3R Group - Your sustainability journey

The latest news

Stay up to date with environmental news and follow the latest sustainability journeys.

Will we see sustainable packaging promises met by 2025?

21-07-2022 / Consumer goods

Globally and in New Zealand many players in the food and grocery industry have committed to making their packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.

3R's ChemCollect team at the MyHazWaste event in Te Awamutu

MyHazWaste event rated a success by Waipā community

15-07-2022 / Hazardous waste management

The recent MyHazWaste event run by 3R Group in Te Awamutu has received a glowing response from members of the public, who collectively disposed of just over 4.8 tonnes of hazardous household waste and chemicals.

Case study: Visy Recycling

12-07-2022 / Case studies / Hazardous waste management

Find out how the insights we provided are helping Visy Recycling improve glass recycling in Aotearoa New Zealand.

3R Group part of the Climate Leaders Coalition

You don’t have to be a big business to be a climate action leader

30-06-2022 / Climate change

The Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) has unveiled its most forward-thinking Statement of Ambition yet and we’re proud to be on board.

3R running tradie breakfast on construction and demolition waste

Let’s talk construction and demolition waste (reduction)

28-06-2022 / Construction and demolition / Events

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste accounts for nearly half of all material going to landfill in New Zealand.

Chemical collection and disposal – from start to finish

22-06-2022 / Hazardous waste management

What happens to chemicals which are expired or no longer needed and why is it so important to dispose of them properly?

3R CE Adele Rose with tyres pulled from Auckland harbour

Trailblazing regulated stewardship in New Zealand

21-06-2022 / Product Stewardship

Today (21 June) we officially announced the start of Tyrewise, which will be the first regulated product stewardship scheme in New Zealand.

Holistic approach crucial to sustainability success

8-06-2022 / Product Stewardship

Humans can be wonderful problem solvers but, while we are good at tackling individual issues, a holistic approach isn’t always the norm.

Are we about to see NZ’s turning point in the war on waste?

1-06-2022 / Policy, regulation and legislation / Waste reduction

New Zealand’s resource recovery landscape is set to change – to be transformed, a recently closed Government’s consultation suggests. As always, the devil is in the detail - but we are optimistic.

Leading kids into the House of Science

6-05-2022 / Circular Economy / People and community

An innovative programme aimed at raising science literacy in primary and intermediate schools is proving hugely popular - and we’ve jumped on board to help it reach its full potential in Hawke’s Bay.

3R myhazwaste hazardous waste containers

Case study: Palmerston North City Council MyHazWaste

3-05-2022 / Case studies / Hazardous waste management

Find out how we helped in Palmerston North City Council remove hazardous waste from their community with a MyHazWaste event

Getting your sustainability projects off the line

20-04-2022 / Circular Economy / Sustainability projects

Having the drive to improve your business’s sustainability is one thing, having the means to do the work is entirely another. hen working with clients we often look to see what funding options are available for their projects.

Sustainable is attainable in Hawke’s Bay

4-04-2022 / Circular Economy / Primary industries / Waste reduction

Can the food and beverage industry keep up sustainability gains and innovation into 2022?

3R Tyrewise new zealand's first regulated product stewardship scheme

Our work: Tyrewise, NZ’s first regulated product stewardship scheme

14-02-2022 / Automotive / Product Stewardship / Work

Find out how we helped the lubricants industry develop product stewardship scheme design to mirror requirements for a mandatory scheme.

ISO accreditation 3R health and safety team

Taking the health and safety high road

3-02-2022 / Compliance and certification / People and community

For a business to thrive it’s the employees who must come first. We couldn’t agree more which is why the health & safety of our people safe is top priority.

3R's MyHazWaste hazardous household collection service

Hazardous substances should never be ‘out of sight out of mind’

25-01-2022 / Hazardous waste management

Did you know some of the things Kiwis routinely store at home under the sink or in the shed are so hazardous they are managed under an international agreement? This agreement (the Basel Convention), of which New Zealand is a signatory, means the coun

Will sustainability strides of 2021 continue in 2022?

17-01-2022 / Circular Economy / Food and beverage / News

Can the food and beverage industry keep up sustainability gains and innovation into 2022?

3R ChemCollect hazardous chemicals and ibc

Responsibility for hazardous substances doesn’t end when they go out the door

9-12-2021 / Compliance and certification / Hazardous waste management

It's important everyone understands their responsibilities when they use or store these hazsubstances, especially when it comes to disposing of them.

3R team good friday tree planting at Mangarara

NZ’s big green, carbon eating machine (not trees)

7-12-2021 / Climate change / People and community

Mangarara Station in Central Hawke's Bay is an excellent example of regenerative agriculture and how farming can fight climate change on a big scale.

Cover of 3R's sustainable development goals report

Risk and Reward: Why do a sustainable development report?

7-12-2021 / Circular Economy / Climate change / News

Our Sustainable Development Report takes stock of our progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It helps us identify the economic, environmental and social issues and impacts associated with our work.

Construction and demolition waste with 3R

The other half of NZ’s waste problem

1-12-2021 / Construction and demolition / News / Waste reduction

Construction and demolition waste makes up around half of all waste going to landfill in New Zealand,

3R New legislation includes right to repair

Bold, new Government waste strategy will affect everyone

15-11-2021 / Food and beverage / News / Policy, regulation and legislation

As part of a new waste strategy it's proposed consumers have the right to return packaging and businesses must make it easy for customers to do so.

3R CE Adele Rose Project Manager for Tyrewise

We did it – New Zealand gets its first regulated stewardship scheme

4-11-2021 / Automotive / Policy, regulation and legislation / Product Stewardship

New Zealand’s first regulated product stewardship scheme, Tyrewise, was announced by Minister for the Environment David Parker on 4 November. As project managers this is a huge day for 3R.

