Packaging waste in landfill is set to become a thing of the past with a commitment by The Packaging Forum's members to make all their packaging recyclable or compostable by 2025.
The pledge has beem made by packaging manufacturers, brand owners and retailers at a recent packaging industry event attended by Associate Minister for the Environment Hon Eugenie Sage.
According to the Forum's chairman Rob Langford it shows the members are taking a leadership position on packaging waste.
'We want to see comprehensive product stewardship solutions delivered by industry, in partnership with the whole supply chain, including local and central government and communities, so that there is no packaging waste going to landfill,” says Rob.
The Packaging Forum is an amalgamation of the Glass Packaging Forum, Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme and the Public Place Recycling Scheme and promotes the Government's Love NZ brand.
More than 200 companies belong to one or more of the voluntary product stewardship schemes run by the Glass Packaging Forum, Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme and the Public Place Recycling Scheme.
Rob has echoed previous comments by Minister Sage in regard to developing onshore processing solutions for recycling and composting.
'The best outcome is to keep the composting and recycling onshore. We will therefore use our position to support investment in infrastructure in New Zealand,” he says.
Advocating for the right collaborations between the public and private sectors to achieve the best possible onshore solutions for NZ's packaging waste is an important part of the commitment, says Rob.
Another critical element is making it easy for consumers to do the right thing with their end-of-life packaging.
'There is currently a lot of confusion amongst the public around what can be recycled or composted and where to do that. It's very important the process is as simple as possible, to get as much uptake as possible,” he says.
Product stewardship sees manufacturers and retailers take responsibility for their products through to the end of life. Members of the forum contribute to schemes which recycle or repurpose products like glass and soft plastic, to keep them out of landfill.
For more information about The Packaging Forum visit www.recycling.kiwi.nz
1 comment
OK.
Posted on 05-08-2018 14:00 | By Marshal
I think the time for talk is over. The public don't need to be involved seeing as they have no say in how food is processed and packaged. I have always disliked my food in plastic packaging, most of which is to make it look like there is more food in the packet than reality shows.. Manufactures and producers will change when they can see higher profits in the outcome.. In the last 50 yrs updated and improved products, usually means, either cheaper to produce or more cheaply sourced ingredients. And always a higher price as the outcome. Never tastier or more healthier food. Change will be snail paced slow, or it will require rapid increases in prices for basic commodities.. No doubt with huge amounts of consultation..
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