Packaging Council elects new President

Packaging Council elects Progressive Enterprise’s Mark Brosnan as its new President

At its Annual General Meeting in Auckland this evening, the Packaging Council elected Mark Brosnan, General Manager Merchandise, Packaged Goods for Progressive Enterprises Ltd, as its new President.

For the first time in the organisation’s 15 year history both senior positions are held by representatives from brand owners and retailers with the selection of David Carter, Group Environment and Technical Projects Manager for Lion Nathan as Vice-President, reflecting the importance which these two groups have on addressing changing consumer attitudes to sustainable packaging.

Brosnan, who has 27 years experience in the New Zealand supermarket industry, takes over the helm at a time when environmental issues are in the forefront of consumer’s minds. Brosnan said that the Packaging Council, through its early adoption of voluntary product stewardship when it signed the Packaging Accord with government in 2004, is an exemplar for other industry groups but must continue to show leadership:-

“At the time we signed the Accord, I don’t think we could have predicted the intense scrutiny that the packaging industry and the Accord would come under. As an industry, we have made good progress but we have also had to address along the way a range of issues which have a direct impact on us. Our role is increasingly one of communication and advocacy.”

“There has been much debate evolving from the Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill which will continue throughout the year with the announcement that the select committee will not now report back until the end of October. This delay illustrates the complexity in finding a solution.”

“Whilst philosophically, there is widespread support for this Bill, industry is rightly concerned that the economic implications should be as well understood as the social and environmental outcomes. What concerns me is the impact that waste levies will have on those businesses who are not already motivated to reduce waste going to landfill. The thought process may be that the levy has been paid to solve the problem so why should I do any more by committing to voluntary initiatives? The collective response from our members in making positive changes within the voluntary framework of the Accord sends a powerful message about what is possible, without regulatory intervention and associated costs.”

As part of its commitment under the Packaging Accord, the grocery retail sector this week announced a joint initiative to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags. One third of shoppers now use eco bags and uptake is increasing. Brosnan believes that this icon product is a clear message from shoppers that they support recycling and waste minimisation and raises the stakes for industry:

“Ultimately shoppers will drive the demand for sustainable products including the type of packaging and will require that these are recyclable and that local councils provide consistent recycling around the country. Early adopters are well entrenched in this thought process already. As the mainstream of shoppers adopt the same attitude, we will need to ensure that manufacturers of packaging, brand owners and retailers are meeting the consumer demand.”

“Our code of practice for sustainable packaging is the standard for packaged goods and we will be increasingly self-policing because if we don’t, others will do it for us. But we must not lose sight of the fact that packaging is there to protect and preserve products and without it there would be much greater waste. So the Packaging Council will continue to promote the positive benefits of sustainable packaging.”

Paul Curtis, Executive Director of the Packaging Council paid tribute to outgoing President Lawrence Olsen, General Manager Commercial for Aperio Group Australasia for his leadership through the early years of the Packaging Accord during his three year tenure as President.

ends

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