Packaging Newsletter August

August has seen the Awards for Excellence for Environmentally Acceptable Packaging for 2005 come to fruition with the awards presentation on the 26 th August. The aim of the awards is to recognise and reward those involved in the packaged goods industry who have demonstrated their commitment to minimise the environmental effects of packaging or who solicit and encourage a positive response from the public in the area of materials recovery, and those who demonstrate the environmental standards being achieved in New Zealand .

It is again encouraging to see that much is being done to ensure that the packaged goods industry proves its commitment to the philosophy of the Packaging Accord. This year's awards entries highlight product stewardship throughout the packaging life cycle, greater material and energy efficiency in the production, use and recovery of packaging, materials and supply chain initiatives that foster markets for sustainably made packaging, including more use of recovered packaging materials.

The packaged goods industry is placing greater emphasis on recovered packaging materials going into new and innovative markets along with in-house environmental impact initiatives becoming a key driver for larger organisations. The statistics of packaging waste being diverted from landfill in the entries received under the Environmental Impact category were impressive.

The Packaging Council will launch the 2007 Awards programme at Foodtech Packtech 2006.

NEW ZEALAND PACKAGING ACCORD 2004
SYNOPSIS OF THE MINUTES OF THE GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
HELD ON THE 2 AUGUST 2005

IN THE TOTARA ROOM - GRIFFINS FOODS LTD
17 SULTAN STREET - ELLERSLIE
Meeting commenced at 9:35am

Bill Bayfield − Ministry for the Environment
George Campbell − Sealed Air's Cryovac Division
Josh Gluckman − Ministry for the Environment
Viv Heslop − Local Government New Zealand
Melissa Hodd − Foodstuffs (NZ) Ltd (conference call)
Peter McElroy − Amcor Kiwi Packaging
Tony Nowell − Griffins Foods Ltd
Deb Statham − Packaging Council of New Zealand
Peter Thorne − Recycling Operators of New Zealand
John Webber − Packaging Council of New Zealand

2. APOLOGIES − none

Levy Update − Levy payments progressing well. Continuing to work with supermarket suppliers regarding their involvement.
Alternative Uses for Glass − to date enquiries have been made from roading companies, private road owners and offshore purchasers. Options are being increasingly actively pursued.
LGNZ and RONZ were commended for accommodating the levy situation constructively and with patience and goodwill. A recommendation was made to ensure both of these parties were kept in the loop at all times and that their constructive participation was recognised publicly.

The Charter has been legally reviewed; some amendments made. Signed off by the Governing Board.

Finances for year one tracking well. The Accord Year Two budget was tabled, and a financial report was received and adopted. A year two "Priorities & Actions" work programme to be developed by the end of September.

Deb Statham reported
ACCORDing to PACKAGING newsletter tracking well, positive comments
Accord website being updated.
Accord workshop held in Queenstown 26-28 May at the WASTEMINZ mini conference was well received. Thanks to sector leaders who presented.
November WasteMinz Conference early November − interesting guest speaker organised.
Annual Report Yr 1 Celebration − Celebration event (nothing extravagant - but still enjoyable) expected mid-October.
In-depth programme of workshops, education and opportunity for cross sectoral discussions is being worked on for the first quarter of 2006.

Packaging Council of New Zealand / Accord Secretariat
John Webber / Deb Statham reported
Advised the new Environmental Manager for Plastics NZ is Ket Bradshaw.
Sectors and cross sectors groups working well. Accord Annual Sector Reports had been submitted by all sectors with the exception of one.
Thermal Recovery − correspondence to be forwarded to the Ministry enquiring as to parameters / views of this process.
The Waitakere / Rodney / North Shore by-law continues to be of interest, with some members raising concerns about possible restrictions on the commercial sector.
Logo − Discussion around the possible use of Accord and recycling logos/symbols on packaging and how these might be used. Mixed feelings on this and PAC.NZ asked to submit a report on options / use / management.

