Plastics New Zealand

09/09/2026

Know a year 12 - 13 student interested in a career in plastics manufacturing?

Check out the upcoming open days to learn more about the opportunities that the 'Earn as you Learn" programme offers.

Earn as You Learn gives young people paid workplace days inside New Zealand’s top manufacturing businesses, alongside classroom learning and a pathway towards the New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing (Level 3).

It is a chance to build practical skills, experience real workplaces and get a clearer sense of what could come next, without needing to have the whole future figured out.

Our upcoming Earn as You Learn Open Days are designed for students and their families to see the programme for themselves.

They can step inside real manufacturing workplaces, meet the people working there, ask questions and get a feel for what modern manufacturing could open up.

Students, parents and whānau are all welcome.

Open Days are coming up across Auckland, Waikato, Canterbury and Bay of Plenty – Saturday 17th October.

To find out more & register here: https://lnkd.in/eXUMYiuWE

https://www.amanz.nz/events

03/09/2026

Registrations Open! Operation Clean Up Week Events
9–13 November 2026

With the year already flying by, it's time to start preparing for another Operation Clean Up Week. Mark your calendars and get your gumboots at the ready, because from 9–13 November we'll once again be rolling up our sleeves to remove litter from our local environments.

Each year, Operation Clean Up Week continues to grow, with more volunteers, more regions involved, and an even greater collective impact. We're excited to build on that momentum in 2026 and demonstrate the plastics industry's commitment to being part of the solution.

We have a number of events planned - register to join one or you can host your own!

Find Out more or register here: https://lnkd.in/eSSnmuxH

Operation Clean Sweep New Zealand (OCS NZ) is a programme committed to preventing plastic pellets, flakes, and powder from entering Aotearoa New Zealand’s waterways and oceans.

Download the OCS NZ Guide today: https://lnkd.in/gaAMXMcN

02/09/2026

KNZB Clean Up Week is coming!

Plastics New Zealand is proud to support Keep New Zealand Beautiful's Clean Up Week 2026, due to take place from 18th – 25th September.

KNZB Clean Up Week is a great opportunity to get your friends, family, school, business or local community group together to participate in New Zealand’s largest clean up event and to make a positive and tangible impact in your local community.

CREATE YOUR OWN EVENT
Register online NOW!
Clean Up Week - Keep New Zealand Beautiful


OR JOIN ONE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Check out our calendar of events
https://lnkd.in/eFCfrbDu

11/08/2026

Keen to learn more about Plastics? Upskill your staff in plastics design and product development?

The next semester of the Diploma in Design & Specification of Plastics kicks off 4 September with DDSP Introduction, our 1 day course, and places are filling fast.

Created by Plastics New Zealand and delivered by industry experts, this hands-on, diploma is built for NZ professionals who want real-world skills in plastics design and product development.

What you’ll learn in DDSP Introduction:
* Discover NZ's plastics Industry and its economic contributions.
* Essential steps involved in the design process for new products.
* How polymers are classified, their different properties, and typical
applications for the most common plastics.
* Explore the different types of plastic processing equipment.
* Examine the environmental pros and cons around the use of
plastics
* Understand the basics of safe handling and use of plastics

Delivered as an in person, four-part, seven-day programme* in Auckland, it’s designed to fit around your work while making a real impact on your career.

Ready to upskill, gain confidence, and future-proof your expertise?

Register now — spaces are limited.

https://lnkd.in/eCNsvPE8



*In Person Course for real world learnings and discussions. This course is NOT available online.

11/08/2026

Tru Design Plastics Ltd Achieves OCS NZ Re-Certification!

Congratulations to Try Design Plastics Ltd on successfully passing their Operation Clean Sweep New Zealand (OCS NZ) audit.

This re-certification reflects Tru Designs’ ongoing commitment to preventing plastic pellets, flakes, and powders from entering Aotearoa New Zealand’s waterways and oceans - turning intention into measurable action.

