‘Where does it go?’: Judge questions if burning plastic differs from landfill dumping

Shannon PitmanOpen Justice multimedia journalist, Whangārei·NZ Herald·14 Jun, 2026 01:47 AM6 mins to read‌Warren Sinclair has been operating a plastic-burning business from his site in Whangarei. Photo / NZME

11th July 2023 Photo Tania WhyteA judge has questioned what meaningful difference there is between burning plastic in a pyrolysis unit and sending it to landfill, as he heard allegations against a man running a plastic-burning plant without the required consent.

Environment Court Judge Jeff Smith questioned where New Zealand’s recycled plastic goes, suggesting most