or coatings and is therefore typically rejected during sorting.
The frosted glass supplied by Arthur Holmes is Soda Lime III and produced using an acid etching process rather than a coating. While it is technically recyclable, it is likely to be rejected during sorting due to the difficulty in distinguishing it from coated glass.
Black Glass
Black or opaque glass is not kerbside recyclable. This is because sorting technology at recycling facilities cannot accurately identify the material due to the lack of transparency, resulting in it being rejected.
Plastics
Plastic types currently accepted in kerbside recycling in New Zealand are:
- #1 PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
- #2 HDPE (High-density Polyethylene)
- #5 PP (Polypropylene)
Please check the ‘Materials’ section under each product for more information about its material composition.
Closures
Lotion pumps, mist sprays, and droppers are not recyclable due to the multiple materials used in their construction.
Caps are not accepted in kerbside recycling due to their small size, even when made from plastics #1, #2, or #5. Some supermarkets accept caps for recycling—please check locally for available services.
You can also find further information from the Caps & Lids Recycling Scheme.
Bamboo
Arthur Holmes does not supply bamboo caps or droppers. While these may appear to be a more sustainable option than plastic, they are typically lined with plastic. A fully plastic cap is more likely to be recyclable through a collection point, whereas mixed-material caps like bamboo and plastic have extremely limited or no recycling options.