Packaging
Every business has to deal with packaging, whether disposing of packaging
from suppliers, or designing and developing packaging for their own products.
So it’s
important to understand what happens to waste packaging. Each year discarded
packaging makes up about one-eighth of the waste in our landfills. New Zealanders
throw away about 83 kilograms of used packaging per person, per year.
By re-designing and thinking about packaging, you can make a difference to the amount of rubbish that ends up in landfill sites. Recycling and reusing packaging materials could also:
- Prove a cost saver. Using fewer materials or recycled rather than virgin materials can save money.
- Attract new customers. Redesigned packaging could appeal to consumers who are interested in buying products that are better for the environment.
All businesses can use packaging in a more sustainable way. Check out the links below for more information.
Organisations
Packaging Council of NZ
The council provides information about the environmental effects of packaged goods, waste packaging, waste materials collection, recycling, reuse and residual management. It also works to initiate voluntary action addressing the issue of packaging waste.
Plastics NZ
Plastics NZ offers information on the sustainable design of plastics, including design guidelines for recyclable plastics.
Recycling Operators of NZ Inc (RONZ)
The Recycling Operators of NZ Inc (RONZ) is an organisation that represents recycling service providers, operators and educators in the recovered materials and recycling industry.
Other resources
Code of Practice for the Packaging of Consumer Goods (Packaging Council of NZ)
This self-regulating code applies to all packaging of consumer goods in NZ (domestic and imported). It is intended to promote excellence in packaging and encourage packaging with minimal impact on the environment. This packaging must still preserve product integrity and provide information to the consumer.
New Zealand Packaging Accord (Ministry for the Environment)
The Accord is an initiative to cut down on packaging. Industry, recyclers, local and central government have voluntarily committed to doing what they can to reduce the proportion of packaging in our total waste stream. Under the Accord, producers and brand owners will develop new packaging that gives higher regard to using fewer materials, and using recycled rather than virgin materials. They will also look at production efficiency, and the potential for recycling after the packaging is no longer needed.
Paper and Packaging Life Cycle Assessment (Centre for Design (Melbourne))
This Australian study shows there are net benefits in recycling as opposed to sending waste to landfill
Recycling Signs (Recycling Operators of NZ)
Go here to get your recycling symbols. The New Zealand Recycling Symbols is an initiative to standardise recycling signage throughout New Zealand, enhance public participation in recycling and ensure the correct separation of materials.
Websites
The Reduce Your Rubbish website
This site provides information, resources and ideas for everyone to reduce the amount of the rubbish they generate.
Think something should be added to Simply Sustainable? Send your suggestion to webmaster@mfe.govt.nz.