Bulldozer at landfill 3R's take on new government waste strategy

A must read if you make, sell or import products in New Zealand

4-11-2021 / News / Policy, regulation and legislation / Product Stewardship / Waste reduction

The effects of government's proposed new waste strategy will be seen across the business landscape, with a focus on product stewardship, right to repair and right to return.

Case study: Villa Maria

3-11-2021 / Case studies / Sustainability projects

Read how we helped Villa Maria meet the environmental requirements of a key customer and build a better decision making framework.

NZ produces one of the highest amounts of waste per capita

Are you ready for Gov’s proposed new waste strategy?

19-10-2021 / Policy, regulation and legislation / Product Stewardship

Product stewardship, circular economy principles - these are all part of the proposed changes as outlined by Minister Parker.

Plastic spoons 3R discusses government's plastic action plan

Gov lays out national action plan for tackling plastic

18-10-2021 / Food and beverage / Policy, regulation and legislation / Product Stewardship

The National Plastics Action Plan, which was released mid-September, outlines Government’s drive to tackle problematic plastics by changing what plastic types are used, and how they are used.

Climbing the sustainability ladder with 3R

Can we climb the sustainability ladder?

15-09-2021 / Circular Economy / Food and beverage / News

Recycling is often the first thing which comes to mind in the waste hierarchy but should come after attempts to reduce and reuse.

Case study: Glass Packaging Forum

4-09-2021 / Case studies / Circular Economy / Product Stewardship

Read how we helped Villa Maria meet the environmental requirements of a key customer and build a better decision making framework.

Design – the genesis of a circular economy

22-08-2021 / Circular Economy / Consumer goods

Product design must lead the charge so products last longer, are repairable, can be easily dismantled for both end of life and refurbishment.

3R discusses the challenges for fibre packaging

Take a deep dive before you jump into fibre packaging

22-08-2021 / Circular Economy / Food and beverage / News

Like plastic, one of New Zealand’s biggest challenges with fibre is a limited capacity to recycle it onshore.

Our work: Synthetic refrigerant co-design project

6-08-2021 / Product Stewardship / Refrigerant gases / Work

Find out how we're helping Recovery and industry stakeholders avoid environmental harm from synthetic refrigerants.

3R NZ produces a large amount of food waste

A golden opportunity ripe for the taking

1-08-2021 / Food and beverage / Waste reduction

Did you know New Zealand households throw away some 157,000 tonnes of food each year? That’s enough avoidable food waste to fill 271 jumbo jets and is worth somewhere in the region of $1.17 billion.

Label your packaging for sustainability

31-07-2021 / Consumer goods / Food and beverage / Waste reduction

The desire for more sustainable packaging is greater than ever in New Zealand, but if we are going to reach this goal we have to take a holistic approach.

Don't muck up compostable packaging says 3R

Don’t muck up your compostable packaging

22-06-2021 / Food and beverage / News

There’s a fast-growing move to compostable packaging, but no national standard, labelling, or collection system, and few compost processors willing to take it.

Finding the sustainable packaging sweet spot

2-05-2021 / Circular Economy / Food and beverage / News

Designers and packaging technologists must balance food safety and wastage with the sustainability of the packaging.

3R's Natalie Martin time for business to tackle single use plastic

The time for your business to tackle plastic is now

6-04-2021 / Food and beverage / News / Policy, regulation and legislation

Government is tackling the issue of plastic waste with a two-pronged approach – regulated stewardship, and proposed phase-outs and bans.

3R's Dominic Salmon on low carbon transport

Hawke’s Bay could lead the way in low-carbon transport

2-04-2021 / Climate change / People and community

If just 5% of all short, vehicle-based urban trips in New Zealand were done by bike it would save about 22 million litres of fuel and reduce GHG emissions by about 54,000 tonnes.

Plastic packaging regulation is coming 3R asks are you ready

Plastic packaging regulation is coming, are you ready?

10-03-2021 / Food and beverage / Policy, regulation and legislation / Product Stewardship

A government announcement means regulated product stewardship schemes will have to be established to manage single use plastic packaging from creation to end of life

How the cost of waste will change New Zealand for the better

5-02-2021 / Policy, regulation and legislation

NZ is one of the cheapest places in the western world to dispose of rubbish, and we generate the fourth highest amount of waste per person in the OECD

pain cans 3R pain industry group project

Paint and packaging industry get around the stewardship table

11-12-2020 / Paint and textiles / Product Stewardship

New Zealand’s paint industry is the latest to move forward with creating an industry-led product stewardship scheme. An all-of-industry working group has recently been formed to create a pathway for unwanted and unused paint and its packaging to be

3R product stewardship lubricant containers

Our work: Lubricant containers scheme design

13-11-2020 / Automotive / Product Stewardship / Work

Find out how we helped the lubricants industry develop product stewardship scheme design to mirror requirements for a mandatory scheme.

Climate Action HB workshop success highlights sustainability focus

1-10-2020 / Climate change

The first Climate Action Hawke’s Bay workshop, aimed at helping businesses begin their sustainability journeys, has gained overwhelmingly positive feedback, with more planned.

3R seatsmart collections in central otago

Child car seat recycling now in Central Otago

21-09-2020 / Circular Economy / Consumer goods / Product Stewardship

Damaged or expired child car seats don’t need to go to the tip in Central Otago now the SeatSmart programme has launched in the district.

Child car seat dismantling at 3R premises

Dismantle a child car seat – how hard can it be?

18-09-2020 / Consumer goods / Product Stewardship / Waste reduction

Wouldn't it be nice if child car seats were designed for end of life, as well as for saving lives?

3R Trojan Kawana of LIFT dismantles a child car seat for recycling at 3R Group

Child car seat recycling helps lift youth employment

18-09-2020 / Media Releases / People and community / Product Stewardship

Dismantling child car seats isn’t the first thing which comes to mind when finding work experience, but a group of young men and women from LIFT Youth Employment have been taking it in their stride.

