Abstract:
Since the mid twentieth century plastics have transformed everyday life dramatically. The many advantages that plastics have brought to the modern society have resulted in a constant increase in production and consumption of plastic products around the world causing to an increased amount of plastic waste. Besides polluting the environment and representing an inefficient way of using finite resources, plastic waste poses increasing difficulties for traditional solid waste management systems. While theoretically many plastics have the potential to be re-used or recycled, their current usage is rather linear from raw material extraction, to consumption, to waste. This consumption pattern is often characterised by a number of individual actors working independently in an unregulated environment, mostly without considering the whole life-cycle impacts of plastic products. This thesis explores the argument that in order to achieve significant reductions of plastic waste, this waste stream needs to be managed in an integrated manner, which requires a systematic collaboration and integration of stakeholders involved in the life-cycle of plastic products. This research provides an analysis of New Zealand’s waste management system in reference to integrated management of plastic waste. By using documentary and empirical qualitative research methods this research explores the current situation of plastic waste management in New Zealand, how this waste stream is governed, and what the prospects of product stewardship are to achieve integrated plastic waste management in New Zealand. Concepts from the literature were used to establish a framework for assessing the current situation. Publicly available government documents, industry publication, academic articles and personal consultation were used to analyse the life-cycle of plastic products, the structure and magnitude of New Zealand’s plastic waste stream and how it is governed. Key stakeholder groups involved in the life-cycle of plastic products were then approached for semi-structured research interviews, which provided the input for assessing the current situation and the prospects of product stewardship to achieve integrated management of plastic waste in New Zealand. It was found that New Zealand’s unique conditions pose significant difficulties to integrated plastic waste management. These conditions are characterised by a small dispersed population, a large proportion of imported plastic products, and a lack of domestic markets for recycled plastics. Poor availability of data about this waste stream and lack of control by local government limit the formulation of effective management options. A focus on voluntary initiatives and weak leadership by central government has resulted in fragmented efforts to integrated plastic waste management with mixed results. Generally, a lack of integration and collaboration between stakeholders along the supply chain of plastic products was identified. Product stewardship was found to have potential to achieve integrated plastic waste management in some instances. However, a co-regulatory approach to product stewardship with attention on a collaborative governance structure of product stewardship schemes was recommended to achieve meaningful reductions of the overall plastic waste stream in New Zealand.