Phoenix & ecotricity

PARTNERSHIP

What powers a truly circular future? At Phoenix, it’s not just what we recycle, it’s how we do it.

That’s why all Phoenix Recycling sites across Aotearoa are now powered by 100% renewable energy from Ecotricity. As New Zealand’s only Toitū climate-positive certified electricity provider*, Ecotricity is helping us cut emissions, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and bring our zero-waste mission full circle.

Together, we’re showing that clean power and closed-loop recycling go hand in hand, and that the path to sustainability starts with the energy behind it.

(*As of July 2025)

WHO IS
ECOTRICITY?

Behind every switch flicked at a Phoenix site is a deeper choice: a decision to power progress with purpose.

Founded 12 years ago by Al and Mark Yates, Ecotricity set out to become New Zealand’s most sustainable electricity retailer, and they’re delivering on that goal. As Aotearoa’s only Toitū climate-positive certified electricity retailer, Ecotricity is doing things differently. They’re also the first and only retailer in NZ to have both their organisation and products certified as Climate Positive by Toitū.

Ecotricity only purchases generation from wind, hydro and solar, backed by Toitū climate-positive certification. No grey areas. Just clean electricity you can trace. In fact, around 70% of their residential and SME customers have solar installations, supported by some of the highest solar buy-back rates in the country.

“We’re not here to greenwash,” says Josephine Rudkin-Binks, Ecotricity’s Head of Sustainability and Engagement. “We’re here to disrupt the status quo and offer power that’s genuinely clean, traceable, and future-focused.”

That transparency is a big deal for companies like Phoenix, who want confidence that their Scope 2 emissions reductions are the real thing. It’s about knowing where your power comes from and knowing it’s making a difference. Ecotricity supports that accountability with transparent carbon tracking and monthly emissions data via Power BI, giving customers like Phoenix the tools to monitor and prove their impact.

And Ecotricity doesn’t stop at net zero. Their climate-positive status means they offset 125% of their Scope 1 and 2 emissions, while also backing regeneration efforts here in New Zealand. Trees in the ground. Nature restored. Not just cleaner power, but a cleaner future.

WHY ECOTRICITY
WAS THE RIGHT FIT

“When we set out to cut our energy-related emissions, we didn’t want just a green label,” says Hilary West-Reeve, Phoenix Recycling’s Sustainability Lead. “We wanted a genuine partner. One that shared our commitment to transparency, traceability, and real impact. Ecotricity stood out immediately.

Our relationship was sparked through shared values and a connection via Toitū Envirocare, a natural meeting point for two organisations committed to verified sustainability.

Ecotricity is Toitū climate-positive certified, open about their generation sources, and 100% renewable. That level of transparency and credibility matters to us. We manage thousands of tonnes of materials every week, so if we’re saying we’re doing better for the planet, we need every part of the system to back it up.

That’s what Ecotricity brings. We know exactly where our energy comes from, whether it’s wind from the South Island or solar feeding the grid. It’s traceable, auditable, and aligned with how we already operate across recycling, logistics, and recovery.”

ENERGY IN THE
CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Recycling takes energy. A lot of it. From high-powered machinery to site operations, the footprint can add up fast. That’s why switching to Toitū climate-positive certified electricity was essential.

With Ecotricity powering our sites, we’re cutting emissions from the inside out. The materials we recover already avoid landfills and reduce production emissions, but now, the process itself is cleaner, too.

As Josephine puts it: “There’s no point creating circular material flows if the energy that powers them is still dirty. Energy is the invisible part of the loop, and it matters just as much.”

LEADING BY
EXAMPLE TODAY

We believe businesses can move faster than policy, and it’s on us to lead where we can. That’s why we didn’t wait for legislation to start lowering our Scope 2 emissions. We just got on with it.

“Businesses can act fast. They don’t need to wait for the law to catch up. And when they lead, others follow,” says Josephine. A mindset that mirrors our own. By switching to renewable electricity before it becomes legislation, we’re showing other industries that it’s doable. It’s a big shift, but it doesn’t have to be a hard one.

SUSTAINABILITY
STRATEGY & TRACKING

Cutting emissions is one thing. Tracking them is where the real accountability kicks in. That’s why Ecotricity gives its clients monthly updates on energy use, CO₂ savings, and emission factors, which naturally shift with the seasons.

It’s not just helpful, it’s critical. This data feeds straight into our carbon reporting and supports our Toitū certification process. It means we’re not just saying we’re sustainable, we’ve got the numbers to show it. This tracking helps businesses grow without growing their emissions.

POWERING
WHAT’S POSSIBLE
WITH ECOTRICITY

This collaboration with Ecotricity is just a starting point. By powering our operations with Toitū climate-positive certified electricity, we’ve taken a big step toward decarbonising the recycling process. But we know there’s still plenty of room to grow.

We’re also thinking beyond our own footprint. As more customers prioritise sustainability, they want to know the impact of their choices, right down to the carbon profile of their recyclers. With Ecotricity’s verified sourcing and data capabilities, we’re working to provide that level of traceability. Circularity shouldn’t be a black box. Once you can see and understand it, everyone can make better, more informed decisions.

As Josephine puts it: “We’re just at the beginning of building circularity into the energy system. Phoenix is one of those early movers helping shape how that looks.”

That vision stretches far beyond the meter box. Ecotricity’s goal is for New Zealand to be 100% renewable by 2030, and 110% by 2035, creating surplus energy for export and strengthening the grid for everyone.

“If we want a low-carbon future, it starts with infrastructure, electricity, transport, and recycling. These are the systems that need to shift first because they enable everything else.” When your power source matches your purpose, you don’t just reduce emissions. You raise the bar for what’s possible.”