FEBRUARY 2006
IN THIS ISSUE WE WILL COVER
If you are unable to read this newsletter or to use the links, please refer
to the online version which is on our website: http://www.packaging.org.nz/newsletter
The latest from our sector groups
Packaging Council of New Zealand
Governing Board
The Governing Board Meeting - Synopsis of Minutes held on the 2 December 2005.
NEW ZEALAND PACKAGING ACCORD 2004 Synopsis of the Minutes of the Governing Board Meeting held at Griffins Foods Ltd - 17 Sulton Street - Ellerslie - Auckland on Friday 2nd December 2005 ATTENDEES: Bill Bayfield Ministry for the Environment Josh Gluckman Ministry for the Environment Nigel Ironside Ministry for the Environment Peter Thorne Recycling Operators of New Zealand Susan Edwards Local Government New Zealand (via conference call) George Campbell Cryovac Sealed Air Peter McElroy Amcor Kiwi Packaging Tony Nowell Griffins Foods Ltd Deb Statham Packaging Council of New Zealand John Webber Packaging Council of New Zealand Lyn Mayes Accord Communications Also in attendance were David Carter, Lion Nathan and Bruce Middleton, WasteNot Ltd. The meeting commenced at 7.45am. 1. WELCOME – TONY NOWELL – CHAIRMAN 2. APOLOGIES were received from Melissa Hodd Foodstuffs (NZ) Ltd Trevor Johnston The Warehouse Ltd It was moved that the Apologies be accepted. Carried 3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING were taken as read. 4. INWARDS / OUTWARDS CORRESPONDENCE Letter from the Minister and President of LGNZ congratulating the Governing Board on a successful first year of running the Accord. The meeting was advised that the Minister was impressed with the support for the Year One Accord Recognition event. It was noted that the key themes of the Minister’s letter to the Governing Board for year two – addressing data, recycling contracts, increased awareness and participation in the Accord, ongoing efforts to sustain and grow glass recovery and the shift of costs away from ratepayers towards consumers.
Congratulations were extended from Bill Bayfield and Tony Nowell to Deb Statham and her team for the success of the event, venue choice etc. There was no outward correspondence. 5. UPDATE OF GLASS SITUATION David Carter, Glass Sector Leader, gave a brief PowerPoint presentation as to how the Glass Steering Group believed the issues should be progressed.
Key Points:
- Small levy to be applied to all parties involved that benefit from trading in glass packaging (manufacturers, local fillers, retailers, recyclers).
- This to be applied at each stage and would cover the same containers at different points in their marketing cycle.
- Funding in support of collections was to cease but monies would continue to be made available for the development of other uses of unwanted cullet.
- ‘Forum’ would have separate corporate articles, funds held in trust, own steering group, dedicated project manager and annual reporting.
- This approach would demonstrate the Glass Sector’s ongoing commitment to Product Stewardship and the resolution of the issue. Congratulations were extended to those who had formed the Glass Group and encouraged the formation of industry partnerships as contributors to a satisfactory resolution. It was also noted that the devil remained in the detail of the glass sector’s proposal. For example, what funding criteria might be? It was noted that the concept of a Glass Stewardship Forum pushing forward and finding answers was great, and should be supported by the Governing Board. Most Board members expressed their support. RONZ wished to record strong disappointment that recyclers and ratepayers might be required to pay under the Stewardship Forum and that the proposal would put some recyclers and local authorities in hardship. The Glass Sector Leader noted that this was industry’s attempt to start shifting costs. It’s not perfect and there are still a lot of challenges. For example, the glass group still considered that recyclers were part of the wider glass industry. The Chair formally congratulated the Glass Sector on behalf of the Governing Board and requested that the Glass Sector report progress to the Governing Board as this issue must be monitored closely. The Governing Board thanked David Carter for his time and efforts. 6. RONZ - IMPROVING PACKAGING DATA / RECYCLABILITY INFORMATION WasteNot Ltd, the author of the report, addressed the meeting re the project. The question was asked as to the level of accuracy required to meet Accord commitments. It was noted that data should be fit for purpose with sufficient quality to respond to critics. The report should also be seen as a guide to gain a clearer picture of the information. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNING BOARD - Information for the public, while not needing to be perfect, does need to be credible and sufficiently robust to withstand criticism and better than is currently provided. It was suggested that each sector be asked to comment on the recommendations within the report. It was agreed that nothing would be made publicly available until further discussion had taken place to ensure that all parties were comfortable. RECYCLABILITY INDEX WasteNot Ltd discussed the index and noted that it could be an effective tool but acknowledged that it may not be embraced as the logistics of running it could be very difficult. However, the index concept had served to put a number of issues on the table. MfE proposed that the recyclability index’s component issues be further developed across the relevant sector groups. For example, the contracts group could consider how an index, or more standardisation, could be incorporated into their guidance. Similarly, the plastics groups might consider how to improve the labelling of their products to provide better information to consumers. The Recyclability Index report could be circulated to these groups in this context. 7. CONFIRMATION OF INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES ON THE GOVERNING BOARD All current representatives have confirmed their willingness to continue. 8. FINANCES & TWO YEAR PLAN The financial position was accepted and the final Two Year Plan will be submitted to the next Governing Board meeting. 9. SUMMIT It was agreed that that the Accord Summit should be used as a communications tool. It was noted the absolute importance of communication, and that events such as the summit should involve the quiet leaders; so that it becomes clear the level of activity that is underway. 10. NEXT MEETING The Secretariat to propose four meeting dates and circulate to the Governing Board with the Minutes. CLOSE There being no further business the meeting closed at 10:10am. |
Packaging Council of New Zealand
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Paul Curtis has been appointed Executive Director of the Packaging Council of New Zealand (Inc) commencing January 2006 after spending two years with the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) managing their Auckland office. Prior to moving to New Zealand from the UK, Paul spent nine years in regulatory affairs within the fast moving consumer goods industry, having worked for Rentokil Initial, Reckitt Benckiser and latterly SC Johnson where he was their European Regulatory Affairs and Registrations Manager. A key focus for the Council for the 2006 year is to extend the influence of the Council on packaging issues in general, with particular attention to the commitments made for Year Two of the Accord. |
Executive Committee Meeting - Synoposis of Minutes held on the 22 November 2005.
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PACKAGING COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND Synopsis of the Minutes of the PAC.NZ Executive Meeting held at Packaging Council of New Zealand – Unit K 175 Harris Road – East Tamaki on Tuesday 22nd November 2005 The meeting opened at 9:35am PRESENT Lawrence Olsen (Chairman), Mark Brosnan, George Campbell, Craig Forman, Andrew Gleason, Clinton Jones, Keith McCracken, Peter McElroy, Donald Nelson, John Novak, Murray Parrish, Derek Shaw and Brian Slingsby. Deb Statham was in attendance. 2. APOLOGIES Were received from Laurence Eyres, Melissa Hodd, John McCormack, Chris Wilson and John Wright. It was moved: that the apologies for the meeting be accepted. BRIAN SLINGSBY / DONALD NELSON : CARRIED 3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 1 September 2005 had been circulated. It was moved: that the Minutes of the meeting be accepted.
John Novak / Derek Shaw : CARRIED 4. MATTERS ARISING NOT ON THE AGENDA - Confirmation of Governing Board appointees. - Glass Sector – Product Stewardship Forum working through PAC.NZ. - Waste Management – Clinton Jones resignation from Executive and replacement. It was agreed that the CHH presentation precede dealing with the above 3 items. CARTER HOLT HARVEY PRESENTATION Bruce Chapman presented the CHH position re high court action against Rodney, Waitakere and North Shore City Councils re the new Waste Bi-Law. The Executive agreed to consider the CHH Affidavit and draft memorandum / letter to Bill Bayfield and forward their responses back to Deb Statham, PAC.NZ. The meeting then addressed items under 5. Matters Arising Not On the Agenda. Confirmation of Governing Board appointees In 2004 Governing Board industry reps were: Tony Nowell - Chair GB – Griffins non PAC.NZ Executive Trevor Johnston - The Warehouse non PAC.NZ Executive Peter McElroy - Amcor Kiwi PAC.NZ Executive Melissa Hodd - Foodstuffs PAC.NZ Executive George Campbell - Cryovac / Sealed Air PAC.NZ Executive All advised their willingness to stand again for another term. Glass Sector – Product Stewardship Forum working through PAC.NZ. Brian Slingsby and Donald Nelson briefed the meeting as to the Glass Steering Committee’s proposal for PAC.NZ to be the home of the Glass / Product Stewardship Forum. The Forum would have separate Articles of Association, audited accounts etc and would be governed by a steering group. A project manager is to be employed. It was moved: that the Glass Stewardship Forum be housed within PAC.NZ KEITH McCRACKEN / DEREK SHAW : CARRIED
Waste Management – Clinton Jones resignation from Executive and replacement. Clinton Jones tendered his resignation from the Executive. Clinton advised that Waste Management had employed David Perkins – Recycle New Zealand and believes it to be beneficial for both parties to have David on the Executive.