Product stewardship – what does success look like?

17-09-2020 / Circular Economy / Policy, regulation and legislation / Product Stewardship

Product stewardship is set to come into it's own following the recent Government announcement declaring no less than six priority products. But what does good product stewardship look like?

Why I’m celebrating the government’s latest announcement on waste

11-08-2020 / Circular Economy / People and community / Product Stewardship

Adele Rose explains why the Ministry of the Environment's recent announcement on priority products means to her.

3R Adele Rose speaks at the Government announcement on regulated product stewardship

3R Group CE speaks at priority product announcement

31-07-2020 / People and community / Policy, regulation and legislation / Product Stewardship

3R's CEO Adele Rose recently spoke at the Government announcement on regulated product stewardship. Read her speech.

Game-changing Government announcement in the war on waste

29-07-2020 / Circular Economy / Media Releases / Product Stewardship

Making a declaration of priority product signals which products the Government considers cause the most harm and therefore need to be covered by a regulated product stewardship scheme.

3R Paint product stewardship paint bucket and brush

Resene PaintWise™ welcomes Minister’s priority product announcement

29-07-2020 / Consumer goods / Policy, regulation and legislation / Product Stewardship

PaintWise programme manager Trevor Tutt says the announcement is a game changer for New Zealand. “This means importers, producers and retailers would have to be participants in a regulated product stewardship scheme."

3R refrigerant recovery product stewadship project wraps up

Project to tackle synthetic greenhouse gases wraps up

21-07-2020 / Hazardous waste management / Product Stewardship / Refrigerant gases

A project aimed at tackling one of the most potent causes of climate change has wrapped up, with its working group and managers now eagerly awaiting Government regulation.

Waste reduction from increase in waste levy

Waste levy increase a big step, but just the first

17-07-2020 / Policy, regulation and legislation / Waste reduction / waste levy

Just like water flows to the lowest point so waste flows to the lowest cost. The announcement by Government that it will increase and expand the waste levy is therefore an important step in tackling waste in New Zealand.

3R don't throw sustainability down the drain

Pull the plug on inefficiency, not sustainability

4-06-2020 / Circular Economy / Climate change

When budgets are tight, there’s a tendency to view sustainability initiatives like marketing and IT costs – they’re often the first to go, but at what cost?

3R Working from home has become a new normal

A look at the future of work

28-04-2020 / People and community

The importance of relationships between employees and employers and the way we work and interact has never been more relevant.

The time for sustainability is now

28-04-2020 / Circular Economy / Product Stewardship

Working in sustainability can be frustrating sometimes. The problems can look too big, too embedded, changes take too long.

ChemCollect helps plant trees in our back yard

1-04-2020 / Hazardous waste management / People and community

Our latest donation to Million Metres Streams has gone to plant trees at the Brookby Project – Papakura Stream in Auckland. Our Auckland depot is located in Papakura – which is just opposite where the stream empties into the Pahurehure Inlet,

Case study: Dulux paint and packaging takeback scheme

31-03-2020 / Case studies / Paint and textiles / Product Stewardship

Find out how we helped Dulux activate their take back service, save money and innovate.

3R climate action Cape Kidnappers by Richard Brimer

How to start your journey of climate change action

12-02-2020 / Climate change

Hawke’s Bay sustainability experts 3R Group are running the first of a series of workshops and events covering topics around climate action impacts, such as measuring and reducing emissions, energy, transport, water, and people.

3R CEO Adele Rose speaks to councils uniting on climate action

Businesses, councils unite on climate action in Hawke’s Bay

26-11-2019 / Climate change / Media Releases

The Climate Action HB: Business CoLab event on 25 November saw over 100 people from the region’s businesses and councils come together to begin plotting a way forward for Hawke’s Bay to transition to a low-emissions economy.

3R paint and packaging stewardship woman painting wall

Our work: paint and packaging product stewardship

24-10-2019 / Paint and textiles / Product Stewardship / Work

We're partnering with industry to develop product stewardship and innovative solutions that all of the industry can get behind.

Leadership on sustainability is key says 3R

New campaign to help businesses take more responsibility for what they make

19-08-2019 / Circular Economy / Media Releases / Product Stewardship

A business campaign to increase ‘product take back’ schemes has won the support of the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund.

Priority product consultation announcement Eugenie Sage big move says 3R

Minister’s priority product announcement “groundbreaking”

9-08-2019 / Product Stewardship

Government’s announcement that it will begin consulting on a plan to make multiple industries accountable for their products and packaging at end of life is groundbreaking, but long overdue, for New Zealand.

3R ChemCollect service remove hazardous fire fighting foams

Banned firefighting foam cleared from New Zealand airports

7-08-2019 / Compliance and certification / Hazardous waste management

Banned firefighting foam stored at three New Zealand airports no longer poses a threat after being safely collected.

3R MyHazWaste Jason and Mark at Palmerston North

Palmy residents lighten their chemical load

30-07-2019 / Hazardous waste management

Over a tonne of dangerous chemicals have been collected from Palmerston North residents at a free disposal day.

Zero Carbon Bill welcome news for Hawke’s Bay

17-05-2019 / Climate change / Media Releases

The release of the Zero Carbon Bill is welcome news, particularly in Hawke’s Bay where the effects of coastal erosion and weather events due to climate change are already being felt, says Hawke’s Bay sustainability expert and Chief Executive of 3

People, people, people – the future of work

17-05-2019 / People and community

People should always be at the centre of the future of work, writes 3R Group Chief Executive Adele Rose.

Case study: Resene PaintWise

31-03-2019 / Case studies / Paint and textiles / Product Stewardship

Find out how we're helping Resene realise their vision to be respected as an ethical and sustainable company.

