27 June 2008

The Packaging Council has released a detailed review of the economic and environmental impacts of introducing a container deposit system in New Zealand conducted by independent economic consultancy Covec Ltd.

This report updates a previous report undertaken by the same economists in 2006 on the possible impacts of the Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill. Speaking at the Packaging Council's Annual General Meeting Executive Director Paul Curtis said:

"We asked Covec to update the report for two reasons. Firstly we wanted to make sure that the analysis was pertinent to the current Waste Bill which has been substantially amended during its two year passage through the legislative process. Secondly we wanted to address criticisms of the initial report made in Envision NZ's report into container deposits which was published last year."

"In the process we have amended the number of containers that would be included in a deposit refund scheme to just beverage containers excluding food jars and cans, milk containers and aerosols. We have also used 2006-2007 recycling data which reflects a 20% improvement in recycling over the previous year."

The revised analysis concludes that though a deposit refund scheme would reduce waste from landfill by approximately 45000 tonnes, the net impact on New Zealand consumers would be an additional annual cost of between $48 to $90 million. Using the mid range estimate, the additional annual cost would be around $1600 for every additional tonne recycled.

Mr Curtis said that the study shows there is no economic or environmental benefit to New Zealanders of introducing a tax on containers:-

"One of the fundamental provisions in the Waste Bill is that mandatory take back schemes must be based on the economic and environmental benefits outweighing the economic and environmental costs. Well quite clearly they don't! We took on board Envision's criticism of the methodology and reviewed their own analysis of Container Deposit Legislation set out in their report "The Incentive to Recycle". Covec have outlined the analytical errors made in this report which fail to factor in the infrastructure costs of establishing a deposit refund system alongside a mature nationwide kerbside recycling system."

"What we have found is that recycling rates have increased and are continuing to increase with more material types being collected and new markets for recycling opening up. Covec's model for a refund system is based on looking at the best options available from overseas experience whereby consumers would either take their drinks containers back to supermarkets or to recycling transfer stations."

Mr Curtis told Packaging Council members that he appreciated that many of them felt the costs were understated:

"I have been challenged by people who know a lot more about the economics of operating container deposit systems than I do that the costs of implementing CDL are much higher than the Covec report states. However I have always taken the view that we are better to be conservative in our approach. What we can't get away from is that CDL would add millions to industry costs at a time when we are facing spiraling fuel and energy costs and taxes on waste and carbon. Whichever way you crunch these numbers they are way in excess of the $6 million mentioned in the Envision report. And by spending upwards of $50 million to implement the scheme, we would reduce waste to landfill by just 1.5%. It doesn't make sense."

The research also finds that current kerbside collections address the 60% of drinks containers which are consumed at home. A further 30% containers are consumed at restaurants and other entertainment venues and collected by recycling operators which leaves 10% drinks containers consumed whilst people are out and about.

Mr Curtis posed the question: "Isn't it far better to find a solution to help people do the right thing with their cans and bottles whilst they are out at the shops or in the park?"

The Packaging Council is an active member of the Ministry for the Environment's Recycling in Public Places Initiative Steering Group and is also investigating various models for involving the private sector in extending this initiative. Mr Curtis also announced a new vision and look for the Packaging Council with a new logo "Towards Sustainable Packaging."

Summary Information

Recycling rates have increased from 52% in 2006 to 57% in 2007

Annual cost:
First report: $61 - 121 million per annum
Revised report: $48 - 90 million per annum

Cost per additional tonne recycled:
First report: $1020 per tonne
Revised report: $1600 per tonne

Reduction in waste sent to landfill:
First report: 90,000 tonnes per annum
Revised report: 45,000 tonnes per annum

Click here to download Covec’s revised 2008 report of the potential impacts of Container Deposit Legislation and compulsory take-back of all packaging by retailers, as allowed for by the Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill as reported back by the Local Government & Environment Select Committee.

15 April 2008

Unprecedented interest in the progress and future of the Packaging Accord (2004) saw a packed audience gather this morning to hear the Hon. Trevor Mallard, Minister for the Environment deliver his address to the Accord’s first conference, which attracted 150 delegates from 70 organisations.

The New Zealand Packaging Accord was a world first. When it was signed in 2004 it was the first voluntary agreement on packaging in the world which brought together local and central government; recycling operators; packaging manufacturers; brand owners and retailers as equal partners in an agreed voluntary commitment to reduce packaging waste.

Since the Accord was signed, much has changed. The Government has put sustainability at the centre of its policy making; the legislative landscape is changing; markets for recycled products have opened up and consumers are now firmly in the camp that green is the new black.

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council NZ said that the seminar’s timeliness has been part of its attraction:

“This is the first opportunity for the Minister for the Environment to talk publicly about the Select Committee’s report back on the Waste Minimisation Bill. Ultimately all Accord parties know that the devil is in the detail. At this stage we don’t know which products are to be considered for the priority product list so it’s still a waiting game.”

“Given the enormous success of the Packaging Accord as evidenced by the number of people here today and the provision within the Bill for voluntary product stewardship schemes which are meeting their targets to be given accreditation, we are keen to see the Packaging Accord be the first scheme off the block under the new legislation. By anybody’s standards we are achieving results…”

“Speakers from a broad spectrum of industry confirm that packaging is now an integral part of every company's environmental image. It tells a story about how committed brands are in reducing the impact which they have on the planet. That packaging manufacturers, retailers, brand owners and recycling operators agree that legislation such as Container Deposit taxes is not economically or environmentally beneficial shows how the Accord process has brought disparate views together.”

The NZ Packaging recycling rate last year was 57% representing a 20% increase on the previous year which is up there with the rest of the world. Europe has an aggregated rate of 60% and Australia has a similar rate to NZ at 56%.

Tony Nowell Chair of the Packaging Accord will conclude with a challenge to industry and local and central government to continue to raise their game:-

“The packaging sector has a proven track record; each sector will meet or beat its recycling targets and is under no illusion that getting a 3rd Accord signed will need us to raise our game even further. Industry is under no illusion that it has a year and a half to prove to local and central government that it is making packaging decisions that maximise recyclability; help develop new recycling markets; and incorporate recycling messages as part of its marketing.”

“However this is a joint challenge because, as a net importer of packaged goods, materials which are recyclable overseas may not be collected for recycling in New Zealand. So local and central government have a reciprocal responsibility to ensure that people know where, what and how to recycle and to encourage new markets for recycling. The Government's proposed public place recycling and the decision by Auckland and Manukau councils to build Australasia's most high tech Materials Recovery Facility will assist in this process.”

Mr Nowell will remind delegates that at a time when fuel, food and energy costs are spiraling; increased costs are being proposed through emissions trading schemes and a waste levy, the voluntary Packaging Accord delivers the best economic and environmental solution for New Zealand.

3 out of 4 New Zealanders don’t support a ban on plastic bags so why the debate?

The Packaging Council and New Zealand Retailers Association encourage shoppers to cut down on the use of plastic shopping bags by only taking what they need and saying no to plastic bags at the check out.

