autumn 2017 Edition 10

The Packaging Word is the official publication of The Packaging Forum | packagingforum.org.nz

editorial Alistair Sayers Chair The Packaging Forum

Over the summer New Zealanders Through our Public Place Recycling This year we are kicking off a and around 500,000 international and Glass Packaging schemes national Litter Less Recycle More visitors enjoy our beaches, lakes we have supported recycling and campaign partnering with Be a and national parks and go to waste management at over 30 Tidy Kiwi and with the support of concerts, festivals and sports events including The Winery Tour, many councils around the country. events around the country. Northern Bass, ASB Tennis, Taupo We will develop a consumer Summer also presents real Cycle Challenge, Splore, Sounds awareness campaign which will challenges to waste management Splash, Portobello Blues Festival, encourage consumer to the right and whilst many of us may have Marlborough Wine Festival and NZ thing. We are also looking to our the opportunity to take a summer Trail Runs. The average recycling rate members to support this through break, the waste industry is at its across these events is now at 79%. their own media platforms and busiest. In seaside and tourist areas thereby increase our reach to the The numbers show our schemes are there is a massive 400% increase community. making a difference. in waste. Drinks sales increase to 1. The glass recycling rate is 73% We will trial smart technology three times above normal levels. and equivalent to the European bins in key tourist regions. New My personal experience of visiting average; technology means that collection Resource Opotiki’s recovery and servicing costs can be reduced. 2. Over 69% drinks containers are centre’s in the Bay of Plenty was The project will help implement recycled; of a totally committed and well guidelines, developed in conjunction 3. Around 175 million cartons were run facility. Definitely a place to go with local authorities about the best recycled last year in Public Place back to! practice selection and installation Bins through the PPRS Scheme; of litter and recycling bins. Whilst double the number of drinks and in its first year containers are recycled over 64% of the Top 100 Litter Brands 4. 100 tonnes of soft plastic summer, we know that thousands of in New Zealand are already PPRS packaging were dropped off for bottles and cans end up in rubbish members and we are working hard recycling at stores. bins because of the high demands to convert the remainder. The on the hospitality sector. That’s Our members are also consumers, Packaging Forum and its schemes why it’s so important that we work rate payers and tax payers who are committed to keeping our with venues and event organisers to have joined a voluntary product country clean and green. improve the quality of collections stewardship scheme so they can We are very excited about this new separating glass containers contribute to improving recycling campaign which will see us working by colour where possible and and reducing litter. None of us want with Keep New Zealand Beautiful facilitating better systems for back to see our brands littered on our and encourage all members to get of house teams. beaches, reserves or roads. involved. Opinion Piece | malcolm alexander chief Executive Local Government New Zealand

“Under current estimates, by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than there are fish.”

MORE ACTION NEEDED ON PLASTICS

Earlier this year the government container deposit system to levy on plastic bags introduced in proposed a ban on products decrease the number of recyclable the United Kingdom, with money containing plastic microbeads, beverage containers going to collected going to charities, led to a step we and many others landfill or not being recycled an 85 per cent reduction in plastic welcomed. was passed with overwhelming bag use and raised £29m ($50.4m) support. In 2015 a remit calling for charity in six months. This proposal follows the for a compulsory levy at the point introduction in 2015 by The We think the development of a of sale to act as a deterrent and Packaging Forum of a recycling mandatory product stewardship reduce the total number of single system to handle soft plastics like scheme for bottles would also use plastic bags produced was shopping bags, bread bags, frozen reduce the environmental impact also strongly supported. food bags and food wrap. Tangible of these products. steps like this aimed at improving It is clear to us that more work When launching the microbeads the environment are positive and is needed and we think Kiwis are proposal Environment Minster Nick should be applauded. open to these sorts of initiatives. Smith told media: “Under current Plastic bags cause harm in their However based on the response to estimates, by 2050, there will be creation, when they go to landfill the microbeads announcement it more plastic in the ocean than and when they are littered. seems New Zealanders are keen on there are fish.” further steps to reduce the impact While efforts to make recycling As a country we should be doing of single use plastics from the bags easier are excellent, actually much more to keep plastics out environment. deterring people from using them of our marine environment and in the first place has been shown Remits proposed at LGNZ’s last landfills. to be successful overseas, with two conferences show the local levies on plastic bags introduced government sector also thinks in Denmark, Ireland and China more work is needed to reduce, leading to a dramatic reduction in reuse and recycle. plastic bag use. Last year a remit calling for a It has been reported that a 5p (9c) national-mandated beverage hot off the press! education

Tread Lightly Caravan

The Packaging Forum has allocated $15,000 to the Tread Lightly Caravan to build on its 2016 school’s education programme and bring awareness of recycling to its school’s programme.