3R the highs and lows of emission reduction

The highs and lows of emissions reductions

30-03-2019 / Climate change

3R Group may differ to other organisations in that sustainability, emissions reductions and waste recovery are core to what we do, but we have had the same experience with reducing our emissions.

Chemical collection service helps add to Million Metres planting

25-01-2019 / Hazardous waste management / People and community

Six months worth of work by 3R Group's ChemCollect service has not only meant some 8.8 tonnes of chemicals have been properly collected and disposed of, but a Central Hawke's Bay stream restoration project has benefited too.

Changing our attitude to plastic

24-01-2019 / Circular Economy / Consumer goods / Food and beverage

Plastic didn’t put itself in the oceans for turtles to eat, or in the forests to smother wildlife. That dubious honour goes to us humans.

Lubricant Container Stewardship Scheme

24-01-2019 / Automotive / Product Stewardship

The number of lubricant containers sold into the New Zealand market has been revised down following further investigation by the Waste Lubricant Container Working Group.

The plural of plastic

21-01-2019 / Circular Economy / Product Stewardship

The terrible effects it has on the environment are undeniable, and there is evidence those effects are circling back to us. Plastic has also become something of the posterchild for society’s conspicuous over-consumption.

3R Sustainable Development Report 2017-2018

19-12-2018 / Circular Economy / Compliance and certification

Our latest Sustainable Development Report looks what we do, how we do it and most importantly why we do it, with sustainability at the top of our mind.

New recycling stations look out for health of the Bay

11-12-2018 / Circular Economy

Arohatia Te Mātau ā Māui, do you “Love your bay”? When you are at the Hawke’s Bay Hospital or the Napier Health Centre you will have a chance to show it, with new recycling stations and food scrap bins giving staff and visitors the chanc

3R climate change what a difference a year makes

Facing the facts about climate change

10-10-2018 / Climate change / Policy, regulation and legislation

What a difference a year makes, the National Party’s environment spokesperson, Scott Simpson, told the EDS Climate Change and Business Conference yesterday.

3R Adam Weller Waste Management speaks at 3R SBN event

Electric future for waste collection

11-09-2018 / Climate change

Making the switch to electric vehicles isn’t just a ‘nice to do’ for one of New Zealand’s biggest companies, it makes good business sense too.

3R Electric vehicles are a growing market in NZ

Clean, green, electric performance

11-09-2018 / Events / News

Electric-powered vehicles are nothing new, but it’s only in recent years they have begun to gain a foothold in the light vehicle market in New Zealand.

Courtyard facelift with recycled paint

10-09-2018 / Paint and textiles / People and community / Product Stewardship

The back courtyard at our 3R offices has been transformed, using recycled paint for a mural.

Single-use plastic; are we missing the point?

23-08-2018 / Circular Economy / Consumer goods / Policy, regulation and legislation

To truly deal with the main issue of single-use plastic bags we need to focus on our actions, our behaviour, our choices.

3R American student interns Cristal Pugel, left, and Katelynn Horner

Accepting the Plastic Free July challenge

7-08-2018 / People and community / Waste reduction

Can you live without plastic? Can you go even just one month without using it? It’s a far more difficult challenge than you might think.

A circular future with stewardship at the centre

31-07-2018 / Circular Economy / Product Stewardship

Mention the term ‘product stewardship’ to the first person you bump into on the street and chances are you will be met with a blank look.

Our work: Rebound mattress recycling

31-07-2018 / Consumer goods / Product Stewardship / Work

Find out what we're doing about a recycling programme for the estimated 300,000 mattresses that go to landfill each year.

Put an end to packaging confusion

17-07-2018 / Consumer goods / News

Confused about alternatives to 'traditional' plastic packaging, like biodegradable, degradable and compostable options? Don't worry, help is at hand.

3R Emissions reductions to tackle climate change

Taking a stand on climate change

12-07-2018 / Climate change

3R Group has signed up to the Climate Leaders Coalition, joining a group of businesses dedicated to “forging a path to create a future that is low-emission, positive for our businesses and economy, and inclusive for all New Zealanders”.

Call to end lubricant packaging waste

22-06-2018 / Automotive / Media Releases / Product Stewardship

Major lubricant industry brands are calling on importers and distributors in the market to join them in tackling the issue of millions of lubricant packages being discarded every year.

3R MyHazwaste chemical collection Mark Rose

New service with twice the chemical kick

18-06-2018 / Hazardous waste management

A new chemical collection service has not only seen Palmerston North residents safely dispose of over 800kg of unwanted chemicals for free, but also helped educate them around hazardous waste.

3R SeatSmart child car seat recycling programme manager Toni Bye

Child car seat recycling a sign of the times

8-06-2018 / Automotive / child car seats / recycling

Just a few years ago there weren’t many people who would think it was possible to recycle a child car seat, much less have an option to actually do so.

3R among Enviro-Mark Solutions’ emissions reduction “exemplars”

5-06-2018 / Climate change / News

We are really honoured have have been held up as "exemplars" of emissions reduction by Enviro-Mark Solutions.

Cleaner looking beach still needs a clean-up

28-05-2018 / People and community

With such regular news stories about the huge issue of plastic in the ocean it’s refreshing to find a beach in Hawke’s Bay looking relatively clean.

3R Associate minister for the environment Eugenie Sage

Moves to declare end of life tyres a priority product

18-05-2018 / Automotive / Product Stewardship

New Zealand has edged one step closer to solving its ever-mounting problem with end of life tyres.

Reimagining solutions for recycled paint

16-05-2018 / Circular Economy / Paint and textiles / Product Stewardship

I recently had the opportunity to present on my work around recycled paint at Australia’s leading waste management industry conference, the Coffs Harbour Waste Conference.

