Recycling
Plastic’s strength is not just in its durability, flexibility and long service life – it’s also in its recyclability. At Aliaxis NZ, we’re committed to making plastic part of a more circular, sustainable future by keeping valuable materials in use for longer and reducing our reliance on virgin resources.
We’re focused on the actions we can take locally: expanding our recycling initiatives, increasing the use of recycled material, and manufacturing our products as responsibly as possible, including using ethylene-based resin rather than carbide-based PVC resin.
When handled correctly, plastic can be recycled many times. If we can close the loop by recycling uPVC and PE off-cuts or taking back product at end of life, we can significantly reduce the amount of virgin material, and therefore, fossil fuels we consume. Each of our four NZ manufacturing sites reworks offcuts and scrap – and uses recycled material in new products where applicable.
We’re committed to action, so we are investing in New Zealand’s recycling capability.
NZ’s first dedicated uPVC recycling facility
In 2025 we launched Plastics Recycling New Zealand (PRNZ) – a joint venture in partnership with WM New Zealand and made possible with support from the Ministry for the Environment’s Plastic Innovation Fund. PRNZ is New Zealand’s first dedicated post-consumer uPVC recycling facility – and also recycles PE material.
This Auckland-based recycling plant receives more than just pipe – we’re proactively seeking uPVC and HDPE from a variety of sources. Everyday plastic waste such as shampoo bottles and road-markers – as well as uPVC construction materials including fencing, hoarding, and joinery – is collected, shredded, washed and granulated here.
The recycled material is then used by each of our Aliaxis NZ manufacturing sites to make the next generation of PVC and HDPE piping systems for building, infrastructure and agriculture projects across the country. This helps close the loop and reduces the amount of plastic resin needed to be imported.
Recycling in action
Thanks to our partners, and all the trades and projects that returned old product and pipe, we reclaimed 1406 tonnes of plastic material in 2025.
We have a growing network of drop-off locations nationwide with more than 45 sites currently accepting uPVC scrap.
Recycled content
We’re currently using recycled content in 112 SKUs manufactured locally at Aliaxis NZ sites.
Next time you are instore where Drainflo® or Drainflo® Smooth is being sold – take a sniff! Made with over 80% recycled content, including janitorial waste such as shampoo and conditioner bottles, you can sometimes detect a whiff of fragrance.
Other popular products that contain significant amounts of recyclate include:
- AdjustaPit® injection moulded bodies made with 100% recycled content
- OPTIM® DWV pipe contains up to 20% recycled content
- Connecto Trade channels made with 100% recycled content
- Calibre® PE Power Duct contains up to 90% recycled content
- Calibre® PVC Power Duct contains up to 20% recycled content
