winter 2018 Edition 15

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

EDITORIAL Rob Langford Chair The Packaging Forum

HE RECYCLING industry percentages of glass cullet (recycled compost their packaging and around the world is in turmoil. glass) in its wine bottles in the world as is evident from the “pass on TChina’s decision to stop taking which we can rightly be proud of. plastic” campaigns, they expect the world’s paper and plastic We are also extremely proud that brands to take responsibility. It is waste has seen tonnes of paper in renewing the accreditation of the not enough for companies to say and plastic building up at recycle Glass Packaging Recycling Scheme, that “our packaging is recyclable”. centres around the country. the Minister acknowledged the The container/packaging may be Recycling contracts for councils important contribution it makes to recyclable but only if we put in and for commercial businesses waste minimisation. place and help fund the systems to are based on the collector recycle it. This is the same for new Following investment by Flight generating revenue from the sale compostable packaging which needs Plastics and the Waste Minimisation of the collected materials. With the right collection and processing Fund, there is now domestic the world’s recyclers vying for systems in place to allow it to be processing of clear PET bottles processing markets, the cost of composted, otherwise it simply and trays into recycled PET food recycling has gone up and the value becomes another waste stream. containers. This plant has the of the materials has gone down. I urge you to read the discussion capacity to take all the clear PET paper by the Waste Management Minister Sage has committed recycled at kerbside around New Institute of New Zealand to supporting more onshore Zealand as demand for RPET (WasteMINZ) Rebooting Recycling. processing facilities in New Zealand packaging increases. What we need What can Aotearoa do? through the latest round of the urgently are domestic processing Waste Minimisation Fund. This plants that can take mixed paper; We’re learning all the time. As is welcome. There is alignment coloured PET plastic 1; and plastics managers of the soft plastic across industry, local and central 2-7 or to transition away from using recycling scheme, we are now part government that New Zealand must these materials. of the collection and recycling invest in its own recycling solutions service industry and we fund the For our existing processors, we need so that it is not reliant on overseas costs from members’ fees. There to improve the quality of collected markets. is no commercial value to post- materials so that they receive paper, consumer soft plastic materials Last month Minister Sage visited glass and PET of the right quality and increasingly we will pay the Auckland’s Materials Recovery and the minimum waste. The best processor to take the waste. Over Facility at Visy and the glass results come from single stream 70% of New Zealanders have access manufacturing plant at O-I NZ collection systems. We also need to to the service and we are committed in Penrose to follow the process look at the logistics of moving waste to sustaining this and expanding of how waste glass containers around the country to the end user. it further. In May, Minister Sage collected from kerbside around This is not someone else’s problem, also approved the accreditation of New Zealand are remanufactured we must own the solution. the soft plastics recycling scheme into glass bottles. New Zealand Consumers want to recycle or under the Waste Minimisation Act. boasts one of the highest packagingforum.org.nz | glasspackagingforum.org.nz | recycling.kiwi.nz

To make the scheme sustainable we to make this economically viable. need to develop onshore processing We need to work with the recycling hot off solutions and start buying the and composting industry to ensure products made from our recycled that the packaging which we use the press! waste to create demand. is recyclable or compostable in New Zealand. RADIO LIVE The government and a number COMPOSTABLE of New Zealand and international The Packaging Forum is in the unique companies have signed a declaration situation of operating and managing PACKAGING JUST to reduce plastic packaging waste three accredited voluntary product AS DETRIMENTAL AS focussing on the redesign of stewardship schemes. We now PLASTIC BAGS? packaging so it contains recycled need to up our game and make materials and is recyclable or changes to our packaging so that it bit.ly/RadioLive-compostable- compostable by 2025. aligns with what can be processed packaging here and help develop our onshore At our AGM in July we will set You can’t just throw all processors by changing our our members a challenge for compostable packaging away procurement practices so that we “all packaging to be recyclable and expect it to biodegrade. Kim buy packaging and products that and diverted from landfill by contain New Zealand recycled Renshaw from Beyond the Bin 2025”. To achieve this will require materials. joins James Coleman on First@5 changes to packaging design but to discuss New Zealand’s need to as importantly the availability of We invite you to join us and help us facilitate compostable packaging. processing plants for recyclables invest in the solution. Ms Renshaw acts as an independent and for compostable packaging Nga Mihi and the logistics networks in place facilitator for the Packaging Forum’s Working group. radio rhema perspectives | hon. LET’S PUT LITTER leader of the opposition IN ITS PLACE bit.ly/Rhema-LPLIIP