3R Huge economic benefit for Auckland from circular economy

Landmark report predicts huge economic benefits from circular economy

10-05-2018 / Circular Economy / Media Releases

A landmark report, supported by 3R Group, has predicted an increase in economic activity for Auckland of up to $8.8 billion should the city move to a low carbon, circular economy. However, as 3R Chief Executive Adele Rose points out it is not only th

Car bumper collection trial wraps up in Christchurch

8-05-2018 / Automotive

A trial collection of car bumpers has diverted over 1 tonne of plastic from landfill in a 4-week period.

Film about thinking global, acting local

7-05-2018 / Events

3R hosted a movie night featuring the Kiwi-made documentary Living the Change, as the first Sustainable Business Network Business Connector event of the year, on April 19. We caught up with the flimmakers Antoinette Wilson and Jordan Osmond. What ins

Case study: Agrecovery

31-03-2018 / Case studies / Primary industries / Product Stewardship

Find out how 3R designed Agrecovery to provide a responsible and sustainable nationwide product stewardship solution for agricultural chemicals and their containers.

3R car bumper recycling trial Craig Pomare and Jeff Strong

Trial aims to kick car bumper waste to the curb

19-03-2018 / Automotive

The practice of sending hundreds of thousands of car bumpers to the dump may become a thing of the past in New Zealand, with work underway to start a recycling programme.

3R Circular economy article in NZ Manufacturer

Spreading the circular economy message

15-03-2018 / Circular Economy

Talking about and promoting the circular economy is something we are really passionate about.

SeatSmart programme expands into Timaru

8-03-2018 / Automotive

The Timaru District Council is among those in Canterbury leading the way with innovative child car seat recycling as four sites become available in the district for people to responsibly dispose of their unwanted seats.

3R Mark Rose of Chemcollect clearing DDT during The Great DDT Muster

Second sweep of The Great DDT Muster gathers pace

19-02-2018 / Hazardous waste management / chemicals / DDT

The Great DDT is gaining momentum as farmers turn over tonnes of their unwanted chemicals for safe disposal. The programme has so far collected some 17 tonnes of banned persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other chemicals from properties in North

SeatSmart expands into Canterbury with seven new sites

1-02-2018 / Automotive

People in Canterbury have even more options for recycling child car seats as seven new sites become available in the region. SeatSmart partnered with the Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils to introduce the new drop-off sites, which sees the to

Carbon credits in a nutshell

12-01-2018 / Climate change

What is a carbon credit? What makes for a credible carbon credit and how does it all work?

3R Seatsmart Wayne Woods and Rachel Brown

Child car seat recycling programme expands into Palmerston North

8-01-2018 / Automotive / child car seats / recycling

Our SeatSmart child car seat recycling programme keeps expanding and we are really pleased to kick 2018 off with a new collection site in the North Island.

3R part of the Circular Economy Accelerator

Partnering to accelerate the New Zealand circular economy

20-12-2017 / Circular Economy

The circular economy is the economy of the future, and 3R Group are proud to have joined as Foundation Partners of the newly launched Circular Economy Accelerator (CEA).

Chemical collections help fund Million Metres Streams planting

19-12-2017 / People and community

Chemical collections - we decided to donate $200 for every tonne of materials collected by our ChemCollect service to a Million Metres Streams Project.

3R leadership team at NZI Sustainable Business Awards 2017

A sustainable partnership for zero waste

11-12-2017 / News / sustainable business awards

The NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards 2017 were once again a great event to be involved with, and we were proud to be an Event Partner for the second year running.

Lucky break keeps dumped chemicals out the bush

30-11-2017 / Hazardous waste management / Media Releases

A case of some lucky coincidence has seen dangerous chemicals removed from the side of a state highway in Waikato after they were illegally dumped.

SeatSmart celebrates 6000th seat

29-11-2017 / Automotive / child car seats / recycling

The 3R run SeatSmart child car seat recycling programme reached an exciting milestone when we collected our 6000th seat last month.

3R Great DDT Muster collection in Hawke's Bay

Great DDT Muster off to a weighty start

20-11-2017 / Hazardous waste management / chemicals / DDT

The collection of 2.3 tonnes of banned and highly toxic pesticides from a single farm continues to surprise, 3R Group ChemCollect manager says.

Making the most of adaptive reuse

1-11-2017 / Construction and demolition / Events

Upcycling isn’t restricted to things you can hold in your hands – the idea can be applied to entire buildings.

Waste assessment helps understand the problem

19-10-2017 / Compliance and certification / Waste reduction / waste / waste assessment / waste reduction

Our waste minimisation expert Dominic Salmon recently completed a waste assessment for the Gisborne District Council, which garnered great feedback.

Building a circular economy

17-10-2017 / Events

In order to move forward we need to start going around in circles. Such is the thinking behind a circular economy.

Annual beach clean-up at Haumoana

6-10-2017 / People and community / beach cleanup

What do you expect to find on a beach? Sand, rocks, seaweed and the smell of fresh, salty air? Sadly this isn’t always the case.

Increasing the waste levy – cut waste and create jobs

3-07-2017 / Policy, regulation and legislation / Waste reduction / waste levy

The report “A Wasted Opportunity” released today by the New Zealand Waste Levy Action Group recommends broadening and raising the levy charged on all waste sent to landfill.

3R Tyrewise tyre recycling project manager Adele Rose

Tyre recycling initiatives welcomed

22-06-2017 / Automotive / recycling / tyre recycling

Recycling specialists 3R Group are welcoming today’s announcement from the Minister for the Environment of $18.6 million in funding for used tyre recycling initiatives. “There is no doubt that this is a positive step forward in dealing with the m

3R Volunteers at Nourished for Nil in Hawke's Bay

Waste not, want not

2-06-2017 / People and community / food waste / waste reduction

When it comes to minimising food waste we can all do our part; shop smart, only cook as much as you need and eat leftovers, among other things.

