In July 2018, The Packaging Forum’s members pledged to make all their
packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.
The Packaging Forum is working towards comprehensive product stewardship solutions delivered by industry, in partnership with the whole supply chain, including local and central government and communities, so all packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
Our members are working hard to meet the expectations of their customers, staff and shareholders to make their packaging more sustainable and to protect the environment from harm.
They are working to reduce packaging, find sustainable alternatives or use more recyclable or reuseable options.
It’s important to understand that it’s a tricky balance for our members – we all expect high standards of food safety, quality and low waste. Finding alternatives for packaging designed over decades to do just that, isn’t an easy task; there are many factors to consider.
Is an alternative really better for the environment or will it create other issues? Will it create a new waste stream or contaminate a current recycling stream? Will it create more carbon emissions or lead to higher food wastage? Does New Zealand have the infrastructure and processing capability to make it, collect it and take care of it at end-of-life?
Collaboration is the key to solving these problems. By working with industry, government, councils, research organisations and consumers, we can all play our part in making packaging more sustainable.
The Better Packaging Co says it has produced the world’s first mailer and poly bags using 100% recycled ocean bound plastic pollution.
All Meadow Fresh one and two-litre milk bottles are now made using 30% recycled plastic, reducing the amount of virgin plastic used by 250 tonnes a year.
Mondelēz International will now source recycled plastic for its range of Cadbury chocolate blocks sold in New Zealand and Australia.
Zespri has launched a new climate change strategy aimed at allowing it to lead the industry’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
Sustainable food packaging company Ecoware has rolled out its Compost Collect programme to seven NZ cities, with the most recent being Christchurch.
Sealed Air is leading the way in recycled plastic innovation with an innovative rollstock made from 90% recycled content and food-grade recycled PP.