In an effort to make recycling and waste management more effective, Wellington has installed new bins as part of the Let’s Put Litter in its Place campaign. Andrew Urquhart talks with Public Place Recycling Scheme Manager Lyn Mayes about this initiative. newstalkzb KERBSIDE RECYCLING BINS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT FOR TAURANGA HEN THE Volvo Ocean Plastic campaign throughout the Race sailed into Auckland eight months of the race. bit.ly/Newstalk-Tauranga-kerbside earlier this year, one of W The one thing we can be sure of Tauranga City Council turned to the the yachts was Turn the Tide on is that change is inevitable, and Glass Packaging Forum for help, and Plastic. we need to evolve our thinking it has now stumped up $165,000. The team’s mission is to amplify around the impact we have on the The money will cover around the United Nations Environment’s environment. quarter of the cost of providing Clean Seas: Turn the Tide on continues on next page kerbside, glass-only recycling bins. hot off the press!

Adele Rose says kerbside recycling is the overwhelming preference of people living in Tauranga, with older people especially struggling I congratulate the Packaging Forum Since 2008 our greenhouse gas and its members for its leadership emissions have fallen, despite a with heavy boxes of empties. She in packaging product stewardship growing economy and a growing says the council is purchasing which is recognised by the three population. 52,000 bins and residents will voluntary product stewardship schemes which it operates. That’s a big deal, but now we need receive instructions on how to use to shrink emissions even further. As Leader of the National Party, them before kerbside recycling I want us to focus more on I want us to take the politics out resumes in October. environmental issues. of climate change and work with other parties to make meaningful I’ve charged our environment MPs, NINE TO NOON led by Scott Simpson, , progress on climate change. MINISTER INCLINED Sarah Dowie and That’s why I wrote to the Prime TOWARDS BAN ON with the task of modernising our Minister and Minister for Climate approach to environmental issues. Change, offering to work with PLASTIC BAGS New Zealand is a successful, them to establish a non-political bit.ly/RNZ-ban-on-bags prosperous, confident country, Climate Change Commission. filled with people and businesses Associate Minister for the Getting cross-party agreement that can foot it with the best in the Environment says she’s world. will be challenging and require compromises on both sides. inclined towards a ban on plastic But in a hundred years, when we’re But the prize is too great not all long gone, National wants our bags, but work is still underway. to try, and the consequences grandchildren to be living in a New Plastic bags and their eco-friendly on our economy, jobs and the Zealand that is still the envy of alternatives have been in the the world, because of its stunning environment are too serious if we natural environment as well as its don’t do so responsibly. spotlight following Countdown’s prosperity. Of course, simply establishing a first 10 supermarkets going plastic Climate change is one of Climate Change Commission isn’t free, and The Warehouse choosing the world’s most serious sufficient — there will be ongoing to switch to compostable bags. environmental challenges, and I debate and differing views about But there are criticisms about the am committed to ensuring New the specific policy choices that Zealand plays its part. will be taken to reduce emissions. lack of standards around what compostable materials should be We want to find sensible and National believe a sustainable, practical solutions to climate pristine environment and a strong made of. Ms Sage said she would change that are science-based economy that creates jobs and make announcements on plastic and won’t harm our economy lifts incomes can and must go or drive up the cost of living for bags by the end of the year. As hand in hand. New Zealanders. part of this decision, Ms Sage said The previous National Government Addressing climate change isn’t compostable plastic bags could also easy. We all know that. But I want signed New Zealand up to the Paris be banned because they can cause agreement with the challenge of our grandchildren to know that all reducing emissions to 30 per cent of us have done what we can to more problems than they solve if not less than 2005 levels by 2030. protect the environment. disposed of correctly. MEEGAN JONES, Sustainability Programme Manager, Volvo Ocean Race

