The Government’s announcement to move towards co-designed and regulated product
stewardship for single-use plastic packaging acknowledges the work of the existing voluntary Soft Plastics Recycling scheme.

The Packaging Forum set up soft plastics collections in 2015 and the soft plastic recycling scheme received accreditation as a voluntary product stewardship scheme under the Waste Minimisation Act in March 2018.

Chair of the scheme Malcolm Everts says that the impact of China’s National Sword policy and the collapse of global markets for mixed plastics forced a major re-set of the scheme.

“One year ago, there was no onshore processing of post-consumer soft plastics. Today there are two North Island plants Future Post in Waiuku and Second Life Plastics in Levin which are great examples of Kiwi ingenuity. We are working with them and our members to increase demand for their products. To have a sustainable circular economy where waste materials are re-processed into new valuable products and commodities, we need industry, councils and government departments to start buying products which are made from our recycling efforts.”

“However, the principal limiting factor for our scheme is lack of near shore / on shore processing facilities. It is not a lack of industry support or a lack of consumer willingness to drop off their soft plastic packaging, it is the fact there are currently only two processors in North Island that are able to process post-consumer soft plastics.”

“We have re-set the scheme so that collection volumes will match NZ processing capacity. We re-started collections in Auckland in May and will add collections in the Waikato next month with other regions being added as processing capacity becomes available.”

Scheme members’ levies fund collections from stores, quality checks, baling, transport to end markets and contribute to the processing costs as well. This is different from the traditional model where the processor pays the collector/recycler for the materials.

The Government’s proposals are consistent with our message outlined in our
August newsletter which summarises the formula for success as a combination of the following:
Materials: Kiwis drop off their clean soft plastic packaging for recycling
Funding: Industry joins the Scheme to increase available funding
Demand: Local and Central Government, Consumers and Industry buy from our processing partners; and
Collaboration: to introduce More Processing Capacity throughout New Zealand, plus support reduce and reuse initiatives.

“To achieve effective soft plastics recycling product stewardship within the timeframe set in the Discussion Paper, we hope to see soft plastic recycling processing projects funded in this year’s Funding Round and through the additional $40 million in funding announced through the Provincial Growth Fund. It is only with a substantial increase in processing capacity including on South Island that the Scheme can deliver its full potential”

For more information about Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme visit
www.recycling.kiwi.nz

Lyn Mayes, Manager of The Public Place Recycling Scheme, welcomes the Environment Commissioner’s release of an online resource to help consumers better understand how to dispose of biodegradable and compostable plastics.

“We’re pleased that the Environment Commissioner recognises the confusion surrounding compostable bags and packaging and has investigated the situation and what needs to happen.  Mr Upton is correct in saying that people can’t just put most products onto their home compost heaps or into their recycling bins.  We need to have a NZ standard which identifies where and how they can be composted as well as develop the infrastructure to process them,” says Mayes.

The Packaging Forum has established an independent technical working group (Compostable Packaging Standard Adoption Working Group (CPSA-WG)) comprising composters, manufacturers, waste industry, central and local government and research institutions to assess existing international standards and to recommend a NZ standard.

The CPSA-WG will identify whether the NZ composting industry and other stakeholder requirements can be met by one of the existing international standards such as the well-known European EN13432 standard or the Australian AS4736 standard.

It has agreed the scope for this work is:
“Any compostable packaging item which is likely to contain food (including dry goods packaging) or other nutrients beneficial to compost (e.g. horticultural items). This includes film carrier bags on the understanding they should have a second life as containers for organic waste (e.g. in kerbside collection). Other in-scope examples could be compostable food insulation, expanded PLA where it contained food or other nutrients.”

Lyn Mayes says, “We are talking to Standards New Zealand so that they are kept informed about our industry led work. The next phase will be to conduct product testing at compost facilities in New Zealand.”

“We are primarily looking at commercial composting solutions however, home composting is another challenge entirely with the diversity of home composting systems already available in some places.”

If a standard is to be adopted, it would enable identification of compostable packaging that meets clear guidelines agreed with by the NZ composting industry. Industry and government would then be able to assess development of collection systems and investment into comprehensive infrastructure to process compostable packaging.

The Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme will restart collections at selected retail stores in Auckland from the 20^th May 2019. The Soft Plastic Recycling bins will be available for use at a number of Countdown, The Warehouse, and Huckleberry stores.

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Media release: Tackling plastic waste

One of the country’s biggest packaging industry groups is backing the announcement today from Associate Minister for the Environment, Eugenie Sage, with the plans to investigate product stewardship and improved recyclability of plastic packaging and public education to ‘recycle right’.

The Packaging Forum welcomes the Minister’s intention to support the packaging industry to come up with a solution for plastic packaging.

