The Australasian Recycling Label ‘ARL’ in Aotearoa NZ
In NZ? Find out what you can and can’t put out at the kerbside on the Ministry for the Environment’s website here.
ARL is an on-pack labelling scheme that helps consumers to recycle correctly and supports brand owners and packaging manufacturers to design packaging that is recyclable at end-of-life. The ARL aims to provides clear and simple instructions about how to recycle the separable packaging components.
The Recycling Leadership Forum (RLF) is now responsible for managing New Zealand’s input into the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL), a role previously held by the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council (NZFGC). In February 2025, stakeholders across the packaging and recycling supply chain, including the NZFGC, recommended that the RLF take on the role of leading and coordinating input into the way the ARL works in New Zealand.
The ARL is a system that gives clear disposal instructions on product packaging. It helps consumers recycle correctly and encourages businesses to create packaging that can be easily recycled. The establishment of the RLF has provided an opportunity for a broad set of sectors and stakeholders to help move this work forward, making it easier to address challenges in applying the ARL in New Zealand. The Minister for the Environment commended the NZFGC for taking the lead on the ARL’s application in New Zealand in 2021. New Zealand ARL Program users can be assured that this transition will not impact how they currently engage with or use the ARL. The change is designed to strengthen stakeholder representation and ensure ongoing support for the program in Aotearoa New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment supports the ARL as the preferred labelling option in New Zealand. From 1 February 2024, what can go into NZ council kerbside recycling is the same across Aotearoa New Zealand. This makes it more standardised for New Zealanders to recycle right. Find out what you can and can’t put out at kerbside on the Ministry’s website here. The ARL PREP updates will reflect these collection differences.
Beyond Kerbside – Recycling schemes in NZ
To support recycling efforts of items not collected at kerbside, but that can be, click here or below to find out more about the recycling schemes run by our partners at The Packaging Forum: