Hon
David Benson-Pope - 10/10/2006 - Environment Minister
David Benson-Pope has welcomed the news that the
Packaging Accord is on track to meet its 2008
waste reduction and recycling targets, and thanked
businesses and communities for their commitment
and leadership.
Speaking at the function to
mark the two-year progress report of the Accord,
Mr Benson-Pope said the report showed many smart
initiatives to increase recycling of glass, paper,
plastics, steel, and aluminium packaging.
"In the past year, we've
seen several councils extend their kerbside recycling
to include Number 5 plastics such as icecream
and margarine tubs," Mr Benson-Pope said.
"A Glass Packaging Forum
has been established, to investigate alternative
uses for recovered glass, and the steel, paper,
and aluminium sectors are using smart strategies
to increase recovery.
Mr Benson-Pope said that while
the first two years had been about laying the
foundations for future work, year three of the
Packaging Accord would be about fast-tracking
the work programme.
"Of the 673,090 tonnes
of packaging used last year, 349,640 tonnes had
been recycled rather than sent to landfill – over
half of the total packaging used. This is thanks
to the leadership shown by communities and businesses,
and that leadership will ensure that we continue
to do even better," Mr Benson-Pope said.
"There are challenges ahead,
like the need to develop new markets for recycled
products, to deal with mixed recycling that can
contaminate glass and paper, and to encourage
industry to stretch their targets," he said.
“New public awareness and education
initiatives, guidance for local councils and activities
to better track the packaging lifecycle are all
on the cards.”
The Packaging Accord is a five-year,
voluntary agreement between the packaged goods
industry, recycling operators and central and
local government.
“All New Zealanders have a common
interest in reducing waste, as waste costs us
money and degrades our environment. Reducing waste
is integral to our clean, green national identity,
the health and wellbeing of families, and our
economic growth,” Mr Benson-Pope said.