The President thanked Clinton for his time and contribution on the Executive Committee. It was moved : that Clinton Jones’ resignation be accepted and that David Perkins take his place representing Waste Management on the Executive. DOANLD NELSON / PETER McELROY : CARRIED 5. FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS The financial package had been circulated. It was moved that the Financial Package be adopted: DOANLD NELSON / PETER McELROY : CARRIED 6. ACCORD / WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 6.1 Progress on Accord – Sector Activity The Executive documents had given an overview of each sector’s progress for the period. Recycling Operators of New Zealand PAC.NZ’s membership of RONZ was questioned and an explanation was to be sought from the previous Executive Director as to why membership was taken up. Glass Sector CHH’s offer to put excess glass into private forest roading was discussed. The Executive was advised that there were a suite of proposals for alternative uses for glass before the Glass Steering Group; CHH’s being one of them. A decision as to what the preferred option would be would most likely be in the New Year. Waste to Energy As per the Executive documents, a formal letter had been forwarded to the Ministry and no official response had been forthcoming. The Acting Executive Director circulated an informal response from Josh Gluckman advising that MfE were furthering their investigations. This subject remains a critical issue particularly with the Flexible Plastics Group. 6.1.2 Governing Board Matters relating to the Governing Board were discussed under 4. MATTERS ARISING NOT ON THE AGENDA (page 3). 6.1.3 Litter The Government is increasing its support for Keep New Zealand Beautiful as that organisation is recognised as the mechanism for delivering litter abatement programmes. Coke, Wrigley’s, BP, and British American Tobacco particularly are providing considerable financial support. Programmes are being reactivated in Hastings and Napier with direct involvement from BAT. PAC.NZ cannot ignore the relationship between packaging and its component of litter. 6.2 WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 6.2.1 Mass Balance A refinement of the methodology to collect data is being undertaken but clarification is required from MfE as to the degree of perfection so that criticism is not targeted at the packaged goods industry.
7. PROMOTIONS 2007 Awards for Excellence The Acting Executive Director advised that the Auckland Regional Council had advised that their involvement in 2007 was unlikely. This raised the question as to whether the Awards should be exclusively industry sponsored or inclusive of Accord parties. The latter was the preferred option. The criterion for the category “Environmental Impact” needs to be re-evaluated prior to 2007 as it is deemed too complicated. This is the category attracting most entries. General The Waste Management Institute Conference held in Rotorua was attended by the Acting Executive Director who noted that many of the delegates used the conference as a place to “network” rather than participate in workshops / discussion groups. This sentiment was reiterated by others of the Executive who had attended. It was agreed that PAC.NZ should raise this with WasteMinz. 8. MEMBERSHIP 8.2 New PAC.NZ / Accord Members BJ Ball, Cerebos Greggs and PACT Industries had all joined and paid their subs however letters of endorsement of the Accord are still outstanding. 9. ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S / GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPORT Had been forwarded with the Executive documents. It was moved: that the Acting Executive Director’s / Government Relations report be accepted. JOHN NOCAK / DEREK SHAW : CARRIED 10. GENERAL 10.1 PAC.NZ Hosting a 2 day Sustainable Packaging Workshop – 24/25 46 registrations. Dr Karli James and Helen Lewis - Centre for Design, RMIT University, Melbourne are running the workshop being held at PINOT – Orakei Road Remuera. Financial support had been received from Foodstuffs New Zealand with thanks. 10.2 Biodegradable Packaging Derek Shaw had had circulated notes on PLA thermoformed packaging. Biodegradable packaging will be an ongoing waste stream issue unless some standards are set and acknowledged. Plastics New Zealand is also looking at the biodegradable packaging issue and is to hold a workshop early December with all Accord parties invited. 10.3 Future Awards Criteria Peter McElroy advised that Amcor Kiwi had been the target of direct derogatory advertising from one of the 2005 category winners. This was not the spirit of the Awards programme. It was suggested that any advertising material used by winning entrants be signed off / endorsed by PAC.NZ prior to going to print. This information must also be incorporated within the Awards entry form. It was moved: that all advertising material promoting Award winners and / or their product/entry be approved and signed off by PAC.NZ prior to going to print. ANDREW GLEASON / KEITH McCRACKEN : CARRIED 10.4 Executive Director’s Position Paul Curtis has been employed to the role of Executive Director commencing 16 January 2006. 11. NEXT MEETING The Council office will close for Christmas from 21 December through 16 January 2006. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 23 February 2006, 9:30am, PAC.NZ Boardroom. There being no further business the meeting closed at 12:15pm. |