In addition, Tread Lightly will continue its soft plastics recycling awareness. Dawson Primary School, Otara, is the first of sixteen schools in the Auckland region to participate in the Tread Lightly BLENHEIM PUBLIC Packaging scheme and Love NZ, the Caravan’s Soft Plastics Recycling PLACE RECYCLING BINS grant arrived in time for the busy summer holiday season. Programme this year. Red and yellow wheelie bins The Tread Lightly Caravan’s Soft reappeared around central SPLORE FESTIVAL Plastics Recycling Programme, Blenheim and Picton for the FIRTH OF THAMES proudly supported by Asaleo Care summer recycling programme. The Marlborough District Council Regular segment: The Green Desk and the Soft Plastics Recycling repeated its summer trial of the with Lily Peacock. 95bFM, Auckland programme, aims to support schools in the Auckland region to brightly coloured plastic bins which Interview with Fred Kublikowski were funded by the Public Place event manager and Sophie Barclay undertake soft plastics recycling Recycling scheme in 2015 before sustainability manager, Splore. and to increase the awareness of deciding whether to put in more Barclay says education is a big part students, school staff and families permanent recycling bins. of the role and that they have been of soft plastic recycling. Schools WAIHI focussing on educating vendors are being provided with a large soft and working with the Glass plastics recycling bin, like the ones Western Bay of Plenty District Packaging scheme to educate found at supermarkets and the Council has been granted funding people about how amazing glass Warehouse, smaller bins for each to extend its glass collecting is and the importance of colour of their classrooms and posters system by 10 bins in three local separation. Splore promotes glass and flyers to help students and areas — Katikati, Te Puke and as being 100% recyclable and great teachers to sort their soft plastics Athenree with an additional six for the environment. bins at Athenree to cover holiday correctly. bit.ly/2mqSZvm periods. With thanks to the Glass

Under our Licensing Agreement with the Ministry for the Environment, The Packaging Forum and members of our accredited schemes are eligible to use the Love NZ brand in accordance with the Style Guide and with prior written consent from the MFE.

Please contact donna@packagingforum. org.nz for more information. packagingforum.org.nz | glasspackagingforum.org.nz | recycling.kiwi.nz

PERSPECTIVES ON POLICY

LOCAL glass, metal and plastic collections of plastic containers). containers. Advocates The recycling rate for beverage GOVERNMENT containers in South Australia is remind us of the days 1 BACKS A NEW 76.5% . when CDL was in place CONTAINER Introducing a 10 cents deposit on in the 1950s where a beverage containers would cost DEPOSIT TAX penny per beer bottle $75 million per year and will put There has been news and three pennies per the cost of drinks containers up by coverage about soft drink bottle was the 13.5 cents (deposit plus handling fee). $75 million to increase the standard refund payout proposals for a recycling rate by 7% makes no container deposit by dairy owners. economic sense. legislation (CDL) Drinks containers are around The Packaging returning within the 25–30% of kerbside recycling Forum says next two years to try to collections so councils will still stop dumping of waste Over 69% beverage containers need to provide collections and are recycled in New Zealand a tax will impact the economic materials through having (this doesn’t include commercial viability of the recycling industry. a 10 cents payback on collections and hospitality 1 bit.ly/2m9PYyx

PROJECTS & INITIATIVES Round up on Events

The Glass Packaging scheme has again Sounds Splash and Taupo Challenge in funded glass collections at the ASB Tennis, partnership with Clean Events and Green Winery Tour, Marlborough Wine Festival Shoot Pacific. and the Splore Festival with a clear focus The Public Place Recycling scheme has on ensuring quality glass is collected for also allocated funds to Marlborough remanufacture into glass containers. Summer events; NZ Tarawera Ultra and the Over the summer, The Packaging Forum’s Portabello Blues Festival. schemes have helped deliver an average

79% waste diversion at the Auckland The new Clean Events bins funded by the Packaging Marathon, Northern Bass, Coldplay, Forum are making a real difference at events Investment in Infrastructure

