MEDIA RELEASE

Local Government New Zealand welcomes glass agreement

For immediate release on 26 May 2005

Local Government New Zealand has welcomed an agreement by brand owners and producers using glass packaging to pay a voluntary levy on imported glass to help support the cost of glass recovery.

“We are pleased that an industry agreement has been reached, this is a positive step forward for helping the recycling industry and for local councils to continue glass collections in their communities,” says Local Government New Zealand’s President Basil Morrison.

“The agreement by industry to a levy on glass throws many councils a lifeline for the next six months while further work is done to find a long term solution to glass recovery issues.

“Local Government New Zealand is looking forward to obtaining more detail of the proposal and working through what the resolution means for councils,” says Mr Morrison.

Issues surrounding glass recycling have concerned councils since ACI Glass made the decision last year to reduce the price paid to their suppliers for recovered glass.

Mr Morrison says the local government sector has been asking industry to play a greater role in glass recovery and he is pleased that an agreement has been reached which benefits councils, communities and the environment.

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