Ministry for the Environment
Environmental result pleasing – but no room for complacency (25/01/2006)
The Government welcomes a report released today that ranks New Zealand first in the world for environmental performance. The 2006 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) produced by a team of experts from Yale and Columbia Universities rated New Zealand first out of the 133 countries they surveyed.
Climate Change Review
The Review of New Zealand’s Climate Change Policies was completed late last year, it was conducted by a cross-departmental team involving representatives from the Treasury, Ministry for Economic Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Transport and the Ministry for the Environment. Cabinet commissioned the Review, and the Ministry for the Environment assembled the review team. A copy of the document and the relevant Cabinet Paper and Cabinet Minute are available at www.climatechange.govt.nz.
MfE Staff Changes
As most of you will be aware Bill Bayfield finished at the Ministry on 20 January and will take up the position of Chief Executive of Environment Bay of Plenty on 20 February. Acting Senior Manager for Sustainable Industry is Rachel Depree until such time that a permanent appointment is made. Nigel Ironside will now represent the Ministry on the Packaging Accord Governing Board.
Product Stewardship Update
A lot of work is going into the policy development process, to ensure a robust, workable policy that assists voluntary schemes. MfE are starting a number of studies where product stewardship schemes are already running, with the aim of examining how best to design a policy and what benefits it could offer on a case-by-case basis. Studies are proposed in the cell phone, paint, agricultural chemical container, used tyres, large appliance and used oil sectors.
MfE will also be making sure that pertinent lessons from other schemes not covered in these studies are also captured. A more in-depth review of overseas models of product stewardship and gathering waste data and assessing regulatory cost and benefits will be carried out. This work will feed into recommendations to government, which MfE are proposing to submit in the second half of next year. MfE are not able to be more specific with the timing until the legislative calendar has been decided. Throughout this period there will be a continuation of the priority of helping initiate and develop effective, industry-led voluntary product stewardship schemes.
EANnet delay (Foodnews)
THE FGC has reported to members that EANnet is unlikely to be going live until later in 2006, rather than the start of this year as was originally anticipated. Members have been reminded however that they must have started preparations to become “EANnet ready”. Griffins Foods Ltd is the first pilot supplier in the EANnet trial to be declared EANnet ready
15/2/2006 - Foodstuffs New Zealand today indicated that it was confident that it would meet its anticipated 'go live' date for EANnet in mid May 2006. http://www.foodstuffs.co.nz/News/Detail.aspx?id=117
Glass
Since the December meeting there has been a number of significant initiatives. Firstly the original importers group which payed the levy (May 2005 through to the end of November 2005) has been replaced by a new body (GLASS STEWARDSHIP FORUM) under which all those involved in glass packaging, imported or local, will play a role. This covers manufacturers, importers, fillers, sellers, brand owners and retailers.
This Forum is independent from the Packaging Council of New Zealand albeit that it retains a close relationship with it particularly in respect of the Accord process. The Forum should be likened to for example, the NZPPA or Plastics New Zealand.
At this stage the recycling industry, while a component in the recovery programme will not be contributing financially and is therefore not part of the Forum.
Considerable progress has been made on the issue of glass for aggregates with Transit New Zealand now being involved and taking a lead role under which it will project manage some of those trials previously identified. It is hoped that Transit New Zealand will be able to supply specifications for base course related to roading by the end of April / May thereby facilitating the use of cullet for this purpose.