“We absolutely agree – the time for talk is over – we need action. The Forum currently operates the only government accredited product stewardship programmes for glass bottles and jars and for soft plastics alongside delivering the Litter Less Recycle More project. We are also in the early stages of developing a stewardship programme for rigid food and beverage plastics, so we are 100% with the Minister in wanting to take the lead on improving outcomes for food and beverage packaging which is often recycled at kerbside in New Zealand,” says Forum Chair Rob Langford.

The Packaging Forum last year made a pledge on behalf of its members, including manufacturers, brand owners and retailers, to make all their packaging recyclable or compostable by 2025.

“In order to do this, we need to use product stewardship as a tool for putting practical solutions in place to tackle plastic waste, and we welcome the Minister’s backing to achieve this,” Rob says.

Product stewardship sees manufacturers and retailers take responsibility for the products they make and sell at the end of their useful life, so that these products are recycled, reused or repurposed.

“This means all players working together – essentially those that manufacture, fill, sell, collect and recycle plastic food and beverage plastic containers.

“Careful consideration must be given to creating a balanced recovery / re-use solution for materials onshore that will deliver world class results without simply burdening the consumer with costs. “Only product stewardship will deliver a fair outcome.”

The world is undoubtedly facing a plastic crisis due to low recycling rates, excessive packaging and improper disposal, Rob says. Resource recovery markets in particular are struggling since the enforcement of China’s National Sword policy saw the collapse of global markets for mixed plastics (predominantly types 3-7) and mixed paper and cardboard.

“Addressing these issues is key but also complex, with many aspects to consider, such as the different types of plastic and the role plastic packaging plays in food safety and preventing food waste.”

“Our current rigid food and beverage plastic project will be looking at all aspects, such as packaging design, alternative technologies and investment in onshore processing,” he says.

“It will be fully inclusive and all options for tackling plastic packaging waste will be on the table, as we create practical solutions which will address the key issues and support the growth of a circular economy in New Zealand.”

Significant investment will undoubtedly be required in new and leading technologies, Rob says. “We consider this should be a focus of future funding rounds of the Waste Minimisation Fund.”

“The Packaging Forum welcomes the opportunity to work with the Minister’s office, Ministry for the Environment, local government and the resource recovery sector, as well as other interested groups from industry and the wider community.”

“We invite anyone interested in taking practical steps to tackle food and beverage container waste to join us,” Rob says.

The Group is taking bold next steps in addressing both environmental topics, to preserve the terroirs its products come from, and social responsibility, in particular by accelerating the fight against alcohol misuse.

Read More: Pernod Ricard article

The pledge made by packaging manufacturers, brand owners and retailers, came on Monday (31 July) at a packaging industry event attended by Associate Minister for the Environment Hon Eugenie Sage. According to the Forum’s chairman Rob Langford it shows the members are taking a leadership position on packaging waste.

“We want to see comprehensive product stewardship solutions delivered by industry, in partnership with the whole supply chain, including local and central government and communities, so that there is no packaging waste going to landfill,” Mr Langford says.

The Packaging Forum is an amalgamation of the Glass Packaging Forum, Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme and the Public Place Recycling Scheme and promotes the Government’s Love NZ brand.

Over 200 companies belong to one or more of the voluntary product stewardship schemes run by the Glass Packaging Forum, Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme and the Public Place Recycling Scheme.

Mr Langford echoed previous comments by Minister Sage in regard to developing onshore processing solutions for recycling and composting. “The best outcome is to keep the composting and recycling onshore. We will therefore use our position to support investment in infrastructure in New Zealand,” he says.

Advocating for the right collaborations between the public and private sectors to achieve the best possible onshore solutions for NZ’s packaging waste is an important part of the commitment, Langford says.

Another critical element is making it easy for consumers to do the right thing with their endof-life packaging. “There is currently a lot of confusion amongst the public around what can be recycled or composted and where to do that. It’s very important the process is as simple as possible, to get as much uptake as possible,” he says.

Product stewardship sees manufacturers and retailers take responsibility for their products through to the end of life. Members of the forum contribute to schemes which recycle or repurpose products like glass and soft plastic, to keep them out of landfill.

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However New Zealand does not yet have a standard for compostable packaging nor does the current infrastructure take most of these products in the volumes presented which means they will mostly end up in a landfill.

Lyn Mayes, Manager of The Public Place Recycling Scheme, is concerned that not enough people realise that there is limited infrastructure for accepting compostable packaging in New Zealand at present.

“We need to be clear that as of this moment and for the immediate future New Zealand has not got a national composting infrastructure for packaging.
Compostable bags and packaging should not be put into kerbside composting bins (unless local arrangements exist) nor should they be put into the Soft Plastic Recycling Bins which the Packaging Forum operates at supermarkets and other retailers,” says Mayes.

“Compostable containers are no different from plastic containers if they are litter and pollute our oceans. They aren’t recyclable and can only be composted where special collection arrangements are in place. There are however, some amazing companies who are working hard to find solutions to this problem in New Zealand.”

In 2017 The Packaging Forum commissioned waste consultancy Beyond the Bin to identify the barriers for compost facilities in accepting compostable packaging and to determine the availability of facilities.

