WASTE REDUCTION SCHEMES TO GET MORE TEETH
The Ministry for the Environment released yesterday (7.07.05) the anticipated discussion document on PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP & WATER EFFICIENT LABELING. This represents the beginning of the Ministry for the Environment's formal consultation.
WHAT IS PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP?
Product Stewardship, otherwise known as EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY , involves producers, brand owners, importers, consumers and others handling products to help manage the environmental effects of products through their lifecycle.
To download a copy of the discussion document click here
This document, signaled under the New Zealand Waste Strategy indicates the direction and preference of Government to continue with voluntary, industry-led product stewardship schemes - it also introduces a backstop option of legislation to make schemes mandatory where appropriate.
From the PACKAGING COUNCIL's perspective it does provide some positives in supporting effective voluntary initiatives and identifying the issue of how free-riders maybe addressed.
Most members of the Packaging Council are likely to be affected in the event that the appropriate regulatory mechanisms are adopted.
KEY ISSUES POINTS ARE:
• Obligations placed on producers (incl Brand Owners) and consumers in dealing with the costs associated with waste packaging
• Ongoing support for effective voluntary industry led initiatives such as the NZ Packaging Accord
• The development of regulatory procedures to address those sectors and/or operations which are not participating in industry based initiatives
• Encouragement of improvements in product design, consumer information, recovery programmes and the utilisation of recycled content in manufacture.
DEFINITION OF WASTE:
(see Page 1 Point 1.1 Paragraph 1)
Waste is "any material, solid, liquid or gas, that is unwanted and / or unvalued, and discarded or discharged by its owner" (Ministry for the Environment 2002 : 7). Almost every activity using materials and energy creates waste.
PRESS RELEASES
Minister - Marian Hobbs
www.beehive.govt.nz
Green Party - Mike Ward
www.greens.org.nz
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 31 AUGUST 2005
MfE will be holding a series of consultation meetings with industry members in August.
Any questions please contact John Webber - 09 271 4044 or email j.webber@packaging.org.nz or Deb Statham - d.statham@packaging.org.nz| 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 |