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council welcomes the ongoing media interest in plastic bags because it keeps the Make a Difference campaign to reduce their use front of mind with shoppers:-

“Research carried out by ACNielsen last year targeting 1000 typical shoppers, gave a very clear message that New Zealanders don’t want a ban on plastic bags; they don’t want a tax on them; they simply want to be reminded to say no to bags if they don’t need them. Rather than demonizing plastic bags and restricting people’s right to choose, our focus is on encouraging people to think before they take. And we should also remember it’s a two way process, if check out operators forget to ask, then tell them you don’t want a bag.”

“But we shouldn’t forget that plastic bags have many secondary uses. Two thirds of all bags taken are being used for kitchen rubbish and based on international experience there is a correlation between reduction in plastic shopping bags and an increase in the purchase of kitchen tidy bags or bin liners which tend to use heavier plastics. China’s proposed ban on light weight plastic bags and liners will likely have a whole host of unintended consequences for their waste management.”

The research also showed that 74% people say they use plastic bags for their recycling and 1 in 4 actually put out plastic bags to be recycled. Mr Curtis says that plastic bags are an extremely valuable product for recyclers because they are “clean” plastic which can be easily made into pallets, underground cable covers or other plastic products:

“One recycling operator says that he is even importing plastic bags to meet demand. A number of local councils and retailers do collect bags and recycling operators are keen to get them back.” 

Grocery retailers Progressive Enterprises NZ, Foodstuffs NZ and the Warehouse Limited signed the Packaging Accord in 2004 committing to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags by 20% in 5 years. With the impetus of the Make a Difference campaign started in July last year, this target will be met.

John Albertson, CEO of the NZ Retailers Association says that international moves to ban or tax supermarket shopping bags do not necessitate similar measures here:

“There is no point taxing one type of bag out of existence and letting other plastic containers fill the vacuum. The Make a Difference campaign initiated by the main supermarkets and picked up by many convenience stores was designed to encourage shoppers to think twice about taking a plastic bag.”

“Introducing a tax on plastic shopping bags or banning them altogether may make us all feel better but there are much bigger environmental issues to be resolved. If you look at the content of a landfill, the big ticket items are organic wastes such as garden wastes, kitchen waste food processing wastes and sewage sludge which make up about one third of all landfill waste. We encourage customers to say no to plastic bags but if your shopping includes waste disposal bags etc are we really doing the right thing or just moving the problem?”

PACKAGING COUNCIL OF

NEW ZEALAND (INC)

12th DECEMBER 2007

1 in 10 local councils are backing the Packaging Accord’s Christmas Rest & Recycle campaign

On the 1st day of Christmas the council sent to me, a reminder to recycle this summer…

Several days into the campaign, one in ten local councils from Invercargill to Manukau is actively promoting the Rest & Recycle message to encourage New Zealanders to recycle more this summer.

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council says councils are using the materials provided by the Packaging Council in several different ways:-

“Councils are tailoring its use to meet local community needs. For example to ensure tourists get the message,Kaikoura will be promoting the 12 steps to a Greener Christmas at camp sites; Manukau and Wellington will be using in their general promotions; Invercargill and Westland have it up on their websites and in Rotorua you will see large posters at the recycling facility. We’re being approached by councils each day and encourage them to join with us so wherever you spend the holidays in New Zealand, you’ll get the message and more importantly you’ll know just what can be recycled and how to do it.” 

“The message is being reinforced this year in retail outlets around the country and this is already generating interest from shoppers.”

On the 2nd day of Christmas, my supermarket said please use an eco-bag and reuse when you can...

• Foodstuffs New World stores will be supporting the campaign via mailers and advertising over the Christmas/New Year period.
• Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown supermarkets will be supporting the campaign with messages communicated via mailers, instore radio and POS. Messages will be implemented in the lead-up to Christmas and the period immediately following, when customers are likely to be disposing of items;
• Liquor King ( Lion Nathan) will display in stores and on their website; and
• Some wineries will be displaying the signs in cellar door shops.

Mr Curtis said that this initiative was sparked by the huge impact on shopper’s attitudes that the Make a Difference campaign to reduce the number of plastic bags has made.

“It’s a natural extension to ask people to focus over the holiday period on a wide range of things that we can recycle– packaging, cards, wrapping paper, Christmas trees.  New Zealanders generate an estimated 30% more waste over the summer holidays and most of it can be recycled if people put it into the recycling crate rather than the rubbish bin. The amount of tonnes of glass recycled actually goes up by about 50% in January but we know for example that sales of glass and cans go up 3 times our normal levels over the holiday period. People tend to know the collection times when they are at home but often these vary during the holiday period or they may be down at the bach and not know local arrangements.”

“It’s great that local councils, recycling operators, local community newspapers and brand owners and retailers are working together to Make a Difference to our environment. We encourage other retailers and councils who aren’t yet signed up to this to get in touch and we will provide them with the 12 days to a greener Christmas poster.”

For further information contact:-

Paul Curtis: 09 271 4044

Lyn Mayes: 021 471 261

http://www.packaging.org.nz/recycling.php

NOTES TO EDITORS

This news release may be printed alongside the above “wreath” graphic per the icon above. We have designed this to show leading brands encouraging recycling. We also have a more detailed poster available (attached).   Please contact me for low or high resolution versions for both.

We encourage you to check with your local council details of recycling programmes and collection times during the holiday period. 

TAKE SOME TIME OUT TO REST & RECYCLE

AND HELP MAKE IT A GREENER CHRISTMAS

PACKAGING COUNCIL OF

NEW ZEALAND (INC)

3rd DECEMBER 2007

Retailers and councils get behind 12 days of Christmas recycling campaign

On the 1st day of Christmas the council sent to me, a reminder to recycle this summer…

On the 2nd day of Christmas, my supermarket said please use an eco-bag and reuse when you can...

Out food shopping or buying Christmas presents; celebrating at home or down at the beach, New Zealanders will be asked to make this summer holiday a green one by following 12 simple steps recommended by the Packaging Council of New Zealand.

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council says that after a successful campaign last year when many local councils and local community newspapers supported the 12 days to a greener Christmas initiative, this year’s will have even more impact because Foodstuffs, Progressive Enterprises and The Warehouse have all agreed to promote the Rest & Recycle message in their stores or their catalogues.

“We have seen the huge impact on shopper’s attitudes that the Make a Difference campaign to reduce the number of plastic bags has made this year. We’ll be extending the focus over the holiday period from just plastic bags to a wide range of things that we can recycle– packaging, cards, wrapping paper, Christmas trees. We encourage as many retailers as possible to join in.”

“ New Zealanders generate an estimated 30% more waste over the summer holidays in line with international trends and most of it can be recycled if people put it into the recycling crate rather than the rubbish bin. The amount of tonnes of glass recycled actually goes up by about 50% in January but we know for example that sales of glass and cans go up 3 times our normal levels over the holiday period and we want to encourage people to recycle it all.”

“Part of the problem is that people tend to know the collection times when they are at home but often these vary during the holiday period or they may be down at the bach and not know local arrangements.”

“We encourage every local council to join us in this campaign and have provided a template for bringing together all the information New Zealanders and holiday makers need about what, where and when to recycle over the holidays. Tourists expect to be able to recycle here just as they do at home so this information needs to be available. ”

The Packaging Council asks you to support its 12 days to a greener Christmas initiative and make a difference in your local community and to resolve in 2008 to recycle more.

We're using fewer plastic bags and recycling more packaging but let's Rest and Recycle this Christmas

New Zealanders are recycling more types of packaging more often according to the 3rd annual report issued by the Packaging Accord's Governing Board today. The report outlines the performance of industry, local and central government and recycling operators during the period July 2006 to June 2007 against 5 year recycling targets. In the year reported 57% of all packaging was recycled representing a 20% increase on the previous year.

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council said that the achievement was due to a combination of factors: "People are getting better at recycling; brands are incorporating recycling in the design of their packaging; local councils are collecting more packaging types and economic markets are being developed particularly for materials which have been more of a problem such as glass and plastics."

"High profile campaigns to get shoppers to reduce the plastic bags they use and to encourage children to get their parents to recycle steel cans are raising awareness of the issue. Recycling is an easy way for all of us to reduce our impact on the planet." "With this momentum, we have today announced a new Christmas and holiday initiative by brand owners, retailers and local councils.

The Warehouse, Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises will be promoting recycling to their customers during December and we will be encouraging local councils and community newspapers around the country to get behind the awareness campaign by including the Rest & Recycle logo with their collection information."

At the report's launch Mark Brosnan, President of the Packaging Council put the Accord in context:

"An Accord is variously defined as: an agreement; a settlement or compromise of conflicting opinions; a voluntary desire to take a certain action. The Packaging Accord is all of the above. It is a voluntary agreement to take action on minimizing waste and was a compromise between some who advocated a mandatory solution and others who preferred business as usual. Three years in and with the Waste Minimisation and Resource Recovery Bill proceeding through the Select Committee stage, one might ask what has changed. The content of this report is my answer."

"The achievements demonstrate just how successful this voluntary approach has been. Our packaging recycling rate of 57% is up there with the rest of the world. Paper and steel have already surpassed their 2009 target and glass, aluminium and plastic are over 95% towards their targets. But we are not complacent - we can and will do better."

The report highlights:

• New Zealand recycled its millionth steel can and people are being reminded to recycle steel cans by a campaign which taps into children's imaginations through the Hanable the Canable character;
• At 76% New Zealand has one of the best paperboard recycling rates in the world which is the equivalent to saving 640,000 barrels of oil per year;
• The Glass Forum has invested in community glass recycling opportunities bringing total contributions to around $2 million since the initial inception of a glass users group;
• Plastics recycling increased by 11% this year with greater emphasis on Design for the Environment;
• Brand owners got behind the 1st "12 days to a greener Christmas" campaign in conjunction with local councils and community newspapers; and
• Supermarkets adopted a joint Make a Difference campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags at checkouts. With prominent and consistent messages and alternatives available, people are now remembering their eco-bags when they go out shopping. Since the start of the Accord the retail signatories including The Warehouse have eliminated 70 million bags with a corresponding reduction in plastic equivalent to 17 million two litre drinks containers and are on target to meet the 20% reduction by July 2009.

The Packaging Council recommends the Packaging Accord as the model for other voluntary schemes under the Waste Minimisation and Resource Recovery Bill.

New Zealanders recycled 20% more packaging in the past year outpacing a corresponding 8% increase in consumption.

Three years after the signing of a 5 year Packaging Accord (2004) by the Packaging Council, the Ministry for the Environment, Local Government New Zealand and the Recycling Operators of New Zealand, New Zealanders are recycling more paper, plastics, glass, steel and aluminium packaging and containers than ever before.

At the publication of the Year Three Packaging Accord progress report today, the Accord's Chair Tony Nowell said that New Zealand's 57% packaging recovery as a percentage of consumption compares favourably with Europe and Australia.

"To put this in perspective this year's increase in recycling rate equates to an annual saving of around 33,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or taking approximately 8000 cars off the road. But it is a continual challenge because as a society our consumption keeps increasing so that each of us now uses around 60kg more packaging each year than a decade ago. Whilst it would be easy to blame industry for using more packaging, packaging simply provides the protection for each new product that we choose to buy."

This is not just a New Zealand issue of course. Globally, the 20% of the world's people in the highest-income countries account for 86% of total private consumption expenditures. And increased consumption puts increased pressure on the environment."

Mr Nowell said that whilst critics of the Packaging Accord may have appeared to have much louder voices than its supporters; the achievements outlined in this year's report are a testament to the teamwork of all parties.

"We have already surpassed the five-year recycling targets for paper and steel and are at least 95% of the way to achieving the targets for aluminium, glass and plastic. This achievement is down to sheer hard work. The opportunities have started to outweigh the challenges. An example of this is that the packaged goods industry and recycling operators agreed that the efficiency of kerbside collections must not be threatened by calls for container deposit legislation."

Each sector report describes the effort that has gone into delivering these results and the partnerships that have evolved along the way.

• Glass recycling has turned around thanks to partnerships developed between industry, recycling operators and local councils which benefit from the substantial voluntary levy paid by glass manufacturers, brand owners and retailers.
• More robust data is available about the production, consumption and recovery of steel and aluminium containers. This has been possible because for the first time the manufacturers of cans; the brand owners who fill them; the supermarkets that sell them; and the scrap metal brokers, recycling operators and exporters who process them, are all part of the loop.
• Local councils and recycling operators have continued to increase kerbside collections and the types of materials that they collect resulting in better recyclability of plastics and new domestic markets opening up.
• 76% of all paperboard is recycled which puts New Zealand amongst the world leaders; and
• Consumers are increasingly aware of their role, thanks to campaigns by supermarkets to reduce the use of plastic bags and steel's children's cartoon Hanable the CANable.

Mr Nowell said that the Packaging Accord's Governing Board was already looking forward to the next voluntary accord and had undertaken a strategic review of the Accord setting out what needs to happen to take this voluntary agreement beyond 2009 and to understand its continuing relevancy within the context of the Waste Minimisation and Resource Recovery Bill".

"Whilst there are those who say that a voluntary agreement is too weak or that the targets were not tough enough, the commitment shown by every member of this Accord reaffirms my view that organisations respond best if they are part of the solution. Industry is under no illusion that it has a year and a half to prove to local and central government that it is making packaging decisions that maximise recyclability; assisting with the development of new recycling markets; and incorporating recycling messages as part of its marketing."

"But this has to be a joint challenge because as a net importer of packaged goods, materials which are recyclable overseas may not be collected for recycling in New Zealand. Local and central government have a reciprocal responsibility to ensure that people know where, what and how to recycle and to encourage new markets for recycling. The Government's proposed public place recycling and the decision by Auckland and Manukau councils to build Australasia's most high tech recycling centre will assist in this process." The Accord Year Three report is available on:- http://www.packagingaccord.org.nz/report.php

For further information contact:-Lyn Mayes, 021 471 261

Ellerslie Flower Show asks visitors to "use the right bins" for recycling

Behind the scenes at the Ellerslie Flower Show it is not just about the spectacular flowers and landscapes, the show's organisers are doing their bit to make 2007 the greenest year ever by encouraging the 75,000 people expected to visit over the next few days to use the recycling bins provided.

Sharon Jereb, Environment Manager for the Packaging Council said that this is the 3rd year that the packaged goods industry has worked with the Show's organisers:

"In 2005, we introduced recycling to the Flower Show Company; last year we started working together early in the planning stages which led to dramatically better results. This year we are focusing on getting the recycling message to the visitors. As the biggest show of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the event attracts visitors from all over the world, many of whom expect to see comprehensive recycling systems in place."

The initiative is part of the work of the Environmental Business Action Group (EBAG) which brings together industry, local councils and recycling operators under the framework of the voluntary Packaging Accord.

Ms Jereb says that they are proud to be involved with Ellerslie Flower Show for the 3rd year running:

"The organisers have shown great leadership in proactively looking beyond recycling to the whole waste services at the Show. Drawing on past experience they have been able to determine exactly what waste is generated resulting in the installation of waste and recycling bins which better fit their needs. This means in turn a reduction in truck movements and hence the carbon footprint around the waste services."

"The recycling wheelie bins are provided by Waste Management and we have provided "use the right bin' flags to sit along side the recycling bins to emphasize to visitors that they need to think about what goes where. When eco-awareness becomes the normal practise these habits transform our workplaces, our homes and the communities we live in. The Ellerslie Flower Show epitomises our clean green image".

"Considering the environmental impact of events is no longer a 'nice to do' it is becoming an essential part of the planning process. Major events and conferences are estimated to contribute in excess of NZ$0.5billion to the New Zealand economy and show case the country to participants and visitors from around the world."

The Packaging Council is working with the Ministry for the Environment and Crown Research Institutes such as Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research to provide organisers with a comprehensive package which will help them in their drive towards "carbon neutrality.

Note to editors:

The Environmental Business Action Group was formed in 2004 as a sector group under the Packaging Accord. The group consists of representatives from Alto Plastics, Coca-Cola, Fonterra, Foodstuffs, Frucor, Visy, Packaging Council, Local Government NZ, New Zealand Juice & Beverage Association, Plastics NZ, RONZ, WasteMINZ. The main objectives of the group are to drive progress in the areas of event recycling, public place recycling and business in house waste minimisation.

Packaged Goods Industry says that revised Waste Bill provides a chance to get it right first time

The Packaging Council today told the Select Committee hearing the Supplementary Order Paper to the Waste Bill that the recommendations in its submission reflect the opinions of the vast majority of New Zealand's packaged goods industry. Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council said that industry welcomed the much improved proposed legislation, but believes that there are key parts which need to be strengthened to provide greater clarity for everyone about what is subject to legislation and for what reason; and how funds raised will be spent.

"We are absolutely committed to the Packaging Accord which was the first voluntary product stewardship programme in New Zealand and is an agreement that involves industry, local and central government and the recycling sector. We recommend this as the model for other voluntary schemes and will be starting the process of negotiating the next Accord in early 2008. Where an industry sector is not willing or able to come to the table with a properly constructed voluntary scheme, legislation may be the most appropriate solution but the notion of priority products requiring mandatory product stewardship schemes has been introduced from left field."

"We are recommending amendments which would both motivate industry to invest in voluntary schemes and set a clearer framework for determining what constitutes a priority product. A decision to legislate across a product group or sector will impact the whole economy and cannot be made on the whim of public concern which can be whipped up by the latest sound-bite. The decision to legislate has to be based on the economic and scientific facts alone."

Mr Curtis told MPs that whilst the Packaging Council is not convinced that the introduction of a waste levy is the most efficient way to provide funds for waste minimization, it accepts that there has been broad support for this tax. The Packaging Council will be seeking an exemption from the levy for waste generated from recycling, for example the residual contaminated clay from paper pulping, to overcome the perverse outcome that the levy would otherwise increase the cost of recycling and could make some recycling operations unviable.

"To make economic sense however funds need to be directed to initiatives of national strategic importance thereby consolidating waste streams, building capacity and volume and developing new markets. If industry is going to fund waste minimization, then it should at least know that it's going to be money well spent. Simply allocating 50% of the funds on an uncontested basis to 85 local councils based on population will lead to huge amounts of wasted money and have a limited impact on the country's waste. On this we agree with many parts of the waste management industry who would like to see a 100% contestable fund."

"We are also concerned that the SOP seems to be creating a hybrid situation where some matters of waste minimisation are decided at local level and some at national level with no clear indication which is to prevail. The prospect of significant inconsistencies between regions has the potential to make for intolerable business operating conditions for companies that operate nationally."

"To address this, we believe that it is entirely reasonable that territorial authorities should be required to take into account existing regulations or product stewardship schemes when making a bylaw or amending an existing by-law. Otherwise the very best of local intentions could give rise to the very worst of national unintended consequences."

Mr Curtis told the Select Committee that the private and public sector are on the same page in wanting to get a sustainable waste management policy for New Zealand and the amendments suggested would help get it right first time.

The Packaging Council's submission to the Select Committee is available on www.packaging.org.nz.

Container deposits - back to the future scheme would add up to $10 on a case of drinks

The Packaging Council says the reopening of the debate on increasing the cost of drinks containers to include a refundable deposit harks back to the 1970's when New Zealanders didn't have access to household recycling collections.

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council said that his members, who represent over 75% of the country's top 100 food and grocery brands, are concerned that consumers are not being told that putting a 10 cent deposit on each container would add an additional $120 million per annum to collection costs.

"It is great that Otago students are getting involved in recycling and we agree with greater provision of public place recycling bins to capture the containers consumed away from home. We support locally based recycling schemes, however to put in place a nationwide returnable bottle system requires a huge investment in infrastructure which would ultimately be funded by the shopper."

"Based on experience around the world where the costs of container deposits have been passed on to the consumer, the cost of a case of beer or soft drinks would increase by up to $10 to cover the distribution and reprocessing costs incurred by having to sort containers by brand. Brand owners and retailers will simply pass these costs on by putting up the price of products."

"Proponents of deposits massively understate these costs because they seem to think that producers will absorb them - well quite frankly, they won't.'

"57% of all packaging is now being recycled and this will increase with the investment by government and industry in public place recycling. Coca Cola Amatil help recycling to the tune of $2.2 million a year by buying recycled plastic for their drink bottles. The Glass Packaging Forum has invested a similar amount to find alternative uses for the equivalent of 314 million glass containers recovered last year. It is these initiatives which will give us the best outcome at the lowest cost rather than adding to our already spiralling household food bills."

Mr Curtis says that a poll on people's attitudes to container deposit taxes conducted by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development showed initial support for a container deposit charge disappears when people are asked to pay for it. "We can't look at the costs of a container deposit system in isolation. New Zealand food prices have risen by 3.4% this year on the back of rising global food and commodity prices which have been exacerbated by grain shortages; a combination of poor weather and, perversely, more farmers growing crops for biofuel and not for food."

"Aucklanders are facing a 10c tax on petrol, adding $6 to the cost of filling an average 60-litre tank. Many of us have seen double digit growth in our land and water rates over the last three years. And the proposed climate change emissions trading scheme will see costs passed on to consumers eventually with estimates that the cost of petrol will increase 4c a litre from 2009, when oil companies join the scheme."

"With a steady stream of companies moving their manufacturing offshore due to ever rising overhead costs, leading to a 7% decline in New Zealand packaging manufacture over the last year, we have to think very carefully before imposing a further 1 billion dollars of cost over 10 years on industry".

A packaging tax is a tax too far

New Zealanders do not want to pay container deposit taxes on top of the raft of new taxes proposed recently, delegates at a conference to discuss the proposed Waste Minimisation Legislation were told today.