Central Government (represented by MfE)
Bill Bayfield reported
Glass − the Minister is keen to see this situation resolved with a solid long term solution − supportive of work done to date.
Litter Alliance − recently established and complimentary to the Accord. Good to see PAC.NZ and some of it its members well represented.
Govt3 − Government departments are continuing to receive strong direction and encouragement to adopt the Govt3 programme.
Product Stewardship / EPR − programme being driven by MfE. Workshops being held around NZ. Product Stewardship is aligned with the principles of the Accord.

Local Government New Zealand
Viv Heslop reported
Product Stewardship − liaising with local govt working/reference group on a submission.
Glass − hosted a meeting with local govt working party/reference group, MfE and PAC.NZ to discuss industry proposal for short term solution / participation in the development of a long term solution.
Communications − critical for LGNZ to determine the best ways to communicate to the large and diverse sector - a communications plan has been drafted, and work on this is focus for the next few weeks.
Kerbside Contracts Best Practice − Local government representatives are involved in the upcoming workshop hosted by MfE.
Governing Board Representation − Susan Edwards will continue to represent LGNZ on the Governing Board until a suitable candidate is found.
Review of Progress after Year One of the Accord − Preferences around process identified.

Recycling Operators of New Zealand
Peter Thorne reported
Glass Recovery Advisory Group formed − mostly principal suppliers but not restricted to.
EBAG − work continues.
Flexible Packaging attended second meeting.
Waste Minimisation Resources Directory − work continues.
Product Stewardship − involved in the process.
Kerbside Council Workshops − attending on the 9th August.
Recyclable packaging − working with individual companies.
Membership − increased and broadened - tyres / plastics.

Sector reports in − main report being compiled − due out end Sept / early October.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 11:45am.

Awards for Excellence for Environmentally Acceptable Packaging were presented to winners at a gala dinner held at Villa Maria's winery on 26 August 2005. The Honourable Marian Hobbs presented 16 awards to outright winners and congratulated industry on their commitment to improve the sustainability of packaging.

Our thanks to the entrants who submitted 61 entries into the 10 categories. We congratulate those who took outright wins, highly commended and commended awards.

Special thanks goes to the sponsors - 3M, Amcor Flexibles, Aperio Group, ARC, British American Tobacco, Carter Holt Harvey, Coca-Cola Amatil, O-I New Zealand, the Steel Can Association of New Zealand and Vertex Pacific Limited. Our thanks to the Presentation Evening supporting sponsors - Visy Board New Zealand , Lion Nathan, DB and Living Nature. Without the philosophical and financial support of the sponsors there would be no awards programme.

Thanks too to the judges and technical advisors - Dr David Warburton (Advisor to the Packaging & Primary Industry), Tom Robertson (Massey Uni), David Russell (Consumers Inst), Allan Goddard (ARC) and Steve Dixon (MfE).

The overall SUPREME WINNER was the triple entry by VISCOUNT PLASTICS for their 23L and 47L DEEP NEST CRATES/RECRATE and the 4L EZY PAK Catering Container. More.

Amcor Flexibles Australasia CONCEPTUAL DESIGN BY A TERTIARY STUDENT was won by YEOH YING HUI of the Wanganui School of Design, for CRAFTWORKS A4 Colored Paper. More

3M New Zealand INNOVATION in DESIGN AWARD was won by ROTAFORM PLASTICS for the FOLDAWAY CRATE. More.

British American Tobacco (NZ) Ltd Award for PACKAGING SYSTEMS was won by ROTAFORM PLASTICS LTD for the FOLDAWAY CRATE. More

ther category winners can be viewed in the following "contents" of this newsletter e.g. when clicking on PAPER - the winner of the CARTER HOLT HARVEY Award for Paper will be highlighted. Alternatively go to www.packaging.org.nz/awards_winners.php

Check out the latest edition of Environz, the Ministry for the Environment's newsletter for all the latest developments at MfE.

The Ministry's popular Talk Environment Roadshow is back for another year . In mid-October, the Ministry will visit up to 14 regions to talk with business, community groups and local government about our work programme and direction. This is an opportunity for you to come along and share your views with us.

