Voluntary Glass Levies Make a Difference

Voluntary Glass Levies Make a Difference

The Glass Packaging Forum (the Forum) has published its “Making a Difference” Guide promoting successful projects to help generate ideas and uptake of programmes that increase glass recovery.

The Guide has been sent to every Council in New Zealand and is also available on line http://www.glassforum.org.nz

John Webber, General Manager of the Forum said that the Guide has been written as a “show and tell” information source for councils and communities across New Zealand:

“It’s our job to make people aware of the options available to increase the quality and quantity of glass recovered. Every year New Zealanders use around 240,000 tonnes of glass containers which is equivalent to around 950 million glass bottles and jars of varying sizes. That’s a lot of glass and it’s great that 69% or around 653 million glass containers gets recycled either into new glass containers or used in other applications here in New Zealand. We are not far short of glass recycling rates held up by many as world class that have been achieved under heavily regulated systems.”

“The best possible end use for glass is for it to be recycled into new glass bottles and the Forum works with councils and communities around the country to help collect glass so that it is ‘ready for the furnace’. However over the past seven years we have also helped develop alternative uses for recovered glass bottles which aren’t always collected in a way that is going to make them suitable for remanufacture.”

“We are now actively targeting the 30% of glass that is not being recycled by seeking projects which will address this deficit. Helping communities improve their glass collection infrastructure will increase both the amount and quantity of glass recovered. For example by introducing glass bottle banks or glass bunkers, glass can be collected by colour which makes it ideal for the furnace. We have also found that portable glass bin-tainers make excellent temporary collection facilities at events. The “Making a Difference” Guide shows examples of best practice methods which have been funded by the Forum and which could benefit other regions.”

“This year we have allocated over $90,000 to promote recycling at events around the country including the Classic Hits Winery Tour; Smokefree Rockquest; Horse of the Year Show; Tauranga Jazz Festival; Otago Seafood Festival; the Lantern Festival and next month’s Diwali Festival in Auckland.”

“In addition we are looking for innovative research projects to increase glass recovery cost effectively. All waste glass collected is recycled in New Zealand but the cost of moving waste glass from point of collection to point of recycling has an impact on viability. We have recently awarded a grant to Canterbury University to investigate the use of crushed waste glass as a replacement for cement.”

The Forum raises around $700,000 each year in voluntary levies from members and uses this money to provide grants to projects and initiatives which will both improve the quality of recovered glass and reduce waste to landfill.

At the current glass recycling rate New Zealand is comparable with the average glass recycling rate across the European Union which has now reached 70% and better than the UK (60%) and Australia (52%).

Organisations seeking funding for glass related projects can get further information on http://www.glassforum.org.nz

The Forum’s Glass Packaging Product Stewardship Scheme is one of nine schemes accredited under the Waste Minimisation Act. The scheme currently covers over 80% of the glass on the market in New Zealand primarily for food and beverages and includes the major manufacturer of glass containers, brand owners and retailers. The Forum captures recycling data from 89% local authorities and has MOUs with 32 councils representing over 80% ratepayers

In addition The Glass Packaging Forum manages the Public Place Recycling Scheme and Litter Abatement Programme which supports the Love NZ brand and sets targets to recycle paper, plastic, cans and glass packaging consumed in public places and to reduce litter.

ENDS

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