The Packaging Forum has released the findings of a detailed survey by specialist consultancy Beyond the Bin of 27 composting facilities across New Zealand to understand their experiences with processing compostable food packaging including compostable coffee cups.

11 facilities have agreed to be listed as accepting compostable food packaging with a further two unnamed facilities able to do so.

7 facilities are piloting processing systems or developing the capability to accept compostable cups and other compostable packaging waste.

Coverage varies with North Island facilities identified in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, New Plymouth, Hawkes Bay and Wellington and South Island facilities in Tasman and Kaikoura. Lyn Mayes, Manager of the Packaging Forum’s Public Place Recycling Scheme which commissioned the research said: “Around 295 million hot and cold cups are consumed annually in New Zealand with over 90% of coffee cup brands are either manufactured or sold by our members.

“The industry has seen a significant growth in the volume of compostable cups and with this confusion as to whether, where and how they can be composted. “We commissioned Beyond the Bin to assess the range of cups on the market; survey facilities about whether they can process compostable cups; identify the barriers and make recommendations as to how these can be resolved.Based on the information supplied by our members, the compostable coffee cups in the New Zealand market have similar specifications and are typically certified to the EN13432 (Commercial compost European standard).”

Kim Renshaw, Director Beyond the Bin said: “The composting industry has some will and/ or capacity to process food packaging including coffee cups and in most cases, their C-PLA lids. The barriers they face to process compostable food packaging in their existing operations are varied and significant. Contamination, lack of identification, length of processing time, volume vs weight and organic input restrictions affect a composter’s will and capacity.”

“The Packaging Forum with its members can help solve these issues by creating an identification and standard for cups and innovating product design to reduce the length of processing time. Contamination, volume vs weight and organic input restrictions are process/ regulation related which require a combined effort from waste producers, service providers, regulatory bodies and packaging companies.”

“Many composting facilities have special relationships with credible waste producers, those who contaminate their waste and provide a clean waste stream which means a facility might take compostable food packaging from one customer, service provider or event who agree to use composter approved packaging and are employing decontamination techniques.”

Mayes said that the study provides a pathway: “We have already initiated a change to our funding criteria for events this year requiring applicants to provide evidence they willseparatepackaging waste either during the event or through post event sortation. Our members are working with community composting service providers such as Home Grown Waiheke Trust to provide local solutions and we see an opportunity to support standalone compost units as an option for small scale local solutions.

And it is particularly exciting that product innovation is taking place with members looking at the development of new products capable of home composting.”

“Work is underway to develop an agreed identification system for coffee cups which will clearly identify them as compostable or recyclable where facilities exist and a process for its use. We have started discussion with the Waste Management Institute New Zealand (WasteMINZ) about an identification standard to ensure consistency and increase the likelihood of acceptance.”

Paul Evans, Chief Executive of WasteMINZ said “We commend industry for undertaking this research. For any solution to be effective in the long term there needs to be real collaboration between packaging manufacturers and the composting industry, recognising the potential impacts on compost products.

We look forward to working positively with the Packaging Forum to determine an appropriate composting standard and identification system, which meets the needs of all parties”.

The campaign is the first national and community awareness programme about litter since the 1980s, and will be linked to a national behavioural change programme and investment in new and upgraded rubbish/recycling infrastructure that uses smart technology to minimise overflow and reduce collection costs.

The first National Litter Survey which was commissioned by The Packaging Forum in 2015 found 32 items of litter per 1000m2 on New Zealand‟s streets and public places. A three year campaign will target this litter through behavioural change programmes and the installation of correctly situated and visually impactful rubbish and recycling infrastructure.

The campaign was announced by the Hon Scott Simpson, Associate Minister for the
Environment with students and parents at Meadowbank, Primary School in Auckland. The school was chosen to host the campaign launch as the first primary school in New Zealand to have successfully reflected „Beyond Green Gold,‟ indicating its progress as a sustainable Enviroschool.

