16 November 2005

Greens launch petition to save glass milk bottles

Green Party MP Nandor Tanczos today launched a petition, initiated by the late Co-Leader Rod Donald, to try and save the South Island's iconic glass milk bottles.

Long gone in the North Island, 25,000 bottles a day still make the rounds in the South Island, but new Meadow Fresh milk owner billionaire Graeme Hart is rumoured to be planning to axe them.

"South Islanders are lucky enough to still have glass milk bottles. They are a Kiwi icon and they are much greener than disposable plastic containers," Nandor says.

"If Graeme Hart and Meadow Fresh ditch glass bottles, they will create a mountain of waste and squander vast amounts of energy. Mr Hart wants to boost his profit margin by off-loading his waste disposal costs onto ratepayers and local councils."

The move is also likely to result in the end of home delivery of milk. This service gradually disappeared in the North Island after glass milk bottles were withdrawn there.

The petition, launched in Parliament today, asks Mr Hart to reconsider his "rash move" to ditch the glass bottle for several reasons. These include:

* Milk tastes better in glass
* The humble glass bottle is environmentally responsible and makes many trips before being remade into a brand new bottle.
* Many people rely on the home delivery system - if you kill the milk bottle it will be another nail in the coffin for this service.
* Ratepayers do not want to pay for the extra recycling and disposal costs of cartons and plastic bottles.
* Cartons and plastic bottles use more energy in their production and are made partially or totally from dwindling oil supplies.
* Other countries are shifting to 'extended producer responsibility' so why are you putting your profit ahead of what's best for the community and the environment?

"Given that about one-third of all the South Island's milk is sold in glass bottles, we are expecting an overwhelming response to this petition. We hope that once Mr Hart sees this backlash against his greedy plan he may have a change of heart," Nandor says.

ENDS

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