Planning for Success is a do-it-yourself kit for developing your own business plan. This publication, which replaces a previous January 2004 edition, is provided by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and is designed to help businesses with planning for success.

It is readable and practical, and encourages you to build your own business plan as you work through the text. ACCORDing to Packaging readers may be interested to know that this includes consideration of environmental issues such as resource efficiency, packaging and waste.

Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand Ltd Award for BRAND OWNERS/ RETAILERS was won by VERTEX PACIFIC LTD for PLA Cups...

The Warehouse have launched a new specification check out bag which now has 50% recycled content along with a printed "Reduce Reuse Recycle" message and a Packaging Accord Logo.

In January of this year we introduced a 20 cent rebate for customers using our reusable bag when making a purchase - instead of requiring a new plastic checkout bag. Since January just over 5000 transactions have been processed using the rebate.

We are continuing to further develop our in house waste minimisation efforts and can now report that all our major recycling centres now recover waste polystyrene previously sent to landfill.

The packaging design and procurement guidelines contained in our published Packaging Guide are being further refined to more closely conform with the principles of the Packaging Accord"

The O-I New Zealand Award for the EDUCATIONAL/PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMME ENCOURAGING MATERIALS RECOVERY was won by REAL RECYCLING for their SOLUTION and PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMME...more

The levy programme is receiving support from both direct and indirect importers and a number of alternative uses for flint cullet are being pursued some of which show considerable promise. There have been trial export shipments of unprocessed cullet from southern regions and work is proceeding on the possible export of processed cullet from Auckland . Further overseas enquiries have been received for potential unprocessed cullet use for the manufacture of products not related to packaging.

There has been a very positive approach taken by all sectors towards the sharing of information and making tangible progress with a number of meetings held. It is appreciated that we are not "quite there yet" but some signs are very encouraging.

The Auckland Regional Council Award for ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT was won by FONTERRA- HAWERA for the FONTERRA ECO-EFFICIENCY PROGRAMME...more

17/08/2005 − An award-winning paint recovery scheme piloted last year in North Shore City will be relaunched next month across the Auckland region.

The Paintwise project, run by Resene Paints - with the assistance of North
Shore City Council and Auckland Regional Council - set out to reduce the
amount of paint and packaging going to landfill.

The six-month trial, believed to be the first of its kind in New Zealand,
processed more than 20 tonnes of material and returned 2000 litres of
reusable paint, worth $20,000, to the North Shore community.

This service will now be provided continuously from a number of designated
Resene outlets throughout Auckland , the Bay of Plenty and Waikato .

The project was recognised for its environmental leadership with a Business
Environmental Leadership Award in the recently announced Auckland Regional
Council Environmental Award 2005.

North Shore City waste minimisation team leader, Bradley Nolan, says
manufacturers today need to take greater responsibility for their products.

"The Paintwise scheme sets an excellent example and we are actively
encouraging other manufacturers to follow suit," he says.

"We are especially keen to have the city's business sector apply for
WasteWise assistance."

Paintwise is part-funded by the council's WasteWise fund, which has made
$100,000 available this year to community groups, schools and businesses
implementing waste reduction programmes.

01/08/05 - The Rodney District Council has rejected the anti-junk mail bylaw adopted last month by the Waitakere and North Shore City Councils.

Those councils will from July 1 next year make it an offence to distribute advertising circulars and other unsolicited mail to letterboxes bearing "No junk mail" stickers.

Rodney was supposed to be part of a co-operative approach to reducing household waste and litter but Mayor John Law said the proposed bylaw would be impossible to administer.

Carter Holt Harvey Packaging Award for PAPER PACKAGING was won by CARTER HOLT HARVEY PACKAGING for CORRUCAP TM CORRUGATED PAPERBOARD PALLET COVER...more

Aperio Group Award for PLASTIC PACKAGING was won by VISCOUNT PLASTICS for 23L DEEP NEST POULTRY CRATE, 47L DEEP NEST RECREATE and 4L EZY PAK CATERING CONTAINER...more

The Government has awarded up to $5 million in funding to the Centre for Plastics Innovation and Technology, an initiative of The University of Auckland in collaboration with Plastics New Zealand.

The project, which aims to advance New Zealand 's plastics industry, will provide a world-class innovation centre for developing advanced polymeric materials, industry specific research, graduate and industry training, and application of leading-edge technologies in plastics processing and manufacturing.

Recycle Operators of New Zealand

Vertex Pacific Ltd Award for RECOVERED PACKAGING MATERIALS was won by RECOVERED MATERIALS FOUNDATION for RECYCLED GLASS TILES.

Steel Can Association of New Zealand Award for an INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE THE RECOVERY and RECYCLING OF PRODUCTS PACKAGED IN STEEL was won by RESENE PAINTS LTD for RESENE PAINTWISE. See story here.

22/08/05 − The Steel Can Association of New Zealand has responded to negative comparisons of New Zealand 's record in steel recovery rates with other nations. SCANZ Programme Director Bruce Gledhill points out that comparison with other countries are simplistic and misleading due to different collection methods and disposal techniques employed overseas.

"In many overseas markets, including Japan and the UK all rubbish collected is burned. Steel is recovered from the residue by magnets. Dealing with waste this way allows a high collection rate particularly when you consider that all sources of steel, not just cans, are lumped together in their figures," says Gledhill.

Waste is not currently incinerated in New Zealand . All steel cans recovered come from the kerb-side collections operated throughout the country.

SCANZ says that the 36 percent steel can recycle rate quoted for New Zealand is demonstrably low. Gledhill says "after more than 10 years of reporting we consider that our recovery rate in the Auckland metropolitan region is approaching 50%. Hands-on physical measurement studies by independent consultants suggest much higher rate are being enjoyed."

Although they dispute the accuracy of the media-reported recycle rate, the Steel Can Association believes that there are several areas where significant improvements could be achieved.

Gledhill notes that if Council waste collection contracts were consistent across the whole nation particularly in regard to the definition of acceptable materials a significant increase in recovery rates for steel cans could be achieved. Millions of large cans are landfilled each year because they are not recognised or nominated as recyclable in every Council collection service.

"For example, and in very round terms; if empty, dry, lid-off paints cans were accepted in kerb-side programs, even if only 50% of the annual paint can consumption was set out by the public, then the NZ steel recycling rate would increase by almost 5%. Similarly; if councils and contractors welcomed large cans, such as olive oil and baby-food cans, the rate would increase another 3%," says Gledhill.

Litter costs Bay $140,000
Litterbugs using the Western Bay as their personal rubbish tip are costing ratepayers up to $140,000 a year and ruining the region's clean green image.

The above would suggest that the creation of the Litter Alliance embracing local government, central government and the commercial sector is well timed as strategies to improve the position are developed. Fundamental in the process is the revitalizing of Keep New Zealand Beautiful as the organisation to provide deliverables at a community level. KNZB has made considerable progress to re-position itself and has received considerable encouragement from the Ministry for the Environment and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.

On 1 st July Australian Environment Ministers signed the new Australian Packaging Covenant. Challenging new targets have been set. The new Covenant, unlike its predecessor, sets targets to be achieved by 2010. The system has many similarities with our own Packaging Accord.

An "overarching" national recycling target of 65% has been set for used packaging. This is not exclusively an industry target but one applicable to all sectors including companies in the packaging supply chain, waste collectors, local governments, recyclers and all Commonwealth, State and Territory governments.

Within this 65% national recycling target, the contribution from specific materials has been set as follows: paper and cardboard (70-80%); glass (50-60%); steel (60-65%); aluminium (70-75%); and plastics (30-35%).

Provision also exists to increase the recycling of "non-recyclable" packaging to a 25% target.

Read more about the Australian Packaging Covenant, its development and how it will be operating here