At the end of October I had the pleasure of attending the 2014 Rubber Recycling Symposium in Montreal in October. The theme of the symposium was “Driving Innovation to Drive Markets” and it brought together tyre makers, recyclers and programme managers from North America as well as guests from Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and Africa. The conference celebrated the achievements made in virtually clearing legacy stockpiles in North America and their high rates of recycling current end-of-life tyres, as well as shared lessons learned. Also, for the first time, tyre designers and recyclers were talking with each other about the changing makeup of tyres, how this will impact on recycling options and how to collaborate across the value chain. A consistent theme was ...
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3R has partnered with KPMG to deliver a project for the Ministry for the Environment, building on the Tyrewise reports to recommend an investment strategy for on-shore end-of-life tyre (ELT) processing. It will cover an update on the waste tyre situation, a cost benefit analysis, barriers to greater resource efficiency for waste tyres in New Zealand, and analysis of intervention options. In KPMG’s words, 3R brings “invaluable experience and a significant network of contacts through the recent Tyrewise project”. The project commences this month with the final report due in February 2015. Those involved in the industry will be contacted as part of the project, or for more information email Gareth.
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This week our team got together to recharge the batteries and set the scene for our next year or two of work. We had great speakers lined up for our staff including Hamish White from NOW. (on motivation and buzz), Adele Frewin from Weleda (on social responsibility), and Atlantic rower and South Pole explorer Kevin Biggar who was inspirational, thought provoking and entertaining all at once. We also had some practical team challenges, including our own version of The Block, where staff were challenged to upcycle a range of waste materials into a portable, one-person waterproof shelter. We’re really interested in how waste materials can be used for temporary or emergency shelters, and will be taking a closer look at this ...
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Over the past year the team at 3R has spent some time rethinking what we do and how we do it. We sought feedback from many of you, our customers and stakeholders, to find out what matters to you, and how we can best assist you and the wider community to achieve some really positive outcomes. That process resulted in some exciting answers to our questions, while at the same time guiding us towards a new brand identity, free of jargon and full of possibility. 3R Group: combining imagination and science to repurpose waste. Simple. We believe maximising the potential of resources and providing customer solutions for used products and packaging is a requirement for ALL business to stay competitive. ...
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By the same token, it takes Business, Central and Local Government to effectively collaborate! It was fantastic to read the LGNZ Manifesto 2014: Our Seven Strategic Policy Priorities recently released by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ). In it, LGNZ recognises the importance of sector-led policy on important issues for effective management of natural capital (priority #6). It also carries a very explicit reference to declaration of priority product under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 – requiring all importers of electronic equipment to sign up to a product stewardship scheme for e-Waste at the point of manufacturer, assembly, or entry to New Zealand. 3R recently enjoyed LGNZ support during two projects: 1) the development of a nationwide end-of-life tyre stewardship programme; and ...
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Leading corporate affairs practitioner and experienced director Liz Read has been elected Independent Chair of 3R Group’s Board. 3R specialises in product stewardship solutions, developing programmes to recycle or responsibly dispose of used products and packaging. Ms Read, who joined the 3R Board earlier this year, takes over from outgoing Chair Jim Scotland on Monday 1 September. “The Board is delighted that Liz has accepted the role as Independent Chair which will deliver additional strength and vitality to the organisation,” Mr Scotland says. Chief Executive Adele Rose says the organisation is extremely grateful to Jim Scotland for his significant input during his term as Chair. “Jim has made an outstanding contribution over 4 years and we thank him for that,” ...
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