Richard Leckinger, Program Manager for Be a Tidy Kiwi says “There has been no national campaign about litter since the 1980s, which is at odds with New Zealand‟s attitude towards protecting our country‟s environment and natural beauty. This campaign aims to position litter and resource recovery as an issue of national importance, and the collective responsibility of all Kiwis and those visiting from overseas. We are very pleased to be bringing together two of New Zealand‟s iconic brands, Love NZ and Be a Tidy Kiwi to kickstart awareness and the motivation to make a change.

Launching at a leading Enviroschool is a key part of our strategy in which we develop age specific materials and messages for schools which we will pilot through Enviroschools and other educational organizations such as Tread Lightly Caravan.”

Lyn Mayes, Manager at The Packaging Forum, says “In May 2015, we published the first National Litter Survey, conducted by Waste Not Consulting as the first step to establishing a national Litter Index. This survey found that around 60% of visible litter is packaging and shows the impact of the increase in food consumption away from home.

Our membership includes around 70% of the 100 most often littered brands and they are keen to work with us to promote the “Litter Less Recycle More” campaign to their customers. Together we want to “put litter in its place”.

Mayes added, “Clean, well-maintained infrastructure is crucial to helping the community dispose of their waste correctly, enabling them to recycle where possible. We will choose pilot sites around the country to introduce new Smart technology “binfrastructure” in conjunction with the advertising and behavioural change programme.”

The $2.4 million project has received $1.72 million funding from The Government‟s Waste Minimisation Fund and will be supported by in kind investment by industry and local government in delivering a national advertising campaign which will be developed by Brand World.

The annual report provides the following data:
• Reports on the performance against Scheme KPIs to end 2015.
• Financial period 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2016 (financial year for the scheme)

The scope of the Packaging Forum’s Public Place Recycling voluntary product stewardship Scheme includes the end of life collection of packaging (and where applicable food waste) away from home. The scheme includes the funding of projects, infrastructure and educational programmes to increase the recovery and recycling of plastic, aluminium, paper and glass packaging from food and beverages consumed in public places.

The Scheme raises and allocates funds to promote and directly influence the recycling of plastic, paper, aluminium and glass containers and organic waste in public places.

Public places include street locations, transport hubs, tourism and hospitality venues, shopping malls, stadia, canteens and other venues managed by commercial entities.

The Scheme also provides annual data on the amount of packaging and organic waste collected for recycling through the public place recycling bins operated by councils.

Scheme members include companies that manufacture products or their packaging that are typically consumed away from home such as beverages and snack foods. The Scheme also includes venues where these products are consumed.

The Scheme is funded by brand owners, packaging manufacturers and recyclers working with event organisers, councils and other organisations.

This Public Place Recycling Scheme is separate from the Packaging Forum’s Glass Packaging Product Stewardship Scheme however incorporates a financial contribution from the Glass Scheme which contributes to the collection of glass packaging from public places.

In the report year the public place recycling bins which have been introduced at supermarkets and retailers in Auckland to collect soft plastic packaging have been included.

Read More: The Packaging Word Newsletter – Autumn 2017

Lyn Mayes, Communications Manager for the Packaging Forum said: “Over 90% of the coffee and cold cups which are consumed are either manufactured or sold by our members.

“Over the past few years many New Zealand cafes and businesses have moved from paper cups lined with plastic to PLA lined coffee cups which are compostable only if they are sent to a commercial composting facility.

“There is however confusion about how consumers actually know what type of cup they have and how and where they should dispose of it. Compostable cups and lids are made of different materials and how they break down in a compost facility and how long it takes is dependent upon the process.

“We have established a Working Group which includes all the major cup manufacturers, distributors as well as representatives from materials collectors to develop an industry position.”

Kim Renshaw, Director Beyond the Bin said: “Beyond the Bin has started work to review the product range and identify the exact composition of coffee cups and lids and how they have been certified. This will provide the information required by compost facilities to verify whether the materials are compatible with their processes.