In 2016, the Packaging Forum Grants from the Glass Packaging Seven new stores in Queenstown allocated $940,000 to projects scheme and the Public Place Lakes District and Wanaka started around the country to increase Recycling scheme have been the service in February. QLDC recycling through its three made to Marlborough District was added to the programme voluntary product stewardship Council to allow for expansion of following discussions with Smart schemes. Applications for funding rural community recycling into Environmental and council. Smart can be downloaded on recycling. Waihopai. Environmental collects from stores, kiwi.nz/resources South Island bales the soft plastic bags and is backhauling the bales to Ashburton The Public Place Recycling Scheme Glass – Creating a Wastebusters. steering committee has approved Christchurch Hub changes to the funding of events For years, the logistics of getting PURCHASE PRODUCTS to continue to raise the bar with glass from the South Island has MADE FROM OUR SOFT regards to waste minimisation. been very difficult. As a first step PLASTIC PACKAGING From 1 April, applicants for funding it was decided to establish a glass for events will need to advise how Products made from the bag hub in Christchurch. The Kaikoura they will manage waste at events collections can be purchased via earthquake has vastly increased through activations at recycling our website recycling.kiwi.nz/soft- the difficulties of transporting stations or post event sortation. plastics/products glass by rail and hastened the completion of the work on the hub including the purchase of a dedicated loader which can fill containers for despatch by sea. At the same time a number of wineries in the Queenstown Lake District Council would like Ruapehu to have their glass appropriately Nine sets of recycling and litter bins collected for the manufacture of have been installed in Taumarunui with new bottles with shipment via the an additional three bins to be installed in Christchurch hub. While QLDC are Ohakune. yet to determine the structure of their glass collection programme, Council has been supportive of the glass bottle banks placed at Five Mile Centre which will also benefit from the operation of the Christchurch Hub. Marlborough is now next for serious consideration with respect to the collation of glass loads.

Construction of 5R glass bunkers at Christchurch Hub MEMBER NEWS

The Packaging Forum's Love NZ soft plastic programme THE FORUM was officially launched by Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim WOULD LIKE TO Boult at Countdown supermarket in Frankton. WELCOME OUR ``I think it's good that Queenstown shoppers can recycle soft plastic NEW MEMBERS is at the forefront of a challenging such as plastic bags, bread bags recycling programme. I'd like to and frozen vegetable wrappers. glass packaging scheme say to the Queenstown district Smart Environmental then Panhead please play your part in this for collects the plastic and takes it to Tuatara Brewing Company the benefit of our environment,'' Christchurch. It is then shipped to Mr Boult said. In honour of the new Melbourne company Replas, which public place recycling programme, a seat made from the turns it into bollards, traffic speed Columbus Coffee equivalent of 16,250 plastic bags bumps, decking and furniture. Innocent Packaging was donated to Queenstown by Kathmandu and LuluLemon in Z Energy The Packaging Forum. Bins are Queenstown have also committed now placed at Countdown, Fresh to the programme. soft plastic programme Choice, New World, Pak'n Save and Otago Daily Times Coveris Four Square in Arrowtown, where bit.ly/2nEAaWK LuluLemon Heinz Watties 1-Day At the Queenstown launch Penny Garland, representing The Glass DB Export has launched a Packaging Forum, took the opportunity new beer bottle sand promotion to show Mayor Jim Boult the glass bottle which will recycle used bottles banks which are placed near Countdown not suitable for processing into at the Five Mile Centre. These facilities new glass containers to make a allow residents to drop off their glass man-made sand — an effort the company hopes will help encourage containers which will be shipped to people to increase their glass Auckland for remanufacture into new recycling efforts. glass bottles. Kathmandu’s head office named Papa Kainga, a one year old five star green star rated building for efficiency and sustainability in Christchurch’s Innovation Precinct, has installed Method Recycling’s 60 litre, 100% recyclable polypropylene bins. Three stations of three bins are located on each of the headquarters’ three floors. Kathmandu realises the importance of doing the best it possibly can to protect and enhance the environment in everything it does. For example soft plastics such as bubble-wrap now joins the soft plastic recycling scheme. COFFEE CORNER

Kim Renshaw, Managing Director, Beyond the Bin is surveying compost facilities around the country to identify those which can currently take compostable cups. Coffee cup manufacturers, distributors and leading brands have provided details about cup composition.

Key issues arising are:

