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.
Foodstuffs and Prolife Foods are trialling a new, recycled paper packaging solution in the Alison’s Pantry departments of 30 stores.
The Collective, is leading the charge as the first yoghurt company in New Zealand to use recycled plastic (rPET) in its packaging.
Cottonsoft’s new EarthSmart 360˚ Recyclable Paper Pack is the creation of a full 360˚ circular product.
Beverage company Frucor Suntory has taken another significant step in its commitment to sustainable production with the introduction of 750ml glass bottles for its NZ Natural still and sparkling water.
Thousands of people are bringing their own containers to supermarkets for meat, fish and salads, but Foodstuffs CEO Chris Quin says it could take time for the movement to become mainstream.
New Zealand Post has begun testing a range of completely recyclable paper-based bags. From 12 August 2019 they began piloting paper-based jiffy bags and flat paper bags in some stores.
