Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Outputs from Masterclasses - Circulate, Innovate, Eliminate
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Creating a circular
economy for plastic
packaging that works
in New Zealand by 2025.
Plastic Packaging
Circular Innovation
Outputs from Masterclasses January 2020
Programme - Circulate, Innovate, Eliminate
Executive Summary.
In 2019 the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) brought key Action is happening. However more co-ordination, support
representatives from the packaging system together for three and focus is needed.
Plastic Packaging Masterclasses. Our core motivation was to
address the urgent issue of plastic packaging polluting our The masterclasses have played an instigating role, and are set
environment. Our approach is to help a cohort of packaged to continue in 2020.
goods suppliers begin to create a circular economy for plastic
packaging in New Zealand. The events were designed to help
this cohort meet packaging commitments that stipulate 100%
of plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by
2025.
The way New Zealand uses and deals with plastic packaging is
changing. It’s clear the necessary changes cannot be achieved
by individual companies or sectors working in isolation.
The whole packaging system, from design through to end
of life, needs to be taken into account to avoid unintended
consequences like food waste or breakdowns in supply chains.
The Masterclasses built on the recommendations from
SBN’s report ‘New Zealand’s Plastic Packaging System – an
initial circular economy diagnosis’. They used the framework
of Eliminate, Innovate and Circulate from the New Plastics
Economy global initiative from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
From these events SBN created and augmented the relevant
tools available to New Zealand businesses. These include
guides to recycling and packaging design.
Outputs from Masterclasses 2
- Circulate, Innovate, Eliminate
Executive Summary.
Summary of reccomendations
Packaging designers and suppliers should:
Packaged goods suppliers should:
• ensuring packaging is designed in line with a circular economy as
• audit the amount and types of packaging they use to create a
genuinely reusable, recyclable or compostable
baseline to work from
• scale up research and development into new materials and
• reduce or eliminate problematic single-use packaging wherever
solutions
possible
• seek alternatives to single-use plastic options, particularly
reusable models Government and local authorities should:
• only use compostable packaging where the necessary processing • use legislation to tackle the key problematic areas
infrastructure is readily accessible
• support the development of required infrastructure for on-
• move to plastics with the highest recycling value (clear PET and shore processing of plastic packaging
natural HDPE).
• avoid laminates where possible
• source recycled content, ideally from New Zealand, to keep
plastics in high-value circulation and out of the environment
Outputs from Masterclasses 3
- Circulate, Innovate, EliminateIntroduction.
The following report contains the key The following is a summary of what was achieved in each of
the three Masterclasses.
outputs from the Sustainable Business
Network’s (SBN) Masterclass Series in the
Plastic Packaging Innovation Programme. The three masterclasses in the series were:
The programme is designed to create a circular economy 1 Circulate - 31 July 2019
for plastic packaging that works in New Zealand by 2025. Recycling with radically improved economics and quality
It was created by SBN as a part of its Circular Economy 2 Innovate - 15 October 2019
Accelerator (CEA) initiative. The CEA was established in 2018 Moving away from problematic plastics to new materials,
to lead SBN’s effort to hasten the adoption of a circular including compostable packaging
economy in New Zealand.
3 Eliminate - 20 November 2019
The Masterclass Series is presented in partnership with Designing out problematic and single use packaging by
New Zealand King Salmon, the Ministry for Primary moving towards reuse and other models
Industries and Foodstuffs NZ. It builds on SBN’s report, New
Zealand’s Plastic Packaging System – an initial circular
economy diagnosis.
For more information please contact:
The masterclasses are centred around a group, or cohort, of kate@sustainable.org.nz he series aims to bring together
leading packaged goods suppