Recycling Product Stewardship Scheme accredited

Voluntary Public Place Recycling Product Stewardship Scheme to increase away from home recycling and reduce litter receives accreditation

A voluntary Public Place Recycling Product Stewardship Scheme developed by some of New Zealand’s major brand owners and packaging manufacturers was today accredited by the Minister for the Environment under the Waste Minimisation Act. The multi product scheme which is run by the Glass Packaging Forum builds on industry’s work with Local Government in developing and promoting the LoveNZ Brand over the past 3 years. It allows industry to formalise its existing commitments to increase public place recycling and reduce litter by making it easier for people to recycle packaging when they are away from home.

The scheme comprises over 30 commercial enterprises including packaging manufacturers, brand owners and retailers, quick service restaurants and venues such as petrol forecourts, airports, shopping centres and sports stadia.

Lyn Mayes, Manager of the Public Place Recycling Scheme says that the scheme builds on the collaboration established between industry and councils under the Love NZ brand.

“The Love NZ funded project showed that partnerships to increase recycling and reduce litter can achieve great outcomes. This Public Place Recycling Scheme turns a Waste Minimisation Fund project into a seven year voluntary committment funded by industry.”

“The initial scheme members are primarily those companies that have contributed under the Love NZ programme but to be equitable and successful we need the wider packaging industry supporting the voluntary levy. We already have many of the major drinks companies on board and are working with the retail, fast food and snack food sectors as their involvement is critical.”

Products and packaging covered by the scheme include alcoholic beverages and soft drinks such as juice, water and flavoured milk; fast food containers; snack foods such as confectionery, icecream, chip packs and single serve snacks; and plastic or paper carrier bags.

The scheme’s focus is on what is consumed away from home with Year One objectives to achieve more consumer awareness about recycling and reduce litter through a 20% increase in the number of permanent recycling bins; 10% increase in tonnes recycled through the commercial sector recycling bins; and increase recycling at events.

Over $13000 has already been granted to introduce recycling at events around the country with another funding round now open. Funding will also be available for community groups and organizations wanting to introduce public place recycling infrastructure.

Companies funding the scheme include brand owners such as Bell Tea, Coca Cola Amatil, DB, Frucor, Lion and Pernod Ricard Winemakers; retailers Countdown and The Warehouse; Quick Service Sector brands Burgerking and BP’s Wild Bean Cafe; and those involved in manufacturing, distributing or recycling packaging e.g. ExpressPak, Huhtamaki, TetraPak, TPI Waste Management and Packaging House.

The Love NZ Public place recycling initiative received funding from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund to increase the availability of recycling bins ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Industry has already matched dollar for dollar Government funding through investment and servicing of recycling bins, consumer awareness and promotions.

ENDS

For information

The voluntary Public Place Recycling Scheme which promotes the Love NZ brand sets out targets to collect for recycling paper, plastic, cans and glass packaging consumed in public places. This multi product scheme is owned by the Glass Packaging Forum which also manages the voluntary Glass Packaging Product Stewardship Scheme which was one of the first voluntary product stewardship schemes to receive accreditation under the Waste Minimisation Act.

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