Paul Curtis Executive Director of the Packaging Council said that a poll on people's attitudes to container deposit taxes conducted by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development showed initial support for a container deposit charge disappears when people are asked to pay for it.

"It's no surprise that 84% people prefer using kerbside and more bins in public places rather than paying an extra charge because they are already paying through their rates for a comprehensive system of recycling with 95% of people having access to recycling facilities."

"Moreover we can't look at the costs of a container deposit system in isolation. New Zealand food prices have risen by 3.4% this year on the back of rising global food and commodity prices which have been exacerbated by grain shortages; a combination of poor weather and, perversely, more farmers growing crops for biofuel and not for food."

"Aucklanders are facing a 10c tax on petrol, adding $6 to the cost of filling an average 60-litre tank. Many of us have seen double digit growth in our land and water rates over the last three years. And last week the Government won cross party support for its climate change emissions trading scheme. Costs are expected to be passed on to consumers eventually with estimates that the cost of petrol will increase 4c a litre from 2009, when oil companies join the scheme."

"With a steady stream of companies moving their manufacturing offshore due to ever rising overhead costs, leading to a 7% decline in New Zealand packaging manufacture over the last year, we have to think very carefully before imposing a further 1 billion dollars of cost over 10 years on industry".

"The net impact of introducing a mandatory beverage container deposit system in New Zealand could cost up to $121 million per annum. Supporters say that costs would be borne by the brand owners and retailers. But everyone knows there is no such thing as a free lunch and if producers have to pay they will have to pass on the costs to shoppers. That's how the economy works and, put simply, our economy cannot afford this."

"New Zealand continues to slip down the OECD ladder of successful economies. World growth is robust at 5%; Australia will grow at 4 per cent but New Zealand is only half this rate. The stark reality is that an Australian will earn 30 per cent more than his Kiwi counterpart and 500 Kiwis are leaving each week for better opportunities overseas. So why do we want to add another tax burden?".

"We signed up 3 years ago to a voluntary product stewardship programme called the Packaging Accord along with local and central government and the Recycling Operators of New Zealand. This year we have reached a record 57% recycling due to the efforts of industry in designing better packaging along with improved kerbside collections and new markets for recovered materials. We compare well with Europe, UK and Australia."

"The Packaging Council urges the Parliamentary Select Committee considering the Waste Minimisation and Resource Recovery Bill to take notice because there has been so much emotive lobbying for container deposits that it is easy for politicians to be persuaded that this is what people really want."

Industry Asks Select Committee Hearing Renamed Waste Bill To Take A Look At Environmental Packaging Award winners

The Packaging Council invites the Select Committee hearing the proposed amendments to the newly named Waste Minimisation and Resource Recovery Bill to take a look at the winners of the recent Environmental Packaging Awards.

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council said that his members, who represent over 75% of the country's top 100 food and grocery brands, are annoyed that the Greens and Government continue to makes producer the scapegoats for waste without acknowledging the huge investment industry is making already.

"The Bill is being returned today to the Select Committee with claims that the Bill 'creates a motive for manufacturers to redesign their products and packaging to reduce the amount of waste created.' Where were these MPs when we announced recently a huge increase in recycling and celebrated the packaging excellence awards? Recycling is now at 57% across all packaging materials consistent with the recycling rates in the much larger and more regulated markets of the UK, Australia and Europe."

"Just last month the Acting Minister for the Environment presented environmental packaging awards to small, medium and large organisations all showing the major improvements that have been made in the environmental design and resource recovery of packaging. Producers have made major investments in this area and recycling rates across every sector have improved dramatically in the three years since the voluntary Packaging Accord was signed. It is disappointing that industry's achievements don't get a mention. If the facts don't fit we appear to prefer to ignore them."

"417,000 tonnes of packaging was recycled last year - a massive 67,500 tonnes more than the year before. To put this in perspective, this increase equates to an annual saving of around 33,000 tonnes of CO2 or taking around 8,000 cars off the road ."

"Three years ago we signed a Packaging Accord which sets targets for industry, local and central government and recycling operators to increase recycling. This is a joint effort requiring industry to minimise the environmental impacts of packaging and for government to improve access to recycling facilities. Yet we continue to hear calls for industry to come to the party - the Packaging Council believes it is not just on the guest list but actually in the party management team."

"None of the amendments made are a surprise because the Bill in its original form was unworkable and we welcome the certainty that a Government backed Bill will provide particularly because it will now get the rigour of a cost benefit analysis. The waste levy component was expected, although we remain sceptical that it would be an effective mechanism to drive behaviour change and are concerned this tax would increase the cost of recycling and could be a demotivating factor for business to go the extra mile. We are pleased however to see that the emotional pull of container deposit legislation has been reined in by common sense."

Packaging Council members manufacture over 75% of New Zealand's top 100 food and grocery brands contributing over NZ$17 billion to the local economy.

Packaging Council Claims Good Recycling Result

What would it take for the Greens and the Government to say that a 20% increase in recycling in one year is a good result? The Packaging Council questions why the joint statement from the Greens and Government about the renaming and amendments to the Waste Bill makes producers the scapegoats for waste.

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council said that he was baffled why neither party mentioned the huge increase in recycling which is now at 57% across all packaging materials consistent with the recycling rates in the much larger and more regulated markets of the UK, Australia and Europe.

"Just last month the Acting Minister for the Environment presented environmental packaging awards to small, medium and large organisations all showing the major improvements that have been made in the environmental design and resource recovery of packaging. Producers have made major investments in this area and recycling rates across every sector have improved dramatically in the three years since the voluntary Packaging Accord was signed. It is disappointing that none of this is reflected in their observations today."

"We recently completed our annual recycling analysis and reported that 417,000 tonnes of packaging was recycled last year - a massive 67,500 tonnes more than the year before. To put this in perspective, this increase equates to an annual saving of around 33,000 tonnes of CO2 or taking around 8,000 cars off the road."

"None of the amendments made are a surprise because the Bill in its original form was unworkable and we welcome the certainty that a Government backed Bill will provide particularly because it will now get the rigour of a cost benefit analysis. The waste levy component was expected, although we remain sceptical that it would be an effective mechanism to drive behaviour change and are concerned this tax would increase the cost of recycling and could be a demotivating factor for business to go the extra mile. We are pleased however to see that the emotional pull of container deposit legislation has been reined in by common sense."

Packaging Council members manufacture over 75% of New Zealand's top 100 food and grocery brands contributing over NZ$17 billion to the local economy.

Kiwi ingenuity wins top Environmental Packaging Award

The Packaging Council celebrated its member's commitment to sustainability by showcasing the very best of New Zealand's packaging at the 5th Environmental Packaging Awards this evening.

The Supreme Environmental Packaging Award was presented by Acting Minister for the Environment, the Honourable David Parker, to a small Whangerei based packaging manufacturer Maniaia Mist Paper Solutions for its Kiwifruit tray made from a blend of wood pulp and kiwi fruit pulp and skin.

The judges agreed that Founder and Technical Director, Basil Bromley's, export tray shows true Kiwi ingenuity in the design of packaging for our national icon made from waste bi-products including the fruit itself.