TURNING THE TIDE ON services, we still saw a large materials (by volume) placed in the volume travel to the site in the PLASTIC – THANKS general waste bins was actually hands of visitors. Plastic lined either recycle or food waste which AUCKLAND coffee cups were also a major could be composted. The mixed waste stream making its way to It was a pleasure for Volvo Ocean recycling bins didn’t fair as badly the race village. Race to stop over in Auckland, with 15% (by volume) incorrectly where the materials recovery and We collected as much soft plastic placed. Clean Event NZ’s back event waste management services as possible, separate from other of house triage recovered any are well advanced. recyclable material, to save the incorrectly placed material. MRF the trouble of entanglement We were able to engage with Overall more than 80% of and so that we can assess the The Packaging Forum through materials that went through the actual plastic footprint of our the soft plastic programme and race village. We collected about race village bins was recyclable really loved the detailed materials 500kg of soft plastic, collected or compostable and we believe segregation that Clean Event NZ by Abilities for recycling. We that almost 100% of it was do onsite — a back of house ‘waste also conducted waste audits of successfully segregated for triage’ to make sure all material the bins to see what the level of onward re-processing. A fantastic streams are separated correctly compliance was by patrons. result, which mostly falls on the before their onward journey, shoulders of George from Clean The brilliantly designed event bins and of course their excellently used by Clean Event NZ funded by Event NZ and their amazing crew designed event waste bins. The Packaging Forum are some of onsite headed up by the energetic We have a special focus on the best I’ve seen. But sadly the Peter! At the end of the day it’s reducing single-use plastic, and visitors to the race village still this individual passion that makes while none was provided or sold managed to put the wrong thing all the systems and planning onsite through food and beverage in the bins. More than 60% of the actually work.

LET’S PUT LITTER IN ITS PLACE IT’S JUST HOW WE DO THINGS AROUND HERE

New standardised bin designs are being introduced We’re now looking for organisations to be part of the by councils as part of an on-going commitment to next phase piloting smaller sized bins in tourist regions encourage people to dispose of their waste easily and and high foot traffic areas. correctly and to increase recycling. The new bins include wireless technology that increases the effectiveness of Contact: The Packaging Forum collection logistics. Early results show much reduced [email protected] contamination of the recycling bins. Recycling.kiwi.nz investment in infrastructure

rebooting recycling WHAT CAN AOTEAROA DO?

As referenced in theA editorial,discussion paperThe presented report’s authors by set out the need the discussion paperthe prepared Waste Management for voluntary Institute product stewardship of New Zealand (WasteMINZ) by WasteMINZ identifies the schemes to become more NORTH SHORE DHB issues which face the New accountable: Eyecatching new bins at Zealand recycling industry and Voluntary commitments are just the changes recommended to that. Such commitments have been North Shore DHB (note product stewardship. made in the past and not met. Any the use of blue for mixed The report explains the problem: future commitments1 need to have recycling as yellow is used for consequences for those who don’t medical waste in hospitals) “At present, companies can place meet them, otherwise they are products on the market with little simply a theoretical exercise. consideration of, or responsibility Event Round-up for, what happens to them once they Recyclability claims need to be evidence based and paired with have been used. This is at the root of AROUND THE COUNTRY: standardised on-pack labelling the problem the recycling industry FUNDING BY THE PPRS is currently facing. A long-term to enable consumers to make solution must involve manufacturers informed decisions. and distributors having greater Recyclability targets need to responsibility for products be paired with requirements for through their life cycle. This will manufacturers and brand owners help incentivise better design and to specify minimum recycled material choices, ensure appropriate content in products (to create funding is in place to enable effective market pull through). recycling and help New Zealand Where possible, on-pack labelling move towards a circular economy. should clearly show levels NELSON “The different types of product of recycled content to help Helped educate stall holders stewardship programmes include consumers make informed choices. advance disposal fees, deposit and visitors to Nelson Council’s Ultimately, consideration may also refund systems, licensing fees or Kaifest at Whakatu Marae about need to be given to other measures material recovery notes. Schemes composting food waste and such as actively restricting the can also be voluntary or mandatory. catering packaging. use of products or materials for Consideration should be given which there is no viable recovery DUNEDIN to the most appropriate types of pathway (such as some types of scheme for each product or material Helped fund a waste service plastic). type, as well as the designation of provider at the seventh Waitati priority product status for the most Music Festival to improve the Read the full paper here: problematic material types.” quality of recycling. bit.ly/rebooting-recycling packagingforum.org.nz | glasspackagingforum.org.nz | recycling.kiwi.nz