Weighty issue of food waste

2-06-2017 / Waste reduction / food waste / waste / waste reduction

Food is one of our biggest expenses, but every year we literally throw away $872 million worth.

From builder to specialty bread baker

1-06-2017 / People and community

Oh My Goodness Speciality Breads - waste is something baker Scott cannot abide, plus the bread is simply too good not to use, he says.

Twelve years of partnering with Resene

1-06-2017 / Paint and textiles / Product Stewardship

3R Group have been partnering with Resene for 12 years, operationally managing Resene PaintWise and finding innovative uses for paint.

Leading the Way

1-06-2017 / News

We're pretty honoured to be featured as one of the ten, in BusinessNZ's "Leading the Way" publication.

Kick starting the circular economy

25-05-2017 / Circular Economy

Typically, councils in New Zealand only manage around 30% of the waste stream and that tends to be waste produced by householders.

Video – helping New Zealand reach zero waste by 2050

20-05-2017 / News

We were delighted to be asked by BusinessNZ to be part of a series of videos showcasing New Zealand businesses who are making a difference.

Circular Economy – the time to Act is now!

19-05-2017 / Circular Economy / circular economy / funding

Councils play a pivotal role in developing the Circular Economy and this article provides tips on how to fund it.

Circular Economy – which city will be first?

9-05-2017 / Circular Economy

The term “circular economy” has been around for quite some time now, particular in the waste and resource recovery sectors but for many it’s still a foreign concept.

Case study: Waste assessments

31-03-2017 / Case studies / Primary industries / Waste reduction

Find out how we helped four very different organisations assess their waste and identify how to reduce it.

20 years and still waiting…

25-03-2017 / Policy, regulation and legislation / Waste reduction / data / waste / waste reduction

The latest OECD environment report cites lack of New Zealand waste data in 1996, 2006 and again in the latest report.

3R Group ChemCollect chemical collection service

3R – e-news Mar17 – Taking the pain out of chemical collection

23-03-2017 / Hazardous waste management

Introducing ChemCollect! Through our previous work in chemical stewardship and collection, we know there is always a small percentage of chemicals in circulation that, for whatever reason, are not used or sold for their intended purpose. Not to menti

Planting for the future

3-03-2017 / People and community

A recent crowdfunding initiative through the Million Metres Streams project saw $25,000 raised. This equates to 4,500 native plants and trees.

3R Group Mangarara Station Greg and Rachel Hart

Letting nature take the lead

3-03-2017 / People and community

A partnership with the Million Metres Streams Project successfully raised over $30,000 to plant a riparian margin at Mangarara Station.

The State of the Sustainable Nation

19-12-2016 / News

“Sustainable business” is a familiar concept to many, but what’s it like to work at the green coal-face in New Zealand?

Our work: SeatSmart child car seat recycling

30-11-2016 / Consumer goods / Product Stewardship / Work

SeatSmart gives consumers a simple user-pays nationwide recycling programme for child car seats. We continue to work with industry to make SeatSmart a voluntary product stewardship programme.

Sponsoring zero waste

22-11-2016 / Events / News

SBN Awards 2016 - 3R partnered with SBN, Green Shoot Pacific and The Great Catering Company to deliver a zero waste event.

3R on Nine to Noon

6-10-2016 / News / Paint and textiles

Catch up on our latest discussion with Kathryn Ryan on RNZ's Nine to Noon.

Stewardship specialists reject call for container deposit scheme

3-08-2016 / Consumer goods / Media Releases

3R Group say the focus should be on products that have no recycling options, not products with relatively high recycling rates.

3R Cows FlashMate heat detection waste reduction

One of our more unusual projects – FlashMate®

1-08-2016 / Product Stewardship

There is no limit to the type of product for which 3R is asked to find a recycling solution - Gallagher's Flashmate® was an unusual one.

Finding answers with Westland Milk Products

14-07-2016 / Product Stewardship / Waste reduction

Westland Milk Products sells to some of the world’s biggest companies and they ask tricky sustainability questions - we help answer them.

3R Interns Ben Morrison and Ashley Burns

Internship at 3R

30-06-2016 / People and community

National Expedition and Internship is a six week programme for US undergraduates with students interned at 3R Group.

Idealog feature: 3R Group

4-04-2016 / News / mattresses / product stewardship / recycling / waste reduction

3R's Chief Executive, Adele Rose, speaks to Idealog about what’s involved setting up schemes such as Rebound Mattress Recycling.

3R Group Sustainable Development Report 2014-15

Our road to sustainability

11-02-2016 / News

With a national presence and a broad range of waste-to-resource services, 3R Group is at the forefront of enabling economic benefit from resource recovery in New Zealand.

3R Good Friday Leave for community work, personal development

“Good Friday” leave helps HB athletics

14-01-2016 / People and community

Since its inception, 3R has been committed to support our staff and local community.

Not to be repeated in modern times

22-12-2015 / News

A article recently appeared in the Hawke's Bay Today, documenting the fascinating career of John Stace, 3R shareholder and deputy chair.

3R Rob Yarrall National Aquarium of New Zealand

Not your everyday recycling

20-12-2015 / Sustainability projects / Waste reduction

When the National Aquarium of New Zealand upgraded their filter system, they turned to local experts 3R Group to recycle 40 cubic metres of obsolete plastic.

3R runner-up in SBN Awards

24-11-2015 / News

3R were delighted to receive a commendation in the Auckland Council Mega Efficiency Impact Award last night at the 2015 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards.

Business supports ambitious global climate agreement

12-11-2015 / Climate change

Business has a clear plan for how it will lead on climate change over the next five years, according to the Sustainable Business Council.