The Forum will be putting together the levy process and a working document covering other opportunities for the use of cullet. It will be developing its own publicity and promotion of its activities. It is in the first instance to be led by David Carter, Lion Nathan and John Webber will be its initial general manager.
Crushed glass helps grapes ripen on the vine
FINALLY, a good excuse for wine drinkers to increase their intake. Crushed glass from recycled wine bottles is being used to ripen grapes. Christchurch company TerraNova (formerly the Recovered Materials Foundation) has begun a two-year trial at the Sandihurst Winery in West Melton.
TerraNova chief executive Richard Lloyd had bought a section on the winery and after a conversation with the vineyard owners realised they shared views on sustainable business. Tonnes of crushed white and green glass, just bigger than sugar crystals, have been spread on the ground. It is hoped the glass will reflect light and heat to enhance growth and encourage the ripening process.
Wastewater through the recycling glass
(18 January 2006) Recycled glass could cut the cost of water filtration and help the UK meet its glass recycling targets, new research has found.
Local Government
Community waste minimisation fund – Christchurch City Council
Individuals, groups or community organisations can apply for a share of Christchurch City Council's new Community Waste Minimisation Fund. The maximum amount per application will be $10,000 from the $50,000 available each year.
Recycling at events this summer – (8 February 2006) Christchurch City Council
This summer you can recycle at several Summer Times events as part of a trial looking at recycling at public events. Recycling stations will be in several locations - under green recycle flags - and will consist of two wheelie bins with blue lids. One wheelie-bin will be for glass containers and the other wheelie bin will be for plastic (types 1 and 2) and metal containers.
Council report measures progress in waste reduction (3 February 2006) Auckland City Council
A progress report on changes made to Auckland City's waste services in 2001/2002 has shown that while waste to landfill dropped considerably when the changes were introduced, little progress has been made in subsequent years.
Funding for Environmental & Strategic Projects (1 February 2006) Wellington City Council.
Wellington City Council has funding available for environmental and strategic projects that will benefit the city.
Paper
Another interesting year planned for paper and paperboard packaging industry via NZPPA, with much of this focusing on environmental sustainability. When we take stock on last year, the paper sector had made some significant progress in meeting the outcomes of the Accord, and looking ahead we will have another good year. The key things of interest this year will be:
- Some exciting speakers on environmental issues at the NZPPA meetings, the Bi-annual PrintNZ/NZPPA conference at Wairakei - with a key note speaker from overseas on environmental sustainability, and the outcomes/best practice from the Action Plans for environmental sustainability based on the Code of Practice.
- During the year each NZPPA member business will be contacted to discuss the development of an Action Plan in line with the Code of Practice. This is part of an SMF project and the Packaging Accord responsibilities.
- A further meeting of the major players in the wider paper sector, including newspapers and magazine publishers, suppliers and manufacturers of paper, direct mail, paperboard packaging and printers will take place in March. The major focus of the "Paper Sector Forum" will be environmental sustainability within the paper sector.
Plastics
- Plastics New Zealand – Degradable Plastics Workshops
On 8th December 2005, Plastics NZ held a very successful Degradable Plastics workshop. More than
60 people attended the workshop from a range of companies and organisations, including central and local government, consultants, non-government organisations, researchers, plastic raw material suppliers, plastic manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, and industrial composters.
The half-day workshop was an opportunity to network and address some of the key issues in the industry, such as: labelling, standards, and consumer demands for recycling/composting, and most importantly communication between the many stakeholders.
Speakers representing all main areas of the product life cycle presented their issues, which will be discussed in more detail at the next workshop. These discussions will then be followed through with brainstorming sessions to start coming up with possible solutions. One issue to discuss would be: as more compostable plastics are introduced into New Zealand, these materials will need to be kept separate from the main recycling streams to reduce the risk of contamination. Also, there are requirements from the commercial composters that any plastic is identifiable as being compostable and that it composts at the same rate as other organic material.
