At its Annual General Meeting, the Glass Packaging Forum (the
Forum) released details of its performance against the targets set
out in its product stewardship scheme.

John Webber, General Manager said that in the second year of
reporting on the Forum’s scheme, one of seven schemes
accredited under the Waste Minimisation Act, it is meeting or on
track to meet its targets:-

"In New Zealand 242,300 tonnes of glass containers were consumed
equivalent to around 945 million bottles or jars. Our industry pays
a voluntary levy totaling $3.90 per tonne with contributions from
manufacturers and importers of glass packaging, brand owners and
retailers which raised $704,215 to support initiatives to increase
glass recycling. This includes:-

$248,212 allocated to community and recycling groups to assist with
glass recovery;

$135,000 allocated to consumer awareness initiatives including
promoting recycling at the Classic Hits Winery Tour;
Auckland’s Lantern Festival; Tauranga’s National Jazz
Festival ; Waikato’s Splore Festival and the nationwide
Smokefree Rockquest; and

$63,140 allocated to projects which recovered 10726 tonnes of
glass.

"66.4% glass was recycled either into new glass containers or used
in other applications here in New Zealand. That’s equivalent
to around 626 million glass containers. Whilst we recorded a
slightly lower rate than in 2011, we have not included a
significant amount of glass collected during the year which is
being held for future use as aggregate.

"As glass recovery increases, it is important that we retain our
focus on increasing the amount of glass recycled into high value
reuses and this has increased by 15% over last year reflecting a
major contribution by glass manufacturer OI-NZ.

"With many industry associations noting a decline in membership the
Forum has again increased its membership with a net gain of 8
companies.

"As a result of our management of the Love NZ public place
recycling initiative, we have signed formal agreements with 26
local authorities representing 80% ratepayers and more importantly
built real partnerships.

"The glass recycling rate is affected by the choices consumers make
at home and in public places; the availability of recycling
facilities; and how glass is processed during collection and
processing. I believe the Forum is leading industry into a new
paradigm of cooperation with the public sector. Our strategy has
always been to build strong relationships with councils and
Government so that industry is seen as part of the solution not the
source of the problem. We believe waste reduction should be
addressed at ‘best cost’ and that the results show that
our voluntary product stewardship scheme is the right approach.

"In Auckland we have worked closely with Auckland Council to
understand the issues facing them in terms of waste management and
why they make the choices they do. It is easy for industry and
councils to take polarised views as to who should pay for
recycling. In reality the consumer whether as a ratepayer or as a
shopper pays but if we want to increase recycling without incurring
huge costs, we have to move beyond industry taking the view that
recycling should be funded through rates and councils seeking to
reduce their rates bill by pushing the burden onto industry. The
voluntary approach taken by the glass industry shows what can be
achieved through collaboration. "

The Forum also released research conducted by Horizon Research in
July which provides the following insights into glass packaging
use, recycling and reuse:-

The weekly use of glass containers has increased slightly (67.5%
using 1 to 5 containers per week, 64% in 2011 and 2010).

A third of New Zealanders rate their recycling efforts as excellent
at home, work and in public

Recycling of glass containers at the kerbside outside home remains
constant at 84.4% (83.7% in 2011 up from 73.2% in 2010); recycling
glass containers at work remains constant at 11% as does using
community or school drop off centres at 11.3% (10.3% in 2010)

Collection of glass containers in wheelie bins with other items for
recycling has increased slightly to 47.1% (45.4% in 2011 and 38% in
2010), while glass collected separately in a crate has fallen
slightly from 25.8% to 24.3%

62.9% are reusing glass bottles and jars, 53% plastic water bottles
and 39.8% specially designed refillable drinks/sports bottles. Only
13% are not refilling or reusing containers.

72.7% think the glass they put out for recycling is melted down and
used to make new glass containers, 36.1% think it goes to make
aggregate for roading, 15.6% washed and used again.