PRESS RELEASE

Nelson: 13TH May 2011 EMBARGOED UNTIL 1PM

Love NZ public place recycling goes out and about in Nelson

The Glass Packaging Forum (the Forum) today hosted businesses, officials from local and central government and community groups at the launch of the Love NZ public place recycling programme in Nelson.

Whilst funding for the project from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund was announced in October by the Minister for the Environment, support from councils, industry and the service sector means that recycling facilities are now being put in 25 regions nationwide.

John Webber, General Manager of the Forum said Nelson and the wider region plays an important part in the project as a key wine growing and tourist area:

“New Zealand needs plenty of facilities on the streets and at events with 15,741 people attending Trafalgar Park Stadium and more heading along to Fanzones and REAL New Zealand Festival events during Rugby World Cup 2011. If recycling bins are in place and easily accessible people will use them.”

“At events such as the More FM Winery Tour, where the Forum sponsored recycling at the Neudorf Vineyards, and many council run events such as the Marchfest, over 75% of bottles and cans are recycled. However away from specific events it’s much more difficult to influence behaviour and so the $1 million awareness and education campaign we have launched has a simple message that a Love NZ bin is “What recycling goes in when you’re out!”
“As many communities do not have billboards, adshels or even buses, retailers and the tourism and hospitality sector are critical to the success of the programme. The Warehouse in Nelson is the first of the retailers’ 88 stores nationwide to promote Love NZ in its store. In addition the Youth Hostel Association is renewing its support for the Love NZ brand and will have Love NZ bins and poster. You will see Love NZ recycling bins at Blenheim airport and on the Interislander ferries and terminals.”

“We have set an ambitious national target this year to collect from public places 9,000 tonnes of glass, plastic and cans. I calculate the northern part of the South Island’s share to be the equivalent of recycling around 0.5 million wine bottles, 9 million plastic bottles and around 2 million cans.”

Mr Webber also congratulated Nelson for its innovative use of recycled glass. “When the teams from Australia, Italy, Russia and the USA run onto the field at Trafalgar Park, they probably won’t realise that the turf has been laid on specially crushed recycled glass which assists with its drainage.”

ENDS

For information
The Glass Packaging Forum operates one of the first voluntary product stewardship schemes which has been accredited by the Minister for the Environment as meeting the criteria set out in the Waste Minimisation Act (2008). The scheme currently covers over 80% of the glass on the market in New Zealand primarily for food and beverages and includes the major manufacturer of glass containers, brand owners and retailers. The Glass Packaging Forum has been chosen to manage this project on behalf of the wider packaged goods industry including cans and plastic drinks containers.

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