For more information, and copies of the speakers’ presentations, visit: www.plastics.org.nz/page.asp?id=549
The next workshop will be held from 9:30am to 12pm, on Fri 31 March 2006. If you are interested in attending, or interested in being part of a working group and/or the email group (where you get notified of news/events and updated with progress on the above issues), please contact Nikki Withington, nikki@plastics.org.nz or 09 262 3773 ext 103.
- Plastics Packaging Workgroup Updates
The following are a couple of updates from our Rigid and Flexible Plastics workgroup meetings:
- Flexible Plastics Working Group
Last meeting: 14 February 2006
During the last meeting, Fonterra’s Eco-Efficiency Manager, Spring Humphries presented some of the successes the company has had in reducing waste, maximizing resources and creating efficient operating streams. His motivating presentation helped us to see that we would make significant gains by addressing pre-consumer packaging. The focus of the group will initially be on industrial rather than post-consumer material; and the next meeting will include members of the Flexibles group, to meet and discuss this with members of the Food and Grocery Council (in the Packaging Project Team).
Next meeting: To be advised
- Rigid Plastics Working Group
Last meeting: 16 February 2006
We are combining information on ice cream containers, such as lid and tub materials, quantities of these, and whether they feature recycling identification codes on the products. A letter was sent out to ice cream companies via the Ice Cream Manufacturers Association. This information will then be evaluated, along with the input from commercial recyclers, councils, and manufacturers – to see if the containers could potentially be recovered through kerbside recycling. There may be a need for standardisation in material types (used for lids and tubs), and perhaps some restriction on labelling, to ensure products can be readily recycled. If it is deemed that overall it would not be feasible, another product category such as paint pales, or dairy containers may be looked at.
Next meeting: April
Cansmart gets a fresh look. Four years since the launch of the current Cansmart website, online communications for Cansmart have been completely revitalised. See www.cansmart.org for steel can industry facts, figures, news and views.
Recycling Operators of NZ board elects new chair.
His objectives as chair revolve around the need for RONZ to resource itself in order that it makes a full contribution to delivery of the objectives of Accord 2 while also improving the position of its member companies.
Bruce has had an interest in resource recovery since he was eight years old. He regularly and bought stuff home from the rubbish burning trenches behind the Lincoln Maternity home and later from the Fort Dorset beach rubbish burning dump – it was at the mouth of Wellington Harbour!
His career history includes a long term commitment to establishing green waste composting as a mainstream practice in NZ and to make a living while doing that he built 9 plants throughout the country. Many of these are still in full production. He has worked as a supplier of new technologies to the scrap metal industry and is still involved in the development of processes for resource recovery from complex wastes.
As a ‘light relief’ Bruce also owns a business that supplies vineyard equipment in Australia and NZ.
A founding member of WMINZ he was its president and journal editor for three years.
Since 1992 Bruce has managed the national recycling programme for steel cans and has worked towards making them a recognized recyclable. He is frustrated that there are still more wasted than recovered despite steel cans being generally accepted in kerbside collection contracts.
He is encouraged for the future of the recycling services industry, “The Packaging Accord and the looming prospect of brand owner driven product stewardship initiatives will provide the resource recovery industry many new opportunities.
“RONZ, as the body representing recycling services industry will actively campaign for, and contribute towards, the success of this Accord simply because success will bring mutual benefits to all the Accord signatories and their memberships.”
Volunteers needed for creek and coast litter clean-up (1 Feb 2006 thru April)
Auckland City Council.
Auckland City's summer creek and coast clean-up programme is about to commence again in the wake of a successful effort by volunteers last year. In 2005, over 200 volunteers collected 2.5 tonnes of inorganic rubbish at 12 locations across the city.
Environmental Trust wins first community awards in Waitakere (9 Feb 2006)
An environmental trust, Keep Waitakere Beautiful won the Supreme Award at the inaugural Infratil-Waitakere City Community Awards. Affiliated with Keep New Zealand Beautiful Inc, the Trust is supported by a number of community sponsors including the Waitakere City Council.
NEW ZEALAND NEWS
Rubbish rethink: Victory for Moore (03 February 2006)
The Star, Canterbury.
City councilors have found an escape clause in their controversial decision over the future of kerbside recycling collection that may appease angry ratepayers.
Councils sued over 'illegal' taxes on waste and paper (14 February 2006)
By Gareth Vaughan
Waste Management and Carter Holt Harvey are accusing four councils of illegally trying to impose taxes on their rubbish collecting and paper recycling businesses.
