Put a message in a bottle

After years of pressure from the environmental movement, the Government agreed to introduce a beverage Container Return Scheme (CRS) to help manage single-use plastic waste better. But earlier this year, PM Chris Hipkins announced the scheme would be deferred to an undetermined date.

Send a message in a bottle today and tell Chris Hipkins to put the CRS back on track!

An easy step-by-step guide to send a message in a bottle to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1

Find an empty plastic bottle. It might be litter from the side of the road or the beach, or you can get it out of your recycling. 

Step 2

Clean your bottle.

Step 3

Crush your bottle so it is no thicker than 20mm and put it in an envelope (use an old envelope if possible, or make your own out of recycled paper).

Step 4

Place your “message” into the envelope telling PM Chris Hipkins why you want to bring back the Container Return Scheme. Then place it in your envelope, along with your bottle and address it to PM Chris Hipkins at Parliament (FreePost).

PM Hon Chris HipkinsFreePost Parliament
Private Bag 18888
Parliament Buildings
Wellington 6160

Step 5

Put it in the post box! No need for a stamp – this item is free to post to Parliament.


And then, take a photo holding your message in a bottle, and share on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with #BringBackCRS