“In our 2015 study we found that the success of New Zealand composters to process PLA and C-PLA was largely related to process. C-PLA (coffee cup lid material) takes much longer than PLA (clear bio-plastic) to break down because it has been crystalised to withstand the heat of a hot drink. Some New Zealand composters have adjusted their processes to speed up the composting process, to effectively break down this type of bioplastic.”

“Beyond the Bin estimated there were 14 commercial composting facilities around New Zealand capable of composting clear and crystalised PLA when we undertook the survey last year but we will now revisit each facility with specific questions around the compostable cups and lids manufactured by Packaging
Forum members. This will allow us to provide very clear guidance to manufacturers about where their products can be processed. We expect to publish this guidance over the summer.”

Mayes said “As Kim says, there are commercial facilities in New Zealand which can process PLA cups and lids now but we need a Guide which shows which products can be composted where. This study will also allow us to investigate with recyclers whether there are overseas markets for the more traditional paper cups lined with Polyethelene. It is important that we conduct thorough research so that we can develop an industry strategy around products which have become such a routine part of our lives.”

See Summary of Research: Assessing the Availability of Composting Facilities for events in New Zealand (2015).

John Webber, Manager of The Packaging Forum’s Glass Packaging Scheme says that the funding to Rotorua Lakes District is part of an overall funding programme which has allocated $501,000 in the past year to support Council.

Community and Commercial projects. “48% of our funding is to Councils to assist with the purchase of public place recycling bins and infrastructure to increase the recovery of glass containers. We are particularly keen to support projects which allow ratepayers to separate their glass containers from other recyclables so that the recovered glass is of a high quality and can be processed into new glass containers which is the optimum recycling outcome.

“It is great to see that Rotorua Lakes are introducing separate glass and mixed recycling bins along with a waste bin at key public place recycling stations around the region. Through our Glass Scheme we have also supported the funding of separate glass collections at kerbside in the region.”

“Our schemes support projects in regions which have relatively low permanent residents and high tourist / visitor numbers and Rotorua Lakes District meets these criteria. We have also supported projectsin Marlborough, Thames Coromandel, South Taranaki, Mackenzie District and Ashburton.”

Webber added that voluntary product stewardship provides a value for money solution to increasing packaging recycling rates: “We believe that our voluntary product stewardship schemes provide a best cost solution to increase recycling rates. Research by economist consultancy Covecshows compelling economic evidence that the cost of introducing a 10 cents charge on every beverage container in New Zealand far outweighs the forecasted increase in the recycling rate, which is already increasing through voluntary product stewardship at a fraction of the cost.

“The glass recycling rate in New Zealand is already at 73% having benefited from a decade of voluntary product stewardship and the overall beverage containers recycling rate is over 69%. New Zealanders are used to the ease and convenience of kerbside collections and setting up hundreds of collection facilities around the country to allow people to take back their bottles makes no economic sense at all.”

The Packaging Forum operates two industry funded voluntary product stewardship schemes for glass recycling and public place recycling and in November 2015 introduced a soft plastic recycling programme.

Press Release Packaging Forum invests $500,000 in new recycling projects 29th August 2016 The Packaging Forum allocated $501,000 in direct funding to support Council, Community and Commercial projects in the year to end June 2016.

The Packaging Forum operates two industry funded voluntary product stewardship schemes for glass recycling and public place recycling and in November 2015 introduced a soft plastic recycling programme. Lyn Mayes, Communications Manager for the Packaging Forum explains that each scheme has its own contestable fund with allocations made on a quarterly basis by the relevant Steering Committee.

“Over the past year 48% of our funding or around $240,000 was allocated to Councils to assist with the purchase of public place recycling bins and infrastructure to increase the recovery of glass containers. We also contributed $81,000 to support community recycling and composting around the country as well as $180,000 in commercial projects including the introduction of soft plastic recycling collections at supermarkets and The Warehouse stores in Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury.”

