Action on child restraints in cars

A project has been launched to reduce the number of car restraints for children going to landfill sites and improving road safety through properly disposing old ones. About 40,000 units will expire this year with landfill being the main destination for them. But funding has now come from Auckland Council, The Baby Factory, Baby on the Move, The Warehouse and project leader 3R Group – with Plunket, the NZTA, a plastics processor and other importers getting involved. 3R Group has initiated the project as part of its work in designing ways for businesses to help customers responsibly dispose of used products and packaging. It’s also involved in the product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres. Its research shows more than 330,000kg of waste material from expired child restraints is generated each year. Placed side by side, that’s the length of 175 rugby fields. Project manager Michelle Duncan says there are less-than-ideal outcomes for the restraints, which are required by law for under seven-year-olds. “Widespread recycling doesn’t exist for them, so presently owners should be sending them to landfill. “However, research and anecdotal evidence shows that while a large number end up in landfill, there’s a second-hand market for restraints and large numbers are stored in garages or sheds.” The project’s other aspect is child safety. Research shows correctly used and approved restraints and safety belts reduce the risk of death in a crash by as much as 70 per cent for infants and 54 per cent for toddlers. “Some people use restraints after expiry because of a lack of understanding that exposure to sunlight, changes in temperature and stress caused by accidents can damage the plastic.” The scheme will investigate the extent of disposal problems, and the use of fire retardants in components that could affect recycling. There will be a collection and processing trial, and the project will look at what kind of product stewardship programme will offer the best outcome. “It’s not as simple as collecting seats, pulling them apart and sending the pieces off for recycling,” says Duncan. “We’re involved because there are barriers to recycling restraints through traditional routes. We’ll be looking at all options and expect to find a solution that can turn this waste product into raw materials that can be used again.” She says consumers are likely to become more familiar with the product stewardship as the government encourages businesses to take more responsibility for their products at the end of their useful lives. “Child car restraints are ideal products for product stewardship, which can solve two key problems. The first is customers and what they can do with expired restraints, and the second is for New Zealand by diverting waste from landfill and recovering recyclables.” 3R hopes the project will be completed by September. To be kept informed of progress, you can register your interest by emailing info@3R.co.nz.