Minister for the Environment, Hon David Parker, has announced funding for projects that will cut plastic waste. Industry organisation the Packaging Forum will also be provided funding to develop a two-year regulated plastic packaging stewardship scheme.
“Today, I am announcing the first four investments to be made from the $50 million Plastics Innovation Fund, which was set up last year and implemented a 2020 election promise,” said Parker.
The projects are;
- Marley NZ partnering with Waste Management and Unitec to minimise construction waste by breaking down old plumbing pipes made of PVC and HDPE and using the material to make new pipes.
- A research and development project by Pinehurst Associates, in collaboration with Scion, to develop bio-degradable nursery pots as an alternative to traditional plastic pots. The pots would degrade once planted to support plant growth.
- A partnership with Policon to expand New Zealand’s onshore recycling capability, by turning waste polystyrene, such as you find in appliance packaging, into innovative building products.
- An initiative with Kaipaki Dairies that extends their reusable milk keg delivery service, removing up to a million single-use plastic milk bottles per annum.
“We are also utilising funding from the Waste Minimisation Fund to help design a regulated plastic packaging product stewardship scheme for New Zealand. Once in place it will require producers, brand owners, importers, retailers and consumers to take responsibility for collecting and dealing with plastic packaging.”
The Government is providing $994,900 to the scheme, with The Packaging Forum and NZ Food and Grocery Council also contributing to a total of $1,361,000.
“Together, these investments will help reduce the amount of plastic waste that gets into the environment and into landfill. They build on the decisive action the Government has already taken to tackle the problem of plastic pollution, including the ban on single-use plastic bags, polystyrene food and drink packaging and other single-use plastic items.”
