48984 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education

48984 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education: What percentage, if any, of the aluminum meal trays used in the School Lunch Collective external model have been disposed in landfill?

Hon David Seymour: I am advised by the Ministry of Education that since July 2025, the surplus meals and returned containers collected in Auckland, Waikato, and recently the Bay of Plenty (54% of the total number of meals nationally) have been in storage and recycling of trays is expected to start on Monday 20 October. The collection of trays for recycling will also be explored in other regions. In the interim, trays in the remaining regions (46% of the total since July) are currently disposed in landfill. At beginning of the school year, Libelle managed recycling of trays for the School Lunch Collective. Between mid-March and July, trays were disposed in landfill while Compass procured the services of the recycling facility. This is also my response to written parliamentary and 48985 (2025).