Maniaia Mist may not be a well known company name but they also won the Awards for Environmental Impact and Innovation in Design and received a Highly Commended in the Paper Packaging category. The judges were glowing in their praise saying that:

"This team has put considerable thought, research, design and innovation into their entry and packaging product. This product is by no means an easy one to manufacture and its contribution to using by-products is significant."

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council who runs the awards said that this year's awards have been the first real test under the Packaging Accord (2004) to demonstrate the major improvements made in the environmental design and resource recovery of packaging.

"All tonight's winning entries share one trait: they will be successful. Not because they're eco-friendly or warm and fuzzy. They will be successful either because they are the most economical solution to a problem or because they will deliver better, cheaper and more profitable results."

"The choice of this year's Supreme Winner shows that the 95% of businesses which are small and medium sized are an important factor in the development of environmental packaging. However the Awards to Coca Cola Amatil, Hubbard Foods and Woolworths Limited Progressive Enterprises recognise the leadership role which major brand owners and retailers have in developing new markets for sustainable packaging."

Mr Curtis added that when the Awards started all this was seen as "green stuff" but that environmental design has become part of business as usual in the packaged goods industry.

New markets for recycling plastic bags, using glass in roading aggregate and construction and better systems for processing recovered resources also received awards:-

• Range Industries for turning low value plastic waste into pallets;
• Criterion Manufacturing for its new packaging for flat-pack furniture; and
• Palmerston North City Council being the first local body to win for its partnership with contractors to use recovered glass in its local roads and pathways.

Mark Brosnan, President of the Packaging Council said the entries epitomise the passion now seen across the packaged goods industry for finding sustainable solutions:-

"We have a packaging recycling rate of 57% which is up there with the rest of the world. Europe is doing only slightly better with an aggregated rate of 60% but Australia and the UK have a very similar rates to our own at 56% and 55% respectively."

"We can show the rest of the world that a voluntary model works best. It's successful here because unlike voluntary agreements elsewhere; our Accord is a partnership between all sectors of industry and local and central government. This is our major point of difference."

On the night 10 category winners were presented with awards for excellence selected from 59 entries. A full listing is available on the 2007 Awards pages.

New Zealanders recycled almost 20% more packaging last year than the year before

The Packaging Council today released the latest data about packaging production, consumption and recovery showing that New Zealanders recycled nearly 20% more packaging in the year to March 07 than in the previous year.

Paul Curtis Executive Director of the Packaging Council announced a record high for the amount of packaging recovered as a percentage of consumption ahead of the industry's Environmental Packaging Awards to be held on the 31st August.

"Overall 57% of our packaging was collected in the past year which is a massive 67,500 tonnes more than the year before. To put this in perspective, this increase equates to an annual saving of around 33,000 tonnes of CO2 or taking around 8,000 cars off the road ." (Using a model created by the New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation)

We have already surpassed the Accord recycling targets for paper and steel and we are at least 95% of the way to achieving our recycling targets for aluminium, glass and plastic.

This "mass balance data" is compiled annually to track recovery levels and trends of packaging waste to landfill. The collation of the data is a key part of the Packaging Council's commitment to the Packaging Accord (2004) which sets out targets for packaging recovery by 2008. The table below charts progress by packaging type and against the Accord targets and shows an increase for each type of material with paper and steel exceeding their targets two years early:-

Mr Curtis said that this achievement was a credit to the cooperation between packaging manufacturers, brand owners and retailers, recycling operators, local and central government:

"This is an excellent result which sees us well placed to exceed our Accord targets in 2009 and set future targets knowing that householders are recycling more and more. Our recycling rate slightly higher than Australia's and for some packaging types such as paperboard, we are amongst the world leaders for recycling. What is more, recovery is now consistently outpacing the amount of packaging waste per capita to landfill."

"We are getting better at recycling and at developing economic markets particularly for materials which have been more of a problem such as glass and plastics. We are also better equipped to collect and interpret the data. When we first started collating this data over 12 years ago, we took the view that imports of filled steel and aluminium cans largely matched exports, however it is now clear that we are producing less here for consumption in New Zealand and exporting more. Matching production data with supermarket sales data we are now able to reflect this trend in our numbers."

The Packaging Council's data shows a worrying 7% overall decrease in the domestic production of packaging, suggesting that more manufacturing is moving overseas and the increase in consumer demand is being met by more imported products.

Click here to download an Excel spreadsheet showing the mass balance trends over time.

Greening the scene at conferences and events makes good business sense says Packaging Council

At the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals conference in Auckland today, the Packaging Council joined the Ministry for the Environment and Landcare Research in setting out the framework for hosting "carbon neutral" events.

Sharon Jereb, Environment Manager for the Packaging Council said that considering the environmental impact of a conference or event is no longer a 'nice to do' it is becoming an essential part of the planning process. She told delegates that they must be part of setting new standards:

"Increasing awareness of the environmental impact of conferences and events will be driven by processes which require event organisers to measure and manage those impacts. Top level commitment by event organisers will set the expectation, and ensure that events don't simply talk the talk, but actually walk the talk."

Jereb said that at the very least all conferences and events should have in place a process to establish a waste minimisation plan and that these must be appropriate to the limitations of the venue rather than trying to introduce new logistics arrangements:- "Plans should be pragmatic in concept and practical in application otherwise they simply won't work. Talk to your local waste management service providers and ask them how to ensure that recycling systems are in place. Select venues on the basis of their sustainable performance."

"Communicating the role everyone has to play cannot be underestimated in ensuring a successful outcome. Make sure that the messages which people attending your event receive about what to do with their waste are clear, concise and most of all consistently applied in all pre-event, event and post event communications." Major events and conferences have been estimated to contribute in excess of NZ$0.5billion to the New Zealand economy and show case the country to participants and visitors from around the world.

The Executive Director of the Packaging Council, Paul Curtis said:

"The Packaging Council is increasingly being asked by member companies and others to assist with providing information on what event organisers should be doing to "green up" conferences and other events because delegates are now expecting this as standard.

When it boils down to it often what people want is to know what do about recycling and waste minimisation and how to reduce the overall environmental impacts of staging an event such as lighting, overall logistics and delegate's travel arrangements."

"We have a lot of that information but quickly saw that by working with the Ministry for the Environment and Crown Research Institutes such as Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research we can provide organisers with a much more comprehensive package which will help them in their drive towards "carbon neutrality. Today's joint presentation is a first step in publicising this working relationship."

Packaging Council welcomes common sense survey debunking the myth that most New Zealanders want a container deposit charge

The first major poll on people's attitudes to container deposit taxes conducted by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development shows that New Zealanders are well able to balance emotional arguments with financial common sense says Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council:

"This poll shows clearly that initial support for a container deposit charge disappears when people are asked to pay for it. That 84% people prefer using kerbside and more bins in public places rather than paying an extra charge is no surprise because they are already paying through their rates for a comprehensive system of recycling with 95% of people having access to recycling facilities. The business community supports the Government's preference for voluntary product stewardship because it makes good commercial sense and we hope that other parties considering the Green Party's Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill take notice because there has been so much emotive lobbying for container deposits that it is easy for politicians to be persuaded that this is what people really want."

Last year the Packaging Council commissioned independent research to assess the costs of container deposits. The net impact of introducing a mandatory beverage container deposit system in New Zealand could cost up to $121 million per annum.

