Liz Read named as 3R’s Independent Chair

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,” Mrs Rose says.

“Liz moving into the role of Independent Chair is very positive. She will be able to build on Jim’s legacy as the Board matures, and deliver on the shareholder’s passion and vision for 3R. We’re very focussed on combining imagination and science to repurpose waste.”

Liz Read has enjoyed a successful career in public and private sector communications spanning two decades and is currently External Relations Director for trans-Tasman company Lion. She is also a member of the Institute of Directors and is on the board of the Sustainable Business Council of New Zealand.

“Liz has a wealth of experience in sustainability, as well as specialist skills in social marketing, public education and strategic communications,” Mrs Rose says. “She will be a great asset, enhancing our strategic communications, mentoring our team, and increasing our links to central government.”

3R has been working in the product stewardship space since its inception in 2004 and has focused on providing a complete service – from design and delivery of a scheme, through to recycling the waste stream. Programmes managed by 3R include Agrecovery Rural Recycling which deals with chemicals and their packaging, and Resene PaintWise and the Dulux Paint and Packaging Take Back Programme, both of which collect and process waste paint and packaging, recycling the packaging and using the paint for graffiti abatement and other applications.

Mrs Rose says the company sees huge potential coming from a worldwide trend of consumers expecting industry to take more responsibility for their problematic waste.

“With New Zealand’s clean green image a critical factor for our economy, the market for designing solution-based programmes for this waste is opening up, and this is an area where 3R can really add value.”

Shareholders include product stewardship specialist, Graeme Norton, Sir Stephen Tindall through K1W1, John Stace, and Jim Scotland.