projects & initiatives Event Round-up $919,000 direct investment in New Zealand MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS Allocated funding to the Matariki recovery and recycling initiatives. Waitohi Picton Festival which will be held for the first time in Picton In the financial year to end March 2018, the Packaging Forum allocated in July. Envirohub Marlborough $919,000 in direct funding to support projects and initiatives which plan to make this the first zero increase recovery and recycling. This excludes any funding received from waste event in the region with our the Waste Minimisation Fund. support promoting reusable drinks containers, educating visors and food service providers.

Providing support for the Volvo Ocean Race making sure soft plastics got recycled including the shrouds around the yachts

Mayor Justin Lester and Associate Minister for the Environment launch the new binfrastructure

Recycling just got smarter and brighter with new cleverly designed bins to improve recycling and collection. In the Wellington CBD Eugenie Sage launched a set of four smart bins, one of 10 sets being rolled out across the city under a pilot initiative, which is part of a $1.7 million grant provided to The Packaging Forum in partnership with the Auckland Litter Prevention Steering Group from the Waste Minimisation Fund.

“The new locally made bins stand out from the crowd – their bright colours make it easy for people to understand which one to use for what and their smart design improves collection by letting operators know when it’s time to empty them,” Eugenie Sage said.

continues on next page Fifty sets of bins are being installed across five pilot regions: Wellington, Tauranga, Rotorua, Marlborough, and Queenstown Lakes. The Packaging Forum worked with local manufacturer AE Tilley to design the colour- coded recycling and rubbish bins. ON THE DRAWING BOARD “The bins feature eye-fi technology which lets operators know when they are getting full and need to be emptied. This should help keep city streets clean and reduce servicing costs for operators. The bin design PUTTING THE RIGHT BINS IN PLACE: FROM will help people put the right containers in the correct place. CONCEPT TO REALITY: BINS MANUFACTURED BY New Zealanders and visitors want AE TILLEY IN WELLINGTON to do the right thing and the new bins make it easier. FEATURES “Keeping cans, glass 1. Different size opening for 5. Cameras inside recycling bins to recycling bins monitor contamination and recyclable plastic 2. Introduction of smart 6. Signage in multiple languages clean and separate from technology to advise collector 7. Selection of bins i.e. use of glass food and landfill waste when bins are nearing fill level. only bins to match kerbside is crucial to making 3. Bookend the rubbish bins around systems operated in region. the recycling bins to reduce recycling viable. Mixing 8. Use of recycling and waste contamination. waste with recyclables symbols on roof of bins 4. Use of WasteMINZ approved reduces their value.” Design Guidelines available from colours for bins The Packaging Forum.

THE FORUM WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS

soft plastic recycling NZ Hothouse Shardlows Unilever NZ Westpac ROTORUA LAKES Z Energy

public place recycling We are seeking expressions of interest from councils to be Streetscape part of the 2018/19 pilot programme. Please contact donna@ packagingforum.org.nz for more information. from left to right: Rob Langford, Chair GPF; Hon Eugenie Sage and Adele Rose GPF scheme manager

