The Government has set up a taskforce to deal with the greater than expected impact of China's ban on mixed recycling.

China stopped importing recyclable materials last year, affecting many countries around the world, including Australia.

New Zealand had been sending 15 million kilograms of recyclables that we can't process here, to China each year. 

Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage says small stockpiles have been building around the country, and it's clear the situation is not sustainable.

She says the taskforce will lead a coordinated response together with waste and business sectors, to find a solution.

Newstalk ZB caller, Craig, rang in and talked to Andrew Dickens about the difficulties New Zealand faces in dealing with our ever-expanding recyclable waste, and possible solutions.

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