Mr Curtis said that even the proponents of container deposits concur that the costs would be in the millions of dollars but they believe that these costs would fall elsewhere:

"Supporters say that costs would be borne by the brand owners and retailers. But everyone knows there is no such thing as a free lunch and if producers have to pay they will have to pass on the costs to shoppers. That's how the economy works."

"This survey shows that New Zealanders recognise that running two competing systems in parallel does not make sense when 77% of our councils already provide a household kerbside collection, which is by far the cheapest option targeting a wider range of materials than just beverage containers."

The Packaging Council agrees with the majority (59%) of survey respondents that believe the best solution is kerbside collection and more public place recycling bins.

"We signed up 3 years ago to a voluntary product stewardship programme called the Packaging Accord along with local and central government and the Recycling Operators of New Zealand. The retailer's plastic bag reduction campaign; the glass sector's investment in a mobile glass crusher and the quality of the entries in our 2007 Environmental Packaging Awards all demonstrate how motivated industry is to make a voluntary system work."

"We will meet and where possible exceed the recycling targets agreed to in this Accord and the way to do this is through continually improving kerbside collections and by offering better public place recycling facilities to make it easier for people to recycle when they are out and about. The Government has already made this a priority and we support their determination to see recycling at all major events."

Mr Curtis said that the recent decision to bring a state of the art Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to the Auckland region with a similar facility to be developed in Christchurch as well the MRF which has been operating for almost a year in Timaru, shows the commitment which local government has to improving recycling through investment in modern technology.

Packaging Council elects Progressive Enterprise's Mark Brosnan as its new President

At its Annual General Meeting in Auckland this evening, the Packaging Council elected Mark Brosnan, General Manager Merchandise, Packaged Goods for Progressive Enterprises Ltd, as its new President.

For the first time in the organisation's 15 year history both senior positions are held by representatives from brand owners and retailers with the selection of David Carter, Group Environment and Technical Projects Manager for Lion Nathan as Vice-President, reflecting the importance which these two groups have on addressing changing consumer attitudes to sustainable packaging.

Brosnan, who has 27 years experience in the New Zealand supermarket industry, takes over the helm at a time when environmental issues are in the forefront of consumer's minds. Brosnan said that the Packaging Council, through its early adoption of voluntary product stewardship when it signed the Packaging Accord with government in 2004, is an exemplar for other industry groups but must continue to show leadership:-

"At the time we signed the Accord, I don't think we could have predicted the intense scrutiny that the packaging industry and the Accord would come under. As an industry, we have made good progress but we have also had to address along the way a range of issues which have a direct impact on us. Our role is increasingly one of communication and advocacy."

"There has been much debate evolving from the Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill which will continue throughout the year with the announcement that the select committee will not now report back until the end of October. This delay illustrates the complexity in finding a solution."

"Whilst philosophically, there is widespread support for this Bill, industry is rightly concerned that the economic implications should be as well understood as the social and environmental outcomes. What concerns me is the impact that waste levies will have on those businesses who are not already motivated to reduce waste going to landfill. The thought process may be that the levy has been paid to solve the problem so why should I do any more by committing to voluntary initiatives? The collective response from our members in making positive changes within the voluntary framework of the Accord sends a powerful message about what is possible, without regulatory intervention and associated costs."

As part of its commitment under the Packaging Accord, the grocery retail sector this week announced a joint initiative to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags. One third of shoppers now use eco bags and uptake is increasing. Brosnan believes that this icon product is a clear message from shoppers that they support recycling and waste minimisation and raises the stakes for industry:

"Ultimately shoppers will drive the demand for sustainable products including the type of packaging and will require that these are recyclable and that local councils provide consistent recycling around the country. Early adopters are well entrenched in this thought process already. As the mainstream of shoppers adopt the same attitude, we will need to ensure that manufacturers of packaging, brand owners and retailers are meeting the consumer demand."

"Our code of practice for sustainable packaging is the standard for packaged goods and we will be increasingly self-policing because if we don't, others will do it for us. But we must not lose sight of the fact that packaging is there to protect and preserve products and without it there would be much greater waste. So the Packaging Council will continue to promote the positive benefits of sustainable packaging."

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council paid tribute to outgoing President Lawrence Olsen, General Manager Commercial for Aperio Group Australasia for his leadership through the early years of the Packaging Accord during his three year tenure as President.

Whichever supermarket you shop in- you will be challenged to Make a Difference by thinking before you take that plastic bag

Grocery retailers Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises today announced a joint campaign to Make a Difference to the environment by decimating the number of plastic bags used at their checkouts.

The new logo Make a Diffference will be rolled out to 646 supermarkets from Invercargill to Whangarei and will remind shoppers when they pick up their shopping trolley through to when they check out that they can choose whether to take a plastic bag. John Albertson, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Retailers Association hosted today's launch which was attended by the Minister for the Environment, the Honourable David Benson-Pope; members of the Select Committee considering the Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill and signatories to the Packaging Accord (2004).

"Whether you are shopping at Pak'n Save in Albany, Woolworths in Dargaville Countdown in Dunedin, Foodtown in Glenfield or New World in Timaru, you will be asked to Make a Difference. This is a unique initiative by two competitors to deliver a consistent message to shoppers."

"In the last two years grocery retailers have introduced eco-bags, reduced their use of plastic bags and the amount of plastic in them and saved in the process the equivalent of approximately 9 million 2 litre drinks bottles. But it's not enough. We have set a target of reducing plastic bags by 20% and if we are achieve this we have to get shoppers to take one less bag for every five bags they take. The supermarkets cannot do this alone they have to get shoppers to buy in to the campaign. This is what today's launch is all about."

One thousand typical shoppers have been asked by market researchers to build a picture of their current use and reuse of plastic bags and to identify what it will take to get people to use alternatives such as eco-bags.

The results of this on-line survey which was carried out in May were presented by Michael Walton, Director of Retailing for ACNielsen. This research provides a timely wake up call for New Zealanders about our green credentials.

• Whilst 54% of respondents consider themselves to be "green consumers", two thirds will nevertheless always accept free plastic bags when at the supermarket.
• 66% think plastic bags are useful but almost the same number (60%) consider them to be harmful to the environment
• Only one third of New Zealanders currently use Eco Bags. The key barriers to use include remembering to take them and the cost of purchasing them.
• Women (42%) are more likely to use Eco-bags than men (24%)
• South Islanders (24%) are less likely to use Eco-bags than other regions overall (33%)

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council said that the research has provided the focus for the supermarkets campaign but also offers insights for local and central government:-

"Three out of four New Zealanders support initiatives for voluntary reduction of plastic bag use, whilst fewer than 1 in ten people support a bag tax, so this campaign is entirely consistent with this preference. The research points to just over half of us taking more plastic bags than we think we can re-use so if we can get these people to take just one less when they shop, we will hit our reduction target and take 100 million bags out of the waste stream each year."

"Two thirds are being used for kitchen rubbish and based on international experience there is a correlation between reduction in plastic shopping bags and an increase in the purchase of kitchen tidy bags or bin liners which tend to use heavier plastics. This is why we do not support a ban on plastic bags because to do so would simply be to move the environmental impacts elsewhere."