New Zealand’s only voluntary One of the most significant This year the GPF introduced a new product stewardship scheme for points Minister Sage made was funding process whereby there container glass has been given that the scheme supports New would be three funding rounds the green light for another seven Zealand’s commitment to Goal 12 per year, with each round having years. The Associate Minister for of the United Nations Sustainable a set period for applications to the Environment Eugenie Sage Development Goals. Goal 12 being be submitted. This approach will officially re-accredited the scheme Responsible Consumption and improve efficiency and allows us to in May, much to the delight of the Production. Board and scheme managers, 3R compare applications to ensure the Not only is this a great endorsement Group. The Minister went beyond best return on invested funds. The of the scheme, but also a very rare simply granting re-accreditation reference to the goals by a Minister, first application period was from and elaborated on her impressions and further proof of the new 1 to 31 May. of the scheme as a “showcase of the sustainability-focussed approach of Helping those involved in glass circular economy in action”. this government. recycling improve the quality and Minister Sage also pointed out that It goes without saying that the quantity of glass going back to the scheme makes an important success of the scheme is largely the furnace is the major focus of contribution to waste minimisation down to all our members and their 2 the GPF, and awarding grants for as well as helping to reduce CO support and we thank you for this. emissions. Using recycled glass in projects which do that is a primary the manufacture of new bottles APPLICATIONS FOR way of achieving this. To date GPF and jars requires less energy GRANT FUNDING member’s voluntary levies have and reduces the need for virgin POUR IN helped fund around $2 million in materials. In 2017, the average grants, ranging from infrastructure recycled glass content for New Our new funding round for grants to research. Zealand’s only glass bottle and jar saw 10 applications — collectively manufacturer O-I New Zealand worth $279,000 — come in over the The next funding round will be in was 69%. course of May. September. Lyn Mayes, Scheme Manager receives the certificate of accreditation from Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage. Left to right: Malcolm CHALLENGES Everts, Cottonsoft; Neil Waka, CCA; Lyn Mayes; Tahira Widlof, Countdown; Hon Eugenie Sage; Mike Sammons, Foodstuffs; Lauren Mentjox, Frucor Suntory. The impact of China’s action on recyclables is also hitting our soft plastics recycling scheme. Processors have the choice of taking clean polyethelene products which means that the post- consumer plastic materials which we collect through the scheme are of little attraction. Our original processing partner Replas in Australia is inundated with plastic waste from Australian businesses and without real demand from New Zealand to buy the benches, bollards and decking which they manufacture, they will only be SOFT PLASTICS RECYCLING HOW ARE WE DOING? able to take from us the equivalent SCHEME CELEBRATES • 746 tonnes of soft plastic weight in plastic which NZ Inc buys ACCREDITATION materials collected since from them in products. December 2015 Following on from the re- The good news is that there are accreditation of the GPF’s glass • 269 tonnes collected January emerging processing initiatives recycling scheme, Minister Eugenie to April 2018 here and overseas which we Sage also announced that the • Average weekly collection are trialling. We’ll be telling you Packaging Forum’s Soft Plastics = 14 tonnes per week about some of these over the Recycling Scheme has been made coming months. For example, the an accredited product stewardship • 350+ stores now offer the equivalent of 200,000 bags from scheme. service the soft plastics collections in The Minister said: “The scheme • Accessible to over 74% NZ Australia have been used in the means people can return soft ratepayers within 20km of construction of a Melbourne road home or work plastics such as shopping and in an Australian first trial. This is bread bags to supermarkets and More and more member brands are a partnership between Downer other major retailers around the putting our soft plastics logo on and resource recovery companies country. Plastic bags and other their packs Close the Loop and RED group soft plastics are a hazard to marine which we are hoping to be part of. life and because they can break down into microplastics in the It means a shift in our business oceans, are also a hazard to human model to include processing fees health. Stopping plastics from and it means we will be working getting into streams and the sea is with stores to improve the quality the first step in reducing the ocean of the materials we collect and plastic problem.” remove contaminated materials.

