Your coffee cup needs a climate rating, too

Your coffee cup needs a climate rating, too
Many recyclers can't process paperboard cups if they contain plastic. (Image: Bloomberg)
Bloomberg
By David Fickling Here’s a quick game for the climate-conscious. Try ranking these disposable beverage containers from least to most environmentally friendly: aluminium; glass; paperboard; plastic bottle; plastic pouch.★Unless you’re an expert in the subject, it’s likely that your answers are a long way from reality. That’s a problem. Packaging is a US$1 trillion (NZ$1.68t) market that generates hundreds of millions of tonnes of waste every year – but our ideas about it are often based more on hunches tha...

More Environment

Breakthrough could end NZ’s hazardous medical waste exports
Environment

Breakthrough could end NZ’s hazardous medical waste exports

The first low-emissions processing plant is expected to start up in Auckland next year.

Greg Hurrell 27 Aug 2025
Think like a forest and save billions of dollars
Environment

Think like a forest and save billions of dollars

A new half-hour documentary makes the case for native reforestation.

Greg Hurrell 22 Aug 2025
Got $50m? Help rebuild Scott Base
Infrastructure

Got $50m? Help rebuild Scott Base

Antarctica NZ is seeking private funds, and the UAE is touted as a possible source.

Oliver Lewis 21 Aug 2025
Inside Goodnature's 'world-leading' trap factory
Environment

Inside Goodnature's 'world-leading' trap factory

Goodnature CEO Shoemack wants to "flip the industry upside down".

Gregor Thompson 13 Aug 2025