• Volume needs to be managed as facilities may not be able to cope with thousands of cups all at one time. three major events Night Rhea Deacon of Cultivate Waste • Contamination with non-compostable Noodle Markets, Sparks and the says her dream would be to packaging or waste. Christchurch Lantern Festival in have a waste free CBD, city and Hagley Park to implement a trial eventually country. “It is not hard Clear identification to process event waste at a local to use compostable products compost facility. The food vendors and there are a lot out there. We Recyclers and compost facilities at these events are required to use would love more awareness around have asked that cups are clearly Ecoware’s compostable packaging compostable cups and who provides labelled to identify those which are which has been pre-approved by a them as well as how to properly compostable/PLA lined and those local composting facility and the deal with them. We ask cafes to which are paper/plastic based. council. The aim of the initiative encourage their customers to bring The working group is considering is to vastly increase the diversion back their Innocent Packaging the best identification symbol and rate of event waste from landfill to products and put them into a bin placement on cup. If you would like composting. If the trial is successful, that we collect so the packaging to be part of this programme please the opportunity will be available can properly compost down.” contact us. to extend it to other internal and facebook.com/CultivateChCh/ external events produced by COMPOSTING Christchurch City Council. WAIHEKE ISLAND, WAIHEKE HOME GROWN (WHG) AT EVENTS CULTIVATE WASTE IN Chief composter Richard Wallis It’s easier to find compost solutions CHRISTCHURCH is passionate about educating for events where event organisers Cultivate Waste collects organic our manufacturers and has been make sure that only compostable waste from cafes and restaurants testing cups and other packaging cups are sold and organise a in Christchurch city centre using an through their unique compost bin, collection system which takes them electric bike and trailer to transport which regularly hits temperatures away at the end. organic bins to the Cultivate facility of 60–80ºC. WHG have been where the waste is processed and BOLD INITIATIVE IN collecting organic waste (including turned into compost which grows CHRISTCHURCH TO PLA lined cups, PLA clear cups Cultivate’s wonderful fresh produce. COMPOST WASTE FROM and CPLA coffee lids) from around Cultivate Waste has collaborated MAJOR EVENTS 130 households in Surfdale every with Innocent Packaging and are week and composting these at a Christchurch City Council, in now able to compost this packaging local public hall. The concept is to partnership with their packaging along with meat, citrus peels and compost locally with lots of small supplier Ecoware have selected other organic waste. compost sites, meaning the process around the world

other purposes. It includes the of composting is maintained at a IN EUROPE very high standard. This model also reprocessing of organic material but creates jobs. Richard and his team Separating glass out at does not include energy recovery aspire to compost all of Waiheke’s source saves money: New and the reprocessing into materials organic waste. research shows switching that are to be used as fuels or for backfilling operations. Global Coffee Culture to source separated The EU target is 75% packaging Coffee shop chain has rolled collections could save recycling rate by 2030 and a 65% out a pioneering cup recycling scheme to Welsh councils over a overall waste recycling rate. more than 2000 of its stores across the UK. million pounds a year Instead of using traditional front-of-house Recovery includes recycling, energy This research, Harmonised Recycling recycling bins, Costa is now encouraging recovery and backfilling where it Collections Costs Project: Phase customers to leave their coffee cups substitutes other materials that are on the side or hand them into a barista, One, commissioned by the Welsh not waste. where they will be taken back-of-house Government, shows that switching by Costa staff and stored upside down on to source separated recycling bit.ly/P5cbtB dedicated racks, to ensure they are free collections could save Welsh from contamination. The cups are then councils over £1 million a year. backhauled to one of Veolia’s commercial IN USA The report compares source hubs. Here, they are baled up ready for Recycling Economic separated kerbside collections treatment at paper pulping facilities, which Information (REI) Report recover the fibre and separate the polymer to co-mingled and two stream In November 2016, US EPA plastic liner from the cup. The cups are collections and finds that the pulped and eventually turned into moulded former offers the most cost- released The Recycling Economic fibre products such as coffee cup holders effective approach to achieving Information (REI) Report which and egg boxes, completing the circular high recycling rates. Three types of aims to increase the understanding economy process. dry recycling collections based on of the economic implications of the principal schemes in operation material reuse and recycling. The A scheme to boost in were modelled: co-mingled REI report was a ground breaking disposable coffee collections with single use bags as national study demonstrating cup recycling has containers; a twin stream collection the economic value of recycling been launched in the (glass collected separately) with a and reuse to the US economy. City of London. box for glass and single use bags Compiled through a cooperative for containers; source separated agreement with the National The City of London Corporation, collection using two boxes and one Recycling Coalition, the study in conjunction with Network Rail, reusable bag as containers. confirmed what many have known coffee chains and some employers, for decades: there are significant are introducing dedicated coffee cup bit.ly/2lM7XIJ economic benefits in recycling. recycling facilities in offices, shops EU packaging recovery America’s recycling and reuse and streets. Simply Cups is currently working with Costa, rates activities accounted for 757,000 jobs, produced $36.6 billion in and McDonald’s, collecting cups from The average EU packaging collection a few of their stores on a trial basis. wages and generated $6.7 billion rate is 79% with a recycling rate of Meanwhile, is trialling a fully in tax revenues in 2007, based on 65%. Recycling is defined as any recyclable coffee cup — the Frugalpac the most recent census data. It recovery operation by which waste — which could eventually divert huge will be interesting to see if this materials are reprocessed into numbers of cups away from landfill. study work is retained under new products, materials or substances administration. whether for their original or

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