In the High Court at Auckland yesterday, Waste Management lawyer Alan Galbraith, QC, said Christchurch City, Rodney District, Waitakere City and North Shore City councils were, in effect, trying to impose taxes without Parliament's approval.
Kerbside recycling on track for Wakatipu (9 February 2006)
Kerbside recycling is on track to commence in the Wakatipu Basin in the spring of this year, Queenstown Lakes District Council waste manager Dr Linda Wright said. “We are in the process now of evaluating tenders and will be conducting interviews this week,” she said.
Making more trips to the bottle or can bank will not turn the UK into a true recycling nation - the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) looks at the market for waste.
Packaging optimisation is no quick fix
With the continued upward revision of packaging recovery targets, the pressure is on all those in the supply chain to reduce the weight - and costs - of their products. But there is a lot more to packaging optimisation than just minimising materials, says Paul James, general manager of Exel's environmental compliance service.
Euro waste plan unveiled (21 December 2005)
The European Commission has unveiled its proposals to reduce waste and conserve resources
Scots waver on plastic bag tax (6 December 2005)
Plans to follow in Irish footsteps and tax plastic carrier bags handed out to shoppers have been deferred by the Scottish executive.
Grants boost UK research into less wasteful packaging (04 January 2006)
H J Heinz, Northern Foods, Geest Mariner Foods and International Food Partners (IFP) are among those granted UK public funds yesterday to develop less wasteful packaging. The current tranche of about £500,000 (€728,000) in funding from government's Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is meant to encourage food and packaging companies to invest in more environmentally friendly containers for their products.
BIG Recycle returns - UK (17 January 2006)
A campaign that aims to turn the public on to recycling is set to return for its third year. Funding is in place for the national event will see a programme of activities all over the country which will encourage the public to recycle more household waste in an attempt to push on towards the UK's 2016 municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling targets.
Lush taken to court over UK recycling certification - UK (19 January 2006)
Proof that the UK government is cracking down on compliance with packaging recycling regulations came this week after the Environmental Agency said it has fined UK cosmetics player Lush Manufacturing for failing to supply certificates of compliance.
Plastics protocol to track packing waste - UK (25 January 2006)
A voluntary protocol that gives clear guidance on keeping tabs on plastic packaging waste has been launched to restore confidence in the existing system.
Millions of trees felled for junk mail - UK (7 February 2006)
The Liberal Democrats are calling for tighter controls on direct marketing companies after jotting up the number of trees felled to fuel the industry every year.
New Zealand Paperboard & Packaging Assn – Annual General Meeting
Thursday 16th March (pm) Novotel Ellerslie, Auckland
Packaging Council of New Zealand – One Day Workshop for Marketers
Friday 24th March Pinot Orakei, Auckland
Plastics New Zealand – 62nd Annual Conference
11th-13th May Rydges Hotel, Queenstown
WasteMINZ – Two Day Workshop
16th -17th May Wairakei Resort, Taupo. Contact: info@wasteminz.org.nz for more details.
Pride In Print Awards
Friday 9th June Sky City, Auckland
Printech
11th-13th June Auckland Show Grounds, Greenlane, Auckland
PrintNZ / New Zealand Paperboard & Packaging Assn – Annual Conference
11th-14th October Wairakei, Taupo
Foodtech Packtech 2006
17th–18th October Auckland Show Grounds, Greenlane, Auckland
WasteMINZ – 18th Annual Conference
7th-9th November Hotel Grand Chancellor, Christchurch. First Announcement, Calling for Papers and Exhibitors. Contact: info@wasteminz.org.nz for more details.
Back issues of ACCORDing to Packaging are available here
We welcome and encourage those involved in bringing the Packaging Accord 2004 to life to contribute to this newsletter. Please send us your stories and comments so they can be shared with others.
| REPRESENTING MANUFACTURERS, FILLERS, BRAND OWNERS, WHOLESALERS, RETAILERS & CONSUMERS OF PACKAGING |
| Unit K, 175 Harris Road, Botany Downs, Auckland: PO Box 58899, Greenmount PHONE 09 271 4044, FAX 09 271 4041, EMAIL pac.nz@packaging.org.nz, WEB www.packaging.org.nz |