Packaging NZ has welcomed a report about the new plastics economy that recognises the importance of plastic packaging as well as the need for clear and coordinated policy, regulation and incentives.

Packaging NZ – the peak body for the packaging sector – says Scion’s Making Zero the Hero report, released today, is noteworthy because it puts the onus on both the packaging producer and the consumer.

President Harry Burkhardt said successive governments have dealt with the packaging industry as primarily a waste producer.

“Through this approach, we seem to have forgotten the role packaging plays in New Zealand’s social and economic fabric – packaging underpins our export economy, packaging prolongs the life of food, packaging provides the hygiene and sanitation standards that Kiwis quite rightly expect,” Mr Burkhardt said.

“We’re pleased to see a report that provides a much more balanced perspective of the role consumers, government and business will have to play if we want to reduce plastic waste.”

As noted by Scion, the idea of elimination is overly simplistic, Mr Burkhardt said.

“Packaging NZ supports sensible reduction and re-use, conscientious recycling and replacement but we think the Government must be mindful that the net effect of our circular economy ambitions does not serve to increase our domestic carbon emissions.

“The Government must also be transparent about what the country’s overall objective is – zero waste or zero carbon? There are inevitable trade-offs in seeking to achieve both simultaneously and these need to be clearly understood and communicated.

“Packaging NZ strongly supports Scion’s stance that without consumer demand and participation, our circular economy ambitions cannot be achieved,” Mr Burkhardt said.