3R Resene paint and packaging takeback programme PaintWise

Enduring success recognised for Resene PaintWise

13-10-2015 / Paint and textiles

Resene PaintWise has received praise from the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) for ongoing waste reduction.

3R The Great DDT Muster chemical collection

WasteMINZ Awards for Excellence finalists

8-10-2015 / Hazardous waste management / News

This year, for the very first time, WasteMINZ have introduced the WasteMINZ Awards for Excellence.

3R Granulator for processing plastic for recycling

Feed the Machine!

7-10-2015 / News

3R Group are proud to announce the arrival of our latest plastic processing unit, affectionately known as "The Granulator". Feed the machine!

Local funding brings SeatSmart to Christchurch

6-10-2015 / Automotive / child car seats

The SeatSmart child car seat recycling programme is opening in Christchurch thanks to support from Canterbury’s Sustainable Initiatives Fund Trust (SIFT).

3R Rebound mattress recycling dismantling trial

Fresh bounce for old mattresses

17-09-2015 / Consumer goods / Product Stewardship / mattresses / recycling

Everyday items only represent the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we could (and should) be recycling rather than sending to landfill.

Redefine – love your op shop

7-09-2015 / People and community

3R were proud sponsors of the Redefine - love your op shop event held at East Pier this last weekend.

On the road with MP Jo Hayes

5-08-2015 / News

In July 3R Group hosted MP Jo Hayes (National list MP) as part of a three day Business Study Programme through the NZ Business and Parliament Trust.

3R Tyrewise road has been long and winding

Tyres – the long and winding road

9-07-2015 / Automotive / tyre recycling / tyres

A recent Tyre Industry Summit, focusing on end-of-life tyres, demonstrated industry willingness to drive positive change, and asks government to come along for the ride.

Going green makes dollars and sense – Idealog feature

27-05-2015 / News

Our CEO, Adele Rose, talks to Idealog magazine about how many companies want to keep it green, but are in the dark about the actual cost efficiencies that can be achieved.

3R TyreWise millions of tires reach end of life annually

Collaboration required on tyre solution

18-05-2015 / Automotive / recycling / tyre recycling / tyres

New Zealand’s track record with end-of-life tyres is littered with good intentions, dubious science and failed investments.

Problems turn into solutions at 3R: SeatSmart

4-05-2015 / Automotive / child car seats / recycling / waste reduction

3R's project manager Michelle Duncan answers a few questions about our latest programme, SeatSmart.

A three pronged approach

29-04-2015 / Product Stewardship

The future of product stewardship in New Zealand as I see it is a place where stewardship is the norm, not the exception; where end-of-life considerations for the impacts on human and environmental harm sit at the beginning of the design process, not

3R The Great DDT Muster banned chemicals collection

Banned pesticides get free muster thanks to 3R project

16-04-2015 / Hazardous waste management

3R Group has secured funding to support a nationwide collection to rid New Zealand of banned pesticides known to be stored on rural properties despite being phased out decades ago.

3R Group – 2020 Vision

23-03-2015 / News

We believe the business models using resources most efficiently to meet their customer’s expectations are the ones which will remain competitive in tomorrow’s markets.

CEMARS certification for 3R Group

9-03-2015 / Compliance and certification

In late February, following a 5 month process, 3R was delighted to become CEMARS certified, a standard that sits very comfortably alongside our ISO 14001 Environmental certification.

SeatSmart in Revolve magazine

2-12-2014 / Automotive / News

The SeatSmart project featured in the December edition of Revolve, the magazine of WasteMINZ, the largest representative body of the waste and resource recovery sector in New Zealand.

3R Electronics e-waste product stewardship

E-waste – it won’t go away by itself…

20-11-2014 / Product Stewardship / e-waste / product stewardship / recycling

This week saw the final day to submit feedback on the E-Waste Product Stewardship Preliminary Report.

Tyre recycling, let’s not wait…

13-11-2014 / Automotive / tyre recycling / tyres

At the end of October 3R Group Director Graeme Norton attended the 2014 Rubber Recycling Symposium in Montreal.

Waste Tyres economic research

12-11-2014 / Automotive / Product Stewardship

3R has partnered with KPMG to deliver a project for the Ministry for the Environment, building on the Tyrewise reports to recommend an investment strategy for on-shore end-of-life tyre (ELT) processing.

The Block 3R style

23-10-2014 / Events

This week our team got together to recharge the batteries and set the scene for our next year or two of work.

3R Collaboration is key to sustainability success

LGNZ Manifesto 2014: Our Seven Strategic Policy Priorities

17-09-2014 / News

It was fantastic to read the LGNZ Manifesto 2014: Our Seven Strategic Policy Priorities recently released by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ).

3R Independent Chair of the Board Liz Read

Liz Read named as 3R’s Independent Chair

28-08-2014 / News

Leading corporate affairs practitioner and experienced director Liz Read has been elected Independent Chair of 3R Group’s Board.

3R Tyres Consumers happy to pay levy to recycle tyres

Disposal fees find support with Kiwis

8-08-2014 / Automotive / tyre recycling / tyres / waste reduction

A new survey shows more than half of car tyre purchasers would be prepared to pay a levy to assist in the environmentally friendly disposal of tyres.

A bold new vision for 3R Group

7-08-2014 / News

Over the last year, we’ve refocused and are now embarking on a nationwide re-launch of our brand and capabilities.

3R Stewardship of agricultural chemicals

Agrichemicals review for agri chemicals stewardship

10-06-2014 / Hazardous waste management

3R Group Ltd worked with industry stakeholders to conduct a review that provides recommendations for a nationwide and industry wide product stewardship programme for agricultural chemicals and their associated containers.

From our partners

The research and analysis conducted by 3R was robust and supported a good discussion in Villa Maria about the future of packaging. It also helped us in a collaborative workstream with our customer and suppliers and has really prompted an innovative, forward thinking mindset.