Every site audited through the OCS NZ programme is assessed against the standards outlined in the OCS NZ Guide, with certification awarded only once those standards are fully met. From repairing damaged drain covers and strengthening spill-response procedures, to enhancing staff training and refining operational systems, the focus is on practical improvements that make a real difference.

This is meaningful progress backed by genuine commitment.

A big thank you to Robert Michael, Lorraine Healey and the Tru Design team for continuing to raise the bar. It’s not always easy work - but it’s vital for building a cleaner, more responsible plastics industry.

Download the OCS NZ Guide today: https://operationcleansweep.org.nz/resources

28/07/2026

Pact Packaging Wellington Achieves OCS NZ Re-Certification!

Congratulations to Pact Packaging - Wellington on successfully achieving re-certification under Operation Clean Sweep New Zealand (OCS NZ).

This milestone reflects their continued commitment to preventing plastic pellets, flakes, and powders from entering Aotearoa New Zealand’s waterways and oceans.

Each site audited through the OCS NZ programme is assessed against the standards set out in the OCS NZ Guide — with certification only awarded once those standards are fully met. From repairing damaged drain covers and strengthening spill response procedures, to enhancing staff training and refining operational systems, this work is grounded in practical, on-the-ground action.

This is what real progress looks like — driven by genuine commitment.

A big thank you to David Parke and the Pact Packaging Wellington team for continuing to lead by example. It’s not always easy work, but it’s essential for building a cleaner, more responsible plastics industry.

Download the OCS NZ Guide today: https://operationcleansweep.org.nz/resources

26/07/2026

Plastics New Zealand is proud to support Keep New Zealand Beautiful's Clean Up Week 2026, due to take place from 18th – 25th September.

As a Supporter of Operation Clean Sweep NZ, Keep New Zealand Beautiful helps champion our mission to prevent manmade materials from entering our waterways and environment.

As the Clean Up Week approached, we're reminded that protecting our environment is a group effort - requiring industry, communities, and organisations to work together.

Find out how you can get involved in KNZB Clean Up Week 2026 here: https://www.knzb.org.nz/programmes/clean-new-zealand-beautiful/clean-up-week/

26/07/2026

Interested in getting into Manufacturing?

Check out the latest post by Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa on the different pathways you can take or visit https://www.amanz.nz/career-guide

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/advancing-manufacturing-aotearoa_thefuturemakers-careerpathways-futurecareers-activity-7485950082886995968-85d6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAA1-ovYBD0VgS0Ta0KuqBZ3QqgULSzcc-Q8

Explore careers in New Zealand manufacturing.

21/07/2026

OCS NZ Certification Success!
Congratulations to Forward Plastics on achieving certification under the Operation Clean Sweep New Zealand programme.

Every site audited through Operation Clean Sweep NZ is measured against the standards in our OCS NZ Guide. Certification is only awarded when those standards are fully met — from repairing damaged drain covers and strengthening spill procedures to training teams and improving systems.

This is meaningful progress, backed by genuine commitment.

A big thank you to Santha France and the Forward Plastics team for stepping up and raising the bar. It’s not always easy — but it’s essential for building a cleaner, more responsible plastics industry.

Download the OCS NZ Guide today: https://operationcleansweep.org.nz/resources

15/07/2026

Congratulations Uniplas NZ on their recent Green Gold Award at The Post 2026 Gold Awards.

Uniplas NZ is leading sustainable manufacturing with one of New Zealand’s largest rooftop solar arrays—1,622 panels covering 5,300m², generating 70–90% of its energy and saving over 80 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Their holistic approach includes renewable energy, hybrid and electric vehicles, and circular product design, such as fully circular bread crates.

Uniplas has cut waste by 50%, reduced its carbon footprint by 54%, and is an active member of Project Clean Sweep.

Their innovations set a benchmark for sustainable change in the plastics industry, proving that environmental responsibility drives resilience and growth.

This is well-deserved recognition for Richard and Joseph Whitmore, and the team at Uniplas NZ, leading the way for sustainable manufacturing in Aotearoa.