Packaging NZ and Plastics NZ welcome the report released today by the Sustainable Business Network on New Zealand’s
Plastic Packaging System and generally endorse the strategies presented to assist NZ in moving towards a circular
plastics packaging economy. The number of contributors to the report demonstrates the widespread commitment across New
Zealand’s stakeholders to be a part of the solution.
The shocking amount of plastics in the marine environment, while coming mainly from countries with under-developed waste
management infrastructure, has created an unprecedented energy and motivation to collaborate in creating solutions to
the issues. Packaging NZ and Plastics NZ are committed to sensible, well-considered, fact-based action which creates
enduring solutions and will safeguard our industries, and society in general, against knee-jerk reactions which result
in un-sustainable outcomes.
We totally support the need for a National Strategic Plan and have been advocating for this for some time. Solutions
must be found which suit the New Zealand context. It is an inescapable fact that packaging exists in a complex
eco-system. Simplified characterisation of packaging as ‘good’, ‘bad’ and ‘single-use’ ignores the important ability of
plastics packaging to safely deliver products to market in perfect condition, across long supply chains, and with lower
environmental impact than most other packaging materials.
We certainly support brand owner and retailer actions to eliminate unnecessary packaging, reduce problematic materials,
increase recycled content and to launch innovative reuse models. The biggest challenge for our industries, which
ultimately will be responsible for meeting commitments in this space, is to design systems which meet expectations but
still prevent product waste, don’t compromise health and hygiene, and that don’t put cost pressures on the most
vulnerable in our society. We must avoid changes which push manufacturing off-shore, putting New Zealand businesses and
jobs at risk, especially where it is clear there will be no net benefit socially, environmentally or economically.
The goal of a circular plastics economy, where all plastics packaging is collected, reused or recycled into similar new
products, is laudable and the ideal. The journey to achieve this goal requires government leadership both central and
local, sector collaboration, new infrastructure and considerable technical innovation. We also need to engage society to
address consumption and tackle the scourge of litter and illegal dumping which is wreaking havoc on our pristine
environment. To create such extensive and systemic change we must all work together for a better future.
ends