11 facilities said that they were able to take compostable packaging where they had approved a supplier/product range and where collection systems were in place.

Following this research, The Packaging Forum established an independent technical working group (Compostable Packaging Standard Adoption Working Group (CPSA-WG)) comprising composters, manufacturers, waste industry, central and local government and research institutions to assess existing international standards and to recommend a NZ standard.

Kim Renshaw from Beyond the Bin acts as an independent facilitator of the working group and was pleased to have specialists assess the situation.
“It’s fantastic to have technical experts work towards a solution. There is a lot of confusion because we don’t currently have a standard but if we can find a way through, it will really make a difference for composters, packaging companies and consumers,” said Renshaw.

“The rapid increase and variation in compostable packaging means we need a standard that covers all types of compostable packaging which are connected to food or agriculture nutrients.”

The CPSA-WG will identify whether the NZ composting industry and other stakeholder requirements can be met by one of the existing international standards such as the well-known European EN13432 standard or the Australian AS4736 standard.

This involves comprehensive research and collation of requirements and a technical analysis of the existing international standards. Any recommendation will be followed by consultation and stakeholder engagement with the desired outcome to have a proposal in place by the end of the year.

Lyn Mayes also says, “Having composters, manufacturers, waste experts and scientists around the table is critical to verify whether the products coming into New Zealand can be composted in our facilities.”

“We are primarily looking at commercial composting solutions however, home composting is another challenge entirely with the diversity of home composting systems already available in some places.”

If a standard is to be adopted, it would enable identification of compostable packaging that meets clear guidelines agreed with by the NZ composting industry. Industry and government would then be able to assess development of collection systems and investment into comprehensive infrastructure to process compostable packaging.

The new concept bins, manufactured in Wellington by AE Tilley, are the first in New Zealand to bring together a range of features to make it easier for people to recycle. These include national consistency about the colour of the bins; use of multiple languages and clear signage; as well as utilising technology to reduce overflow and make collection systems more efficient.

The campaign has been developed by The Packaging Forum which promotes recycling under the Government’s Love NZ brand and The Auckland Litter Prevention Steering Group which manages the Be a Tidy Kiwi brand. This is also supported by many councils around the country and the New Zealand Transport Agency and KiwiRail.

Richard Leckinger, Program Manager for Be a Tidy Kiwi says “The bins’ design owes much to the concepts developed by Wellington City Council to create “bin-frastructure”, which gets people to the bins and minimises contamination,” says Leckinger.

“In the past, bins have been designed to be part of the streetscape and blend in, when what we have needed are eye-catching bins that use the recycling and waste colours which have been agreed nationally.”

“The red rubbish bins book-end the recycling bins because this is proven internationally to reduce contamination with people typically using the first bin they come to if they are uncertain of whether something is recyclable or not. As well as introducing standard colours, pilot regions have also chosen signage including Chinese, Korean and Japanese as well as English and Te Reo.”

Lyn Mayes, Project Manager for The Packaging Forum says that one of the main reasons preventing organisations from installing recycling bins, is contamination, “Early signs from Queenstown Lakes, Marlborough and Tauranga are that volumes collected in the recycling and rubbish bins are higher than in “standard” bins and contamination levels in the recycling bins are lower,” says Mayes.

“An audit of these new bins in Tauranga by Waste Watchers found that only 14% of materials placed in the recycling bins were not recyclable, whilst 27% of materials placed in the rubbish bins were recyclable. If people don’t know whether their waste is recyclable it is better that they use the rubbish bin as a default – or they can check out what goes where on our Waste Time App.”

“Our houses and cars are getting smarter and so are our bins. Each recycling and rubbish bin has an EYEFI unit which provides an alert system to the collector so that they are emptied on demand not on a schedule. This improves the efficiency of collections particularly in tourist regions and where councils are servicing distant locations.”

Wellington City Council Mayor Justin Lester is pleased to see this pilot project being trialled in the capital as it aligns with the Eco and Dynamic Central City objectives proposed in Our 10-Year Plan.

“These smart bins will help us proactively respond to the environmental challenges of littering and reducing waste going to our landfill. It also supports our strategic vision of a Dynamic Central City as the bins and innovative EYEFI technology were developed by local manufacturers AE Tilley.”

The $2.4 million project has received $1.72 million funding from The Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund with a national advertising and consumer awareness campaign “Let’s put litter in its place – it’s just how we do things around here” supporting this investment in infrastructure.

Councils and organisations interested in being part of the next pilot programme should contact The Packaging Forum.

The “Litter Less Recycle More’ campaign brings together the Government’s Love NZ brand which is promoted by The Packaging Forum and the Be a Tidy Kiwi brand, which is managed by The Auckland Litter Prevention Steering Group.

Read More: The Packaging Word Newsletter – Winter 2018

Read More: The Packaging Word Newsletter – Autumn 2018