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PACKAGING RECYCLING IN NZ
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MEMBERS ONLY
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David Carter - President
This is an impressive result particularly given the impact of the recession on commodity prices for paper, steel and plastics. Whilst the Packaging Accord marks the end of one era, the Packaging Council has spent much of this year focusing on a new era of packaging product stewardship under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 (the Act). This is an important time for us and an exciting opportunity for change. The Minister for the Environment acknowledged this in a letter to the Chair of the (now dissolved) Packaging Accord’s Governing Board: “It is encouraging to see that positive progress has been made in meeting the Accord’s recycling targets, despite the recent recession on commodity prices. I am pleased to see that the sector is continuing to exercise industry leadership by moving to develop a new voluntary product stewardship scheme proposal ... I look forward to seeing a new proposal in the reasonably near future, and anticipate that it will include robust targets and partnerships to support continual improvement in this area.” The Executive Committee established a sub committee group led by Donald Nelson to develop a scheme which meets the Act’s criteria for measurable waste minimization and a reduction in environmental harm. This has been a challenging process because the legislation does not easily fit an organization such as the Packaging Council whose members represent the entire packaging supply chain including packaging manufacturers, fillers, importers, retailers and recyclers. Thanks to the efforts of all involved, we have developed a scheme which I recommend to all members as one which will enhance their business and deliver on our commitment to help reduce waste to landfill as required under the Act. It will take packaging product stewardship to a new level in New Zealand by making each of us responsible for measuring and reporting on the key sustainability indicators in our business for packaging design and specification. To provide guidance for members we have developed a comprehensive new Packaging Code of Practice for Packaging Design, Education and Procurement. Making the right choices about packaging design, specification and procurement has a direct impact on how packaging is disposed of after use. We can collectively articulate how decisions taken at each stage of the packaging life cycle impact the use of resources and their disposal. We will use this information to establish benchmarks and set collective improvement targets. This will allow us to apply for accreditation. The effect of the Act over time is likely to be that there will be increasing legal obligations that different types of products and their packaging must be recycled. Our preferred approach is that we adopt voluntary measures to deliver the desired political outcomes. Whilst our scheme is initially focused on the front end or design of packaging, the Packaging Council supports the development of initiatives by our members to develop and fund new end of life recovery systems for packaging and improve public place recycling. To support the implementation and management of the new scheme, the Executive Committee is reviewing the organization of the Packaging Council so that it is appropriately resourced to deliver these commitments alongside its traditional work programme. Whilst developing the scheme has been an important part of our work portfolio this year, our main role is to advocate the valuable contribution which packaging makes to society, the economy and the environment. Without packaging we would have massive food waste. Whilst global food production is at an all time high it is often in the wrong places to serve the people who really need it. And as a country which relies on its export markets, packaging is vital to New Zealand’s economy. We celebrated the technological innovation made to make packaging more sustainable at the bi-annual Environmental Packaging Awards. The Awards presented by the Minister for the Environment showcased the very best of New Zealand’s packaging. This has been a pivotal year for the Packaging Council as we transition from the two Accords which have been in place for over a decade. I would like to thank the Executive Committee and the staff of PAC.NZ for their support and dedication.
David Carter |
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My first year as President of
the Packaging Council has coincided with the conclusion of the five year Packaging Accord under which each packaging sector met or exceeded the targets set and the achievement of a overall packaging recycling rate of 58%. 
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING |
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77 Greenmount Drive, East Tamaki, Manukau 2013 |