Today marks an incredibly special moment for us at RTL! After years of determination, countless trials, and a fair share of machinery-jamming surprises, we're thrilled to announce our Better Cone Recycling programme - New Zealand's first made-in-NZ recycled cone solution! The timing couldn't be more perfect as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of launching our Sustainability strategy.  Read all about it here in our GM’s letter to the industry;

Buy Better Cones Online       Better Cone - Recycling Information       Cone Recycling Request Form        RTL Sustainability Page

Dear Valued Customer,

We’re thrilled to introduce the Better Cone recycling programme—New Zealand’s first closed-loop solution for road cones!

It’s been a longer road than we expected (pun intended!), with a few speedbumps along the way. From cones returning from the field caked in bitumen, embedded with gravel, or—unbelievably—containing a steel base coated in PVC, we’ve had our fair share of “you’re kidding!” moments. And yes, those kinds of surprises can quite literally bring recycling machinery to a grinding halt.

Each trial brought new lessons—whether it was fine-tuning our equipment, improving the quality of recycled materials, or making sure our iconic orange stays reliably bright. Then, just as we were perfecting the process, road cones suddenly became the centre of national attention. The irony wasn’t lost on us: “Fantastic,” we laughed, “we’ve spent years figuring out how to recycle the one thing most Kiwis love to hate!”

That moment forced us to ask the hard questions: should we invest so heavily in a product that’s become a symbol of frustration? But the answer became clear. If cones are here to stay—for the sake of road safety—then they should be made responsibly, with the lightest possible footprint. And while RTL doesn’t control how or where cones are used, we are absolutely committed to making them better.

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. And no, there’s no greenwashing here—just good Kiwi ingenuity and a lot of persistence.

Now, we’d love for you to be part of it. Through the Better Cone programme, we’ll collect and recycle cones from any manufacturer (so long as they don’t wreck the machinery!) and work together to reduce our industry’s impact on the environment.

Email marketing@rtl.co.nz to register your interest in visiting the facility and see the magic in action. We can't wait to show you what we’ve built—and to work alongside you in creating a smarter, more sustainable future for road safety.

Best regards,
Joanne McMahon
General Manager - RTL

• Joanne McMahon: Letter to the Industry PDF
• Better Cone with Premium Cone Collars
• Better Cone with Standard Cone Collars
• Better Cone Recycling Programme
• Better Cone Brochure & Cone Criteria Guide PDF
• RTL Sustainability Page

Think of it this way FOR EVERY 1000 cones you recycle through the Better programme, you keep approx. 5MT out of NZ landfills. Together, we are creating a circular economy closed loop system that keeps cones out of landfills while supporting local manufacturing jobs.

 Why this Partnership works for Everyone

• Environmental Win: Cones stay out of landfill and are transformed into other products
• Economic Win: Save $1.50 per cone in landfill fees
• Business Win: Access locally manufactured, cones made from recycled materials that support your sustainability goals
• New Zealand Win: Building a true circular economy right here at home

Call our Team at RTL for more information on the Better Cones and the Cone Recycling Programme.