Sustainability
What Sustainability Means to Us
At Reclaim, sustainability is more than a buzzword - it is the very reason we exist. We believe New Zealand’s resources should flow in closed loops, not single-use pipelines to landfill. That guiding principle shapes every decision we make: from the trucks we drive, to the advice we give, to the community programmes we champion. To our team, success is measured not only in tonnes recycled but in cleaner coastlines, empowered partners, and a lighter carbon footprint for Aotearoa.
How We Put Our Values into Action
| Focus Area | What We're Doing | Why It Matters |
| Core Business | Recycling is our business. For over 50 years we’ve collected and processed cardboard, paper, plastic film, glass, rigid plastics, organic waste and more, diverting thousands of tonnes from landfill every year. | Recycling conserves resources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and underpins New Zealand’s circular economy. |
| Campaign Leadership | We founded and run New Zealand's annual Recycling Week campaign, which inspires hundreds of businesses, schools and households nationwide to reduce waste. | Creating nationwide momentum multiplies our impact far beyond our own operations. |
| Advisory & Audits | Our team of specialists deliver waste audits, training sessions, and tailored diversion plans for clients of every size. | Knowledge turns good intentions into measurable results and long-term cost savings. |
| Carbon Management | Reclaim are proud to be certified Toitū Enviromark Gold since 2018! Our Environmental Management System is independently audited, driving continual improvement and rigorous performance tracking. | A certified system ensures we identify, measure, and systematically reduce our environmental impacts year-on-year. |
| Low-Emission Fleet & Machinery | Hybrid vehicles power our sales fleet. Inside our plants, electric forklifts already replace diesel units and we trial emerging low-emission technologies as they mature. | Transport and material-handling equipment are major emissions sources; electrification tackles them at the root. |
| Community & Education | Quarterly staff beach-clean ups, free public recycling drop-offs in Auckland and Christchurch, and internships that bring students into real-world waste audits. | Hands-on experiences build environmental stewardship and create pathways for the next generation of sustainability leaders. |
| Independence & Integrity | 100 % NZ-owned, no landfill affiliations. Our sole incentive is to maximise diversion to reputable recyclers. | Clients can trust that our recommendations are unbiased and genuinely in the planet’s best interest. |
| Local Employment | We hire locally and invest in upskilling our people. | Strong local roots support regional economies and ensure our services reflect community needs. |
| Industry Leadership | Proud members of WasteMINZ—collaborating to lift industry standards, advocate for effective policy, and share best practice. | Collective action accelerates progress toward national waste-reduction goals. |
Transparency & Continuous Feedback
Every member of our team—from drivers to plant technicians—is trained to recognise contamination in recycling bins. Whenever we spot non-recyclable material, we immediately notify the client with photos, data, and practical advice. This real-time feedback loop empowers our partners to adjust staff behaviours, refine signage, and keep their recycling streams clean—maximising recovery rates and preventing good material from being lost to landfill.
Looking Ahead
We are committed to continuous improvement—expanding the reach of Recycling Week, adoption of proven net positive technologies, piloting solutions for hard-to-recycle plastics, and partnering with innovators who share our vision of a truly circular New Zealand.
Sustainability is not a destination but a journey we walk every day, alongside our clients, our communities, and you. Join us. Together, we can transform waste into opportunity and leave a cleaner Aotearoa for generations to come.