“Our schemes are funded by voluntary levies paid by members. Over the past year we increased membership by 30% adding 42 brands showing that industry is behind the initiatives which we champion from supporting high value glass recovery to addressing litter and increasing recycling through our Love NZ branded public place recycling bins.”

“Funding is allocated according to criteria set out by the various schemes but we are keen to support projects in regions which have relatively low permanent residents and high tourist / visitor numbers. For example, we have supported a number of projects in Marlborough, Thames Coromandel, South Taranaki, Rotorua, Mackenzie District and Ashburton.”

“As a result of our projects every year we are increasing the amount of packaging which gets recycled. We are adding an extra 300 Public Place Recycling Bins every year and we monitor what gets recycled through these facilities and through our other projects.”

John Webber, Manager of the Glass Packaging Scheme added that voluntary product stewardship provides a value for money solution to increasing packaging recycling rates: Page 2 Packaging Forum invests $500,000 in new recycling projects “We believe that our voluntary product stewardship schemes provide a best cost solution to increase recycling rates. Earlier this year we commissioned research by economist consultancy Covec into the cost of introducing a mandatory Container Deposit System in New Zealand.

Covec’s research shows compelling economic evidence that the cost of introducing a 10 cents charge on every beverage container in New Zealand far outweighs the forecasted increase in the recycling rate, which is already increasing through voluntary product stewardship at a fraction of the cost.

“The glass recycling rate in New Zealand is already at 73% with a target of 78% by 2017, having benefited from a decade of voluntary product stewardship. Our current systems (including industry-led solutions) are making gains in overall beverage container recovery rates which will see us bridge the gap between the current 69/70% beverage container recycling rate and the target 80% rate over time, without incurring the large expense which CDS would put on consumers.”

That’s equivalent to around 1.6 million units of packaging with volumes increasing every week as people get used to collecting the bags at home and dropping them off when they go shopping.

From the 1 st March, 22 stores in Hamilton and Cambridge will start the service with plans to expand to Canterbury mid-year and Greater Wellington region in October.

Lyn Mayes, Project Manager says: “Soft plastic food and grocerypackaging was destined for the rubbish bin until we launched the Love NZ soft plastic recycling initiative in Auckland in November. This week we reachedfor the first time 1 tonne of soft plastic or 180,000 units of packaging collected from customers at 70 Auckland stores.”

“REDCycle which operates the programme tracks progress by suburb and by store. Out in front at the moment is North Auckland which benefits from having the Countdown stores involved in the trial and has contributed 39% of the total tonnage to-date, followed by Central and East Auckland (25% share).”

“Customers at New World Eastridge and PAK’Nsave Wairau have collected the most so far with a massive 1310kilograms from these two stores since the start of the campaign.” “New signage has been introduced to help reduce contamination in the bins and stores have experimented with the best place to position the bin for best results. Repositioning the bins has had customers contacting us because they were concerned the bins had been taken away. We’ve just launched a Facebook page so encourage people to tell us what they like and make suggestions.

“We know that people around the country want to have the new recycling service in place now but we need to move at a pace which allows us to provide stores with individual support as they introduce the new systems and implement a cost effective logistics solution. We will expand the service as quickly as we can.”

Andrew Hewett, Chair of The Packaging Forumsays:- “This is one of a raft of programs that Industry funds, with support and funding from the Government, to educate kiwis on the value of recycling and the critical role waste minimisation plays in reinforcing New Zealand’s clean, green reputation. It’s incredible to think that less than 12 months ago we were talking about a concept to recycle plastic bags and we are now moving from a trial in Auckland to a national roll out.

“Whilst the project is part funded by the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund, industry has to match fund the three-year project and ensure it is sustainable beyond this period.” “In addition to funding from The Packaging Forum and the participating retailers, this programme is supported by Asaleo Care, Cottonsoft, Goodman Fielder, Kimberly-Clark, Mars, Mondelez, Mother Earth, Nestle, NZ Post, Pams, Pure Delish, Simplot, Sunrice, Wrigley, Amcor, Astron, Elldex and Replasand we encourage other brands to get involved.”