74% people say they use plastic bags for their kerbside collections and 1 in 4 people actually put out plastic bags to be recycled. An overwhelming 9 in 10 would like to be able to recycle their bags in their kerbside recycling however less than one third of councils are currently though to provide this service.

The Retailers Association says this desire for kerbside recycling of plastic bags is matched by demand from recycling operators for this sort of plastic so they will be writing to local councils to share this research information with them.

A summary of the survey results is available from the New Zealand Retailers Association.

Packaging Council says voluntary approach to sustainability makes good business sense

At the New Zealand Institute of Food, Science and Technology (NZFST)'s conference in Wellington today, the Packaging Council outlined the work of its members in the food sector in driving sustainability through their operations.

Sharon Jereb, Environment Manager for the Packaging Council said that the packaged goods industry was on board the bus early when it signed the Packaging Accord in 2004 with local and central government and recycling operators. This Accord has agreed targets for recycling, sustainable product design and getting New Zealanders to play their part.

"At the time we signed the Accord, I don't think anyone would have predicted the intense scrutiny that the packaging industry and the Accord would come under. There is no doubt today that green is the new black. And whilst this is a worldwide trend, a lot of the recent attention here has focused on the Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill.

"Whilst philosophically, there is widespread support for this Bill, industry is rightly concerned that the economic implications should be as well understood as the social and environmental outcomes. Firstly, a waste levy of $25 per tonne is not going to change the behaviour of the public who send roughly 1 tonne each to landfill each year. Secondly business is already focused on reducing waste because it makes sound commercial sense. Those who can't afford or can't be bothered will likely engage in fly-tipping. However make no mistake, a levy is a tax and whilst $25 per tonne seems inconsequential, no-one has ever suggested it would remain at this level."

"In terms of the requirements in the Bill for product stewardship, we are meeting these through our Packaging Accord and as we near the end of the 3rd Year we are seeing real progress. And we know if we don't deliver, legislation could be introduced so there is every incentive for us all to get this right."

Jereb along with Spring Humphreys, National Eco-Efficiency Manager for Fonterra and member of the Packaging Council's executive said that the Accord also required signatories to demonstrate their performance in reducing carbon emissions and waste management.

Jereb said: "One of the most compelling reasons driving sustainable behaviour for business and for individuals is cost reduction and this is behind every decision our members make - including the decision to send material to landfill. This year we will celebrate the Packaging Council's 5th Environmental Packaging Awards and these show just how much industry has moved towards designing packaging which not only protects and preserves the product but has been produced to much higher environmental standards. This shows our code of practice for packaging is having the desired effect."

As an example Fonterra's own eco efficiency programme has been running for several years delivering significant results. The company set a New Zealand-wide target of reducing waste from its manufacturing sites to landfill by 90 per cent by June 2010. The quantity of waste to landfill over the past two and a half years has already been cut by 60 per cent. A recent project has introduced new recyclable plastic vials to sample suppliers' milk. After use, the vials are crushed and recycled into polyester clothing. This has saved 75 tonnes of plastic being sent to landfill each year.

The Clandeboye site has won the NZFST's EcoLab Eco Efficiency Award for the past two years.

Jereb concludes: "When eco-awareness becomes the normal practise these habits transform our workplaces, our homes and the communities we live in".

The packaged goods industry is strongly supportive of voluntary product stewardship which motivates industry to achieve the best outcomes at the least cost.

Under the Packaging Accord:-

• We are recovering more packaging than goes to landfill;
• All packaging types are significantly lighter than they were 10 years ago;
• Success is evident:-
  • We have one of the highest rates of paper recovery in the world;
  • Steel is funding a major public awareness campaign;
  • Glass has introduced the first voluntary levy to develop alternative uses with over $2million raised;
  • Plastics recovery is twice that of consumption;
  • Aluminium consumption has reduced by 13% (850 tonnes or 1400 small cars)
  • Supermarkets have reduced the plastic consumption by 8% (434 tonnes or the equivalent of 9 million 2 litre drinks bottles) and are launching a major public awareness campaign; and
  • Brand owners have introduced world leading application of bar code data to improve accuracy of consumption information.

Packaging Council welcomes long awaited progress report on waste management

The Packaging Council says the long awaited progress report on waste management confirms that voluntary product stewardship schemes such as the Packaging Accord are playing a major role in minimising and managing waste in New Zealand.

However the report also highlights that although 97 percent of people have access to domestic recycling facilities either at kerbside or drop-off, the level and type of services provided across the country remains highly variable.

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council said that more packaging is now recovered than goes to landfill and this progress is acknowledged in the report:

"The packaged goods industry was on board the bus early when it signed the Packaging Accord in 2004 with local and central government and recycling operators with agreed targets for recycling, sustainable product design and getting New Zealanders on board. We are delivering on this.

"I agree with the report's recommendations that local authorities need to show greater leadership in enabling people to do the right thing. For example only a few councils collect commonly used plastic containers such as ice cream and margarine containers. Why don't the rest? There is a large and growing demand for plastic packaging, with high demand both from overseas and from a new generation of New Zealand based plastics processors who are prepared to pay very good prices. We support the Minister's desire to promote on-shore recycling and to increase the variety of material diverted from landfill."

"The report also acknowledges that packaging waste comprises about 12% of municipal waste whilst the big hitters are organic waste (including food scraps) and construction & demolition waste. The report is absolutely right in identifying that whilst these were a major part of the Waste Strategy, far more effort needs to be put into minimising these waste streams which still represent almost half our waste to landfill".

New Zealand is not alone in this. The UK Government has just set national targets for recycling and composting of household waste (40% by 2010) and recovery of municipal waste (53% by 2010).

This latest report is consistent with the conclusions of the recent Office of the Auditor General's report into waste management planning by territorial authorities. This says that too much emphasis on how to deal with waste and too little effort spent on reducing it has led to councils that are too focused on waste diversion and waste disposal activities.

Mr Curtis says the packaged goods industry will meet its Accord targets and looks forward to agreeing new targets post 2008 when the current "contract" runs out:

"One of the most compelling reasons driving sustainable behaviour for business and for individuals is cost reduction and this is behind every decision our members make - including the decision to send material to landfill. This year we will celebrate the Packaging Council's 5th Environmental Packaging Awards and these show just how much industry has moved towards designing packaging which not only protects and preserves the product but has been produced to much higher environmental standards. This shows our code of practice for packaging is having the desired effect."

The packaged goods industry is strongly supportive of voluntary product stewardship which motivates industry to achieve the best outcomes at the least cost.

Under the Packaging Accord:-

• We are recovering more packaging than goes to landfill;
• All packaging types are significantly lighter than they were 10 years ago;
• Success is evident:-
  • We have one of the highest rates of paper recovery in the world;
  • Steel is funding a major public awareness campaign;
  • Glass has introduced the first voluntary levy to develop alternative uses with over $2million raised;
  • Plastics recovery is twice that of consumption;
  • Aluminium consumption has reduced by 13% (850 tonnes or 1400 small cars)
  • Supermarkets have taken 14 million bags out of circulation and reduced the plastic consumption by 8% (434 tonnes) and are launching a major public awareness campaign; and
  • Brand owners have introduced world leading application of bar code data to improve accuracy of consumption information.

Contact: