MEDIA RELEASE

Councils hopeful glass recycling can continue

For immediate release on 3 May 2005

“A resolution to glass recycling issues is needed urgently so councils can decide whether glass collection is still feasible in their communities,” says Local Government New Zealand’s President Basil Morrison.

The local government sector is keen to see the outcomes of ongoing industry discussions on the best way forward for glass recycling.

“We are disappointed that key players in the glass and recycling industries have been unable to agree on a resolution so far,” said Mr Morrison.

Mr Morrison says that issues surrounding glass recycling have concerned councils since a decision late last year by ACI Glass to reduce the price paid to their suppliers for recovered glass. This means many councils face difficult decisions on how to manage costs associated with the ongoing collection of recyclables.

“We would like industry to play a greater part in the recovery of glass in New Zealand. This is a key element of the New Zealand Packaging Accord 2004. We have asked the industry to help with a solution to continue glass recycling that is cost-effective for councils.

“Excellent work has been done to educate people about the importance of recycling. Recycling programmes have been very successful across the country. If we have to tell people now that they can no longer recycle glass in some areas, much of that good work may be undone,” said Mr Morrison.

Key glass players and the Governing Board of the Packaging Accord are meeting later this week to discuss the matter further.

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