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Plastic packaging regulation is coming, are you ready?

By Natalie Martin on March 10th, 2021 in Food and beverage, Policy, regulation and legislation, Product Stewardship
Plastic packaging regulation is coming 3R asks are you ready

The way New Zealand deals with single-use plastic packaging is set to undergo a monumental shift, affecting everyone along its supply chain, but is it on your agenda?

On 29 July 2020 Government declared single-use plastic packaging a priority product under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 – something which seems to have snuck under the radar for many companies.

The announcement means regulated product stewardship schemes will have to be established to manage these products from creation to end of life – ensuring they are reused, recycled or properly disposed of. There’s also a set time frame of between one and three years, and being regulated means all members of a product’s supply chain will be compelled to participate.

Interestingly, this is where most people I talk to sigh with relief, thinking it’s something for their packaging supplier to worry about. However, the Ministry for the Environment’s documentation guidelines include importers, manufacturers, brand owners and retailers, so don’t cross it off your ‘to do’ list.

The announcement included all plastic packaging from type 1 through 7, and any composite materials which contain these plastics. A quick look inside any household rubbish bin will reveal just how big the scope of the announcement is.

This is why taking a collective approach to this issue is so important.

So where to from here? Firstly, don’t panic and begin swapping packaging to other materials like fibre or compostables, as we’ve seen a number of unintended consequences from this – both for the environment and supply chains.

Most industry bodies have waded through the finer details and joining them will enable robust discussion and a collective approach to complying with the new regulations.

Right now, the challenge may seem daunting, but you are not alone. This is something the entire supply chain must solve together.

The upside: More onshore processing for plastic recycling and production of recycled resin, less plastic in landfills and a greatly enhanced social license to operate for everyone involved.

The first in a series written for NZ Food Technology.

Natalie Martin is 3R Group’s Materials Innovation Manager
Connect with Natalie on LInkedIn

Previous Bulldozer at landfill 3R's take on new government waste strategy

How the cost of waste will change New Zealand for the better

Next 3R's Natalie Martin time for business to tackle single use plastic

The time for your business to tackle plastic is now

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ISO 14001:2015

Environmental management systems and safe work practices.

ISO 14001:2015 is an internationally recognised standard that certifies our commitment to environmental management systems and safe work practices.

Consistent with our environmental policy, the intended outcomes of our environmental management system include:

  • The enhancement of environmental performance;
  • The fulfilment of compliance obligations;
  • The achievement of environmental objectives.

Our ISO 14001:2015 certification includes 3R Operations, the Paint Product Stewardship Programmes, ChemCollect Service and the SeatSmart Child Car Seat Recycling Programme (owned and operated by 3R).

This certification is audited by TELARC.

ISO 45001:2018

Keeping our people safe, healthy and happy.

ISO 45001:2018 certification has been chosen to demonstrate the importance we place in caring for our people as we bring to life our values of Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga.

Keeping our team safe, healthy and happy is a primary focus for our business. We feel that the work our operations staff do makes this particularly important. Their responsibilities can include collecting and processing paint; collecting chemicals; driving trucks around the country; and getting hands-on with work wherever needed.

3R received ISO 45001:2018 certification in 2021. The ISO 45001:2018 certificate is valid for 3 years and includes annual surveillance audits which provide a valuable framework for further growth.

What is a circular economy?

New Zealand is “one of the highest generators of waste per person in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)”. The way we currently produce and manage our waste is not sustainable.

The current economy in New Zealand is linear: this equates to a process of take-make-use-dispose. The aim of the government is to move towards a circular economy.

A circular economy can refer to either biological or technical materials.

With biological materials, the cycle could be defined as make-consume-enrich. In this cycle waste returns to the environment and enriches the land.

A technical materials cycle may be more like make-use-return. In a technical materials cycle waste is repurposed and used to make something new.

Whether you need help with biological materials, technical materials, or both; 3R can partner with your business to assess your current waste, then help you reduce it.