The HEB Sustainability and Environmental teams recently visited Proline to see first-hand how RTL’s BETTER Cone Recycling initiative is transforming old cones into a sustainable, circular solution for road safety - a step forward for temporary traffic management in New Zealand.

Last week, members of HEB’s Sustainability and Environmental teams joined us at Proline for a BETTER Cone factory tour. The team got to see first-hand how old cones are returned, chipped up, and transformed into the BETTER Cone.

The 30-minute tour, led by Cameron Smith (General Manager Proline Plastics), covered the entire process - from recycling and manufacturing through to colour, compliance, the challenges overcome, and the improvements made since launching back in August (2025). The team were particularly impressed to learn that any cones that didn’t pass quality control weren’t wasted but simply re-processed and recycled back into production - keeping every bit of material in use.

Kate Chivers, HEB’s Sustainability Project Lead, said:

“It’s fantastic to see the team so energised by the tour. Cones are used daily by our crews, and seeing a local supplier operating with a true circular economy is something to get excited about. Proline is really pushing the boat out in building a sustainable factory with a strong purpose. Here’s to the humble cone! Thank you, RTL.”

The HEB team were fully engaged throughout, with Johnny and Talei proudly representing RTL. The visit was a great opportunity to share knowledge, explore new ideas, and work together in a shared commitment to building safer, more sustainable roads across Aotearoa.

Launched in August 2025, The Better Cone 2:1 recycling programme is New Zealand’s first closed-loop solution for road cones. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved: a genuinely sustainable process that diverts materials from landfill, supports local manufacturing, and delivers cones that meet the highest safety standards. FOR EVERY 1000 cones that is recycled through the Better programme, approx. 5MT of cones are kept out of NZ landfills. Together with the Industry, RTL are creating a circular economy closed loop system that keeps cones out of landfills while supporting local manufacturing jobs.

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