26 June 2007 Media Statement

Ministry welcomes retailers’ partnership to cut waste

Ministry for the Environment general manager Rachel Depree today welcomed an industry first – grocery retailers working together to reduce the number of plastic bags used by shoppers.

The Retailers Association, Progressive Enterprises and Foodstuffs today launched their ‘Make a difference’ campaign.
“It’s gratifying to see New Zealand Packaging Accord signatories taking action to reduce waste,” she said. She congratulated the trio for taking the lead and encouraged the rest of the retail industry to join in the campaign.

Ms Depree said smart waste management begins at the design of products and production systems and ends at the disposal of the product and its byproducts.

The Government plans to encourage more industries to start product stewardship schemes, such as the Packaging Accord. These schemes take a ‘cradle to the grave’ approach to managing waste. The schemes ensure that responsibility for disposing of a product, and the waste generated during its production, is shared between designers, producers and users.

“The Packaging Accord is about collaboration between industry, local and central government to reduce packaging waste. Today’s campaign launch is one of many actions being taken by industry to do their bit to reduce waste.”

Ms Depree acknowledged the role retailers have in educating and empowering consumers to reduce waste.
“Waste is everyone’s responsibility and if everyone in New Zealand reduced, reused or recycled their waste – even using just one less plastic bag each shopping trip – we will have a more sustainable nation,” she said.

“Recent research shows that a third of New Zealanders are now using reusable shopping bags. I look forward to this becoming common practice by shoppers,” said Ms Depree.

ENDS

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