With greater communication and knowledge about the issues facing INTERESTED IN RECYCLING SOFT PLASTICS? recycling, we hope that people We are interested to hear from New Zealand recyclers who can understand that putting the wrong take soft plastic materials which are a mix of polyethylene and products in the recycling bin is polypropylene. putting recycling at risk. COFFEE

CORNER we need a standard that covers all The WG is primarily looking at types of compostable packaging commercial composting solutions which are connected to food or however, home composting is agriculture nutrients. The CPSA- another challenge entirely with WG will identify whether the NZ the diversity of home composting composting industry and other systems already available in some The terms of reference for the stakeholder requirements can places. Coffee Cup Working Group has been be met by one of the existing changed to a focus on identifying The WG is now assessing the international standards such as collection facilities and processing requirements of a NZ standard. This the well-known European EN13432 solutions for coffee cups and will be followed by practical testing standard or the Australian AS4736 related products. This is to set clear of items in scope by Scion with standard. boundaries from the work being items tested for disintegration in NZ conducted by the Compostable This involves comprehensive compost environments to match the Packaging Standard Adoption research and collation of standard. Working Group (CPSA-WG). requirements and a technical analysis of the existing international We have around 25 members AND AROUND THE standards. Any recommendation of the Packaging Forum that WORLD UK will be followed by consultation and are involved in or interested in stakeholder engagement with the POTENTIAL IMPACT OF A ‘LATTE compostable packaging. If you want desired outcome to have a proposal LEVY’ IN UK? to be involved, get in touch with in place by the end of the year. project leader Kim Renshaw kim@ According to an economic study by beyondthebin.org.nz The project scope has Ecuity, on behalf of the Paper Cup been agreed as: Alliance, a 25p ‘latte levy’ could IN THE NEWS result in the loss of 11,000 jobs Any compostable packaging LEITH HUFFADINE, STUFF: as well as wiping £819m from the TAKEAWAY COFFEE CUP item which was likely to economy. It is claimed that only SOLUTIONS: FIXING THE PROBLEM contain food (including dry 5.7% of consumers would switch to re-usable plastic cups or crockery. Kim Renshaw, from Beyond the goods packaging) or other The research also claimed that Bin, said solutions weren’t “one- nutrients beneficial to compost a levy “raises the prospect” of size-fits-all” they had to be tailored (e.g. horticultural items). This redundancies at cup manufacturing to suit each region. Solutions are includes film carrier bags on the sites in towns such as Wrexham, happening, “but it’s piecemeal.” The Gosport and Huntington. A key - whether considering recycling understanding they should have levy on disposable coffee cups or composting - was having the a second life as containers for has been backed by MPs on the infrastructure to collect the cups organic waste (e.g. in kerbside Environmental Audit Committee. and deal with them. The Packaging collection). Other in-scope However, the government rejected Forum’s Lyn Mayes outlined a range a charge and said that it would of solutions being worked on by the examples could be compostable prefer retailers to offer discounts packaging industry. food insulation, expanded PLA to consumers who bring their own CPSA-WG: FACILITATED BY where it contained food or other cups to outlets. BEYOND THE BIN nutrients. However, The House of Lords and The WG comprises representation Out of scope included mailers, any Commons will introduce a 25p from composters, packaging other compostable containers (e.g. charge for using compostable manufacturers, Scion, local for shampoo) and nappies/sanitary cups, reusable coffee cups will be and central government and items. Or any item which would available to buy, and incentives will WasteMINZ. require special consent to process it be offered to customers who refill or its contents. them. The rapid increase and variation in compostable packaging means aotearoa PERSPECTIVES around the ON PACKAGING world The annual survey about IN EUROPE attitudes to packaging recycling conducted by Horizon shows PPRS Scheme Manager, Lyn kiwis want to be able to recycle Mayes took the opportunity whilst and, as importantly, want to buy holidaying in the UK to visit recycling packaging which is made from and waste facilities. recycled materials. James Cropper Cup Highlights are: Cycling – Kendall UK people have access to 84% The British consume around 2.5 kerbside recycling billion cups annually (38 cups per Drop off bin for coffee cups at UK recycling facility - 58% would like their glass to be capita). Compostable cups are not the cups are taken to James Cropper Paper Mill made into new glass containers in typically being composted but either New Zealand and 45% would like IN OTHER NEWS: go to landfill or are used in waste to their PET bottles to be manufactured energy processes. Starbucks