Karen Titulaer
Head of Legal, Risk and Sustainability, Villa Maria Estate Ltd

View full case Study

3R have been instrumental in streamlining our strategy, governance, and grant funding process. Their understanding of product stewardship and ability to bring stakeholders together has been of critical importance in this changing regulatory environment.

Karen Titulaer
Glass Packaging Forum Steering Committee Chair
(Head of Legal, Risk and Sustainability, Villa Maria Estate Ltd)

View full case Study

3R are experts in managing conflicts of interest and drawing companies together to find solutions we can all work with. Companies also gain confidence from knowing their industry scheme has been designed to best practice, particularly in terms of governance and transparency.

John Bowen
Chair & Director, Refrigerant Recovery NZ
(Synthetic Refrigerant Stewardship Project)

View the project

3R make it possible for Dulux to recycle much of our post consumer product, which enables us to take greater responsibility for the full life cycle of our products. They are proactive and manage things smoothly while suggesting ways to improve.

Murray C Gray
Dulux National Trade Stores Manager

View full case Study

The consultation before and after was really helpful for us to set a benchmark going forward. The team from 3R Group was brilliant to deal with, nothing was too difficult for Jason and his team.

Gregor Inger
Brebner Print Estimating/Purchasing Manager

View full case study

Without 3R’s professionalism, expertise, dedication and innovation these rural recycling programmes wouldn’t be as successful as they are.

Lew Metcalfe
Agricultural Policy & Sustainability Advisor and former Agrecovery Chairman

View full case study

3R (MyHazWaste) has been our hazardous household waste drop-off event contractor for the past 3 years - providing an effective solution in registering and organising a drop off day for residents for the proper treatment and disposal of household chemicals.

Kian Lee
Infrastructure Sustainability Co-ordinator,
Palmerston North City Council

View full case study

Having 3R as project manager was critical to ensure that we were designing a scheme that was fit for purpose but also future proofed. 3R’s knowledge of the regulatory environment gave me confidence that the proposed scheme would not only be operationally sound but meet best-practice guidelines for regulated product stewardship.

Bob Foothead
Total Oil NZ Ltd

View the project

There isa better way.

Reduce yourenvironmental impact.

Become (more)sustainable.

Less waste,better outcomes.

We make sustainability happen.

Your sustainability experts

Product stewardship

Hazardous waste management

Sustainability projects

Waste assessment

Compliance and certification

Support for the circular economy

Product stewardship is the cornerstone of the circular economy. We’ve supported many clients to design, develop and operate product stewardship schemes that contribute to ciruclar solutions.

ChemCollect

Are you looking for a safe collection service for hazardous chemicals? Our qualified staff and chemical disposal solutions make it easier to keep your people and the environment safe.

The latest news

Will we see sustainable packaging promises met by 2025?

MyHazWaste event rated a success by Waipā community

Case study: Visy Recycling

You don’t have to be a big business to be a climate action leader

Let’s talk construction and demolition waste (reduction)

Chemical collection and disposal – from start to finish

Trailblazing regulated stewardship in New Zealand

Holistic approach crucial to sustainability success

Are we about to see NZ’s turning point in the war on waste?

Leading kids into the House of Science

Case study: Palmerston North City Council MyHazWaste

Getting your sustainability projects off the line

Sustainable is attainable in Hawke’s Bay

Our work: Tyrewise, NZ’s first regulated product stewardship scheme

Taking the health and safety high road

Hazardous substances should never be ‘out of sight out of mind’

Will sustainability strides of 2021 continue in 2022?

Responsibility for hazardous substances doesn’t end when they go out the door

NZ’s big green, carbon eating machine (not trees)

Risk and Reward: Why do a sustainable development report?

The other half of NZ’s waste problem

Bold, new Government waste strategy will affect everyone

We did it – New Zealand gets its first regulated stewardship scheme

A must read if you make, sell or import products in New Zealand

Case study: Villa Maria

Are you ready for Gov’s proposed new waste strategy?

Gov lays out national action plan for tackling plastic

Can we climb the sustainability ladder?

Case study: Glass Packaging Forum

Design – the genesis of a circular economy

Take a deep dive before you jump into fibre packaging

Our work: Synthetic refrigerant co-design project

A golden opportunity ripe for the taking

Label your packaging for sustainability

Don’t muck up your compostable packaging

Finding the sustainable packaging sweet spot

The time for your business to tackle plastic is now

Hawke’s Bay could lead the way in low-carbon transport

Plastic packaging regulation is coming, are you ready?

How the cost of waste will change New Zealand for the better

Paint and packaging industry get around the stewardship table

Our work: Lubricant containers scheme design

Climate Action HB workshop success highlights sustainability focus

Child car seat recycling now in Central Otago

Dismantle a child car seat – how hard can it be?

Child car seat recycling helps lift youth employment

Product stewardship – what does success look like?

Why I’m celebrating the government’s latest announcement on waste

3R Group CE speaks at priority product announcement

Game-changing Government announcement in the war on waste

Resene PaintWise™ welcomes Minister’s priority product announcement

Project to tackle synthetic greenhouse gases wraps up

Waste levy increase a big step, but just the first

Pull the plug on inefficiency, not sustainability

A look at the future of work

The time for sustainability is now

ChemCollect helps plant trees in our back yard

Case study: Dulux paint and packaging takeback scheme

How to start your journey of climate change action

Businesses, councils unite on climate action in Hawke’s Bay

Our work: paint and packaging product stewardship

New campaign to help businesses take more responsibility for what they make

Minister’s priority product announcement “groundbreaking”

Banned firefighting foam cleared from New Zealand airports

There is
a better way.

Reduce your
environmental impact.

Become (more)
sustainable.

Less waste,
better outcomes.