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Welcome & Agenda Guest speaker – Hamish Pringle, Westpac Private Bank Why are we here? What is smartpackaging? Common packaging materials New materials - bioplastics Questions and discussion Packaging challenge

What is the problem?

Packaging Waste Statistics We make 172 kg of packaging waste per person every year in New Zealand* 100 kg is recycled 72 kg is thrown out *Packaging council 2008 mass balance data

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Packing it all up

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Winners of 2011 Awards

Consumer Expectations 94% of consumers want to choose packaging recycled and reused. (Unpackit Survey 2011) 86% of consumers are concerned with the amount of packaging they have to deal with. (Unpackit Survey 2011) 88% of consumers want to buy environmentally or socially responsible products. (Colmar Brunton research in New Zealand, 2010) But will they pay extra?

What is smart packaging?

It's smart to use less packaging. Where packaging is necessary, it needs to be easy to reuse, compost or recycle. Smart packaging doesn't frustrate you or harm our environment. Smartpackaging

Reduce Reuse Recycle

Reduce – no packaging?

Reduce – fewer materials

Reduce – lightweighting

Reduce Reuse Recycle

Reuse Industrial reuse – whole system Retail reuse – refilling Home Reuse – limited, consumer dependant

Reduce Reuse Recycle

97 %

Maximising Recyclability of Packaging Closed loop recycling Minimise contaminants Choose materials with high recycling rates Choose materials that are universally accepted for kerbside recycling

Recycling and Collection Rates Paper/Cardboard 73% recycled Steel 68% Aluminium 48% Plastics 24% Glass 68% Accepted by 99% of kerbside collections 1-7 accepted by 72% of kerbside collections

Not widely recycled Polystyrene Plastic and aluminium film Composite packaging (eg TetraPaks) Disposable Coffee Cups

Where does it go? In NZ some glass and paper is recycled at O-I and Full Circle plants in Auckland. Auckland household paper & cardboard goes offshore Some steel is recycled onshore into fencing wire and reinforcing rods Most plastics and all aluminium is shipped offshore for recycling

Using Recycled Content & FSC FSC - forests with the highest social and environmental standards Helps to create markets for recycling Glass produced in NZ contains average 48% recycled content Aluminium and steel – hard to know % of recycled content Potential issues with food contact packaging

Bioplastics

What are Bioplastics made from plants and/or biodegrade at the end of their life.

Biodegradable vs Compostable Biodegradable –Capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms and thereby avoiding pollution Compostable –Standards –Industrial vs home compost

End of life scenarios How likely is it to be composted?

Landfill

Degradable Bags

UK Department for Environment Study 2010 “We hope this research will discourage manufacturers and retailers from claiming that these materials are better for the environment than conventional plastics.” UK Environment Minister, Dan Norris

Labelling and Making Green Claims

Labelling Need to be clear and accurate Build brand value

Plastics Identification Code

New or uncommon materials What is it? Where to put it when you are finished

Green Claims Obligations under Fair Trading Act 1986 NZ Commerce Commission – Guidelines for Green Marketing Claims should be specific and accurate. You should be able to substantiate any environmental claim. Terra Choice – The 7 Sins of Green-Washing

Making Smart Choices

Where do you start? Look at the requirements of your packaging Set goals Measure progress

Things to consider Minimal packaging to do the job Which materials to use Sourcing materials End of life options Clear and accurate labelling

More information NZ Packaging Council – voluntary product stewardship scheme Sustainable Packaging Coalition – US Smartpackaging.org.nz

Questions ?

Packaging Challenge

Need to think about What does the product require? What are the possible options that could work? What are the end of life options for recovery? Communication/instructions for consumer – how, what, where? Make a recommendation..explain how it adds value

It's smart to use less packaging. Where packaging is necessary, it needs to be easy to reuse, compost or recycle. Smart packaging doesn't frustrate you or harm our environment.

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