has reported a 156.6% into new PET packaging. increase in reusable cup usage James Cropper has developed the 77% people say being able to buy halfway through a 5p paper cup packaging which is made from technology to recycle disposable charge in select London stores. recycled materials is important in paper cups on a commercial Waitrose is to phase out all their decision making scale, and partners with waste takeaway disposable coffee cups management companies, coffee 81% say that being able to buy from its self-serve machines packaging that can be recycled in chains and restaurants, enabling instore, saving more than 52 million New Zealand is important cup waste to be turned into cups a year. beautiful papers. Coffee cups 55% said they had public place recycling bins in their area. provide high quality fibres, which the company upcycles into a wide Awareness of the Love NZ brand has range of products, including luxury increased to 40% indicating around packaging. With partners Veoilia 1.27 million adults are aware of the Love NZ brand and the Be a Tidy they have established collection Kiwi brand was recognised by 87% systems with retailers such as Costa people. Coffee; McDonalds and Selfridges. The cups are delivered to the mill in The Sustainable Business 65% people say that kerbside Kendall and the polyethylene lining Network is commencing collection suits them best. 16% say work to diagnosis the plastic they would pay an extra charge and paper are separated before packaging system with a view for every container purchased and the paper fibre is turned into fine to identifying the systemic drop them off at a collection point issues and pathways to enable for a refund. 64% of people were not the recent 2025 NZ Plastic willing to pay more than 5 cents per container. The cost of a container Packaging Declarations to deposit system is around 14 cents be met in a way that creates (deposit plus handling fee) and only a new plastic economy that 10.2% people say they would be works in NZ. willing to pay 15 cents or more for To get involved please contact this. It’s not until personal incomes [email protected] exceed $100,000 per annum that or [email protected]. willingness to pay increases. papers. The company has also set Quality levels at the MRF have The UK is one of a few countries up a programme with Selfridges increased over the last four years (including North America, Australia collecting their cups and turning with the introduction of new and NZ) which uses HDPE natural. them into the iconic yellow technology to remove glass at the Working with dairy brands and Selfridges bags. Collections are start of the process. The plant is supermarkets has helped change either in cafe/store or in closed producing mixed paper to a quality the milk bottle design so that caps environments such as universities, of 99.2%; newsprint and pamphlets are now made from HDPE and see offices etc. The plant has the at 99.6% and OCC at 99.8% quality. through with less pigment; labels are capacity to process 500 million Glass is processed in a joint venture not glued. cups. with Knauf insulation into fibreglass. The yield from HDPE bales received Recycling at the The MRF separates out PET and HDPE bottles but does not accept at the plant is around 70% with Veolia MRF at Gilmoss, a further 15% of materials such Liverpool tubs, trays and pots which residents are asked to put in the waste to be as caps being recycled. The plant The MRF opened in 2011 and has the turned into energy. produces 18,000 tonnes of pellets capacity to process approximately per annum with around 80% 150,000 tonnes of mixed recyclables HDPE milk bottle to destined for the dairy sector (rHDPE per year, as well as housing a state bottle processing at natural) with 20% for the cosmetic of the art visitor and education Biffa Polymers in Redcar sector. facility. The facility has a maximum Biffa Polymers commenced work High-profile names process rate of 35 tonnes per hour. with dairies and HDPE milk bottle from the hospitality and Mixed recyclables from the kerbside manufacturers in 2007. The plant tourism industry have collections of Halton, Knowsley, now has two HDPE wash plants/ launched a campaign Liverpool and Sefton representing processing lines. In the UK the HDPE to make Greater a population of around 1 million milk bottle recycling rate is now Manchester the first people are delivered to the MRF for around 80%. Milk bottles contain UK city-region to ditch sorting before being transported to around 30% recycled HDPE with this single-use plastics. the recycling plant. now approaching 40%. Ex-Manchester United player, Gary Neville, launched the ground- breaking ‘Plastic-Free Greater Manchester’ campaign at the recent Green Summit. The campaign is set to put Greater Manchester at the forefront of taking action to eliminate single-use plastics. The campaign targets businesses and local people, encouraging them to make the shift away from single-use plastics to renewable alternatives. Over the next six months these businesses will be setting out a plan to achieve their goal and, as a first step, are starting to replace plastic straws.

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