MEO New Zealand Mask Recycling Programme

MEO’s Disposable Mask Recycling Programme was launched nationwide in New Zealand to reduce the number of disposable face masks entering the marine environment and landfills.

This initiative, a partnership with Kiwi plastic recycling company, aims to reduce the number of disposable face masks from landfills and waterways by 50% by the end of 2023.

Our goal is not to solve this major issue by ourselves, but to raise awareness domestically, and to create a snowball effect so government and other enterprises join us on this journey to reduce our environmental impact.

Programme timeline

Stage 1 - Sept to Oct 2022
Direct to consumer campaign - Every household is entitled to claim one free courier bag that has been pre-paid and labelled, which can fit 100-120 disposable masks depending on size and shape. 

Stage 2 - Oct 2022 onwards
Consumers can drop off used disposable face masks at designated collection points, operated in partnership with local businesses.

How this works - Stage 1

Our programme accepts disposable masks from any brand and is available to households and businesses across New Zealand, subject to our approval. * 

1. If you do not have an existing sales order to be fulfilled, please order a postage-paid, pre-addressed A4 courier bag from our website (meoair.com). You only need to pay a nominal courier fee of $3 to have this bag posted to you. Click here to add courier bag to your order.

2. If you are going to place a sales order on our website and want a courier bag for mask recycling, please simply add the courier bag to your cart and our team will send it out to you along with your order. Click here to add courier bag to your order.

3. Collect your used disposable masks and place in the courier bag we sent you. We accept disposable masks from any brand.

4. Once the bag is full (approx.100-120 masks), seal the bag securely and book the courier for free pick up (as per instructions in the courier bag) to send them to our nominated facility.

The disposable masks will be quarantined, manually sorted and recycled into BioGro certified fence posts for domestic and export markets.

Terms and conditions:

  • We cannot recycle reusable fabric masks made from natural fibres. Natural fibres will break down over time by themselves.
  • We cannot accept face masks from hospitals and medical facilities producing biohazardous medical waste.
  • We accept applications from commercial businesses on a case-by-case basis. 
  • We reserve the right to amend the terms of this programme at any time.

How this works - Stage 2

Physical drop offs:
We are currently looking for national retail partners with a physical presence who are keen to work with us by hosting physical drop off bins. If your business is interested in joining our partnership programme, please fill out the form below to register your interest and our team will be in touch with you to discuss more details.

For business customer