What the Stores Say?

Foodstuffs Foodstuffs New Zealand’s Sustainability Manager, Mike Sammons says that stores and customers have been massively supportive of the programme as demonstrated by the quantity of packaging between placed in the bins. The programme is a very important part of the strategy to move our stores towards having 100% recyclable packaging for our customers.

Progressive Enterprises National Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager Affairs James Walker, says “Countdown has been delighted by our customers’ response in our North Shore stores participating in the programme, and we encourage them to keep bringing in their soft plastics for recycling”.

The Warehouse Paul Walsh, GM for Community & Environment, says “We’re absolutely thrilled by the recycling efforts of the community which have been brought about by this programme. This is a significant first step towards creating a more sustainable New Zealand, and we’re looking forward to rolling this programme out to more of our stores throughout the country.”

The Packaging Forum operates two voluntary product stewardship schemes for glass and for public place recycling which provide funding to support waste minimization at events.

As part of the funding arrangement event organisers provide detailed information about what has been collected for recycling compared to what is sent to landfill.

Festivals, concerts and sporting events around the country supported by the Packaging Forum already this summer include Taste Auckland; Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge; Summer Starter Christchurch; ACDC Concert at Western Springs; Sol 3 Mio at Villa Maria; Auckland Festival of Tennis; Sounds Splash at Raglan; Marlborough Christmas Parade; Auckland Christmas in the Park; Northern Bass; Fat Freddy’s Drop concert at Waipara Hills Winery and the NZ Football Masters Tournament in Dunedin.

Lyn Mayes, Public Place Recycling Scheme Manager said: “Data collected so far from shows that we have diverted around 50 tonnes from landfill and achieved a 70% recycling rate overall. This is a marked improvement over last year when the recycling rate across the events which we funded was 65%.

We hope to continue these excellent results at upcoming events including the Lantern Festival; Splore; Big Gay Out; Havelock Mussel Festival; Central District Field Days and Round the Bays.” “This year we have partnered with event services specialists such as Clean Event, GreenShoot Pacific (GSP), Xtreme Zero Waste and Fairfax Media Events which are committed to the greening of events.

“There are some stand out performances: 96% waste diversion at Sol 3 Mio Concert at Villa Maria and 85% at ACDC concert (Clean Events) 91% waste diversion at Taupo Cycle Challenge (Greenshoot Pacific) Page 2 Summer festivals are getting greener 88% waste diversion at Sounds Splash (Xtreme Zero Waste) Mayes added that: “We are also placing our new soft plastic recycling bins at the Splore festival next weekend so that festival goers can also recycle their chip packets, confectionery, ice cream wrap, bread bags and any other plastic packaging that can be scrunched in a ball. This means that there is very little packaging that can’t be recycled.”

George Seton, Managing Director Clean Event says that the secret of achieving high levels of recycling is good planning. “Achieving high levels of recycling at events comes down to good planning prior to the event; you need to know and influence what types of wastes will be produced and have a thorough plan on how you are going to separate them” Dave Watson, Director of GSP, emphasises the importance of collaboration in producing great waste results.

“The opportunity is for all stakeholders to contribute and become part of a good story where high recycling statistics reflect best practice. Putting practical solutions in place, such as manned waste stations, create pathways for good behaviour and give attendees a better experience while enhancing the brand image of the event and their sponsors.”

The Australian Institute of Packaging is the professional body for packaging technologists and other individuals involved within the packaging industry throughout Australasia.

The primary function of the Institute is to offer educational and technical training for individuals within the packaging industry as well as cross-functional networking opportunities.

The AIP is the only association in Australia and New Zealand designed to recognise, educate and assist the individuals who make up the diverse packaging industry.

Our members will now have access to the AIP programme at discounted rates and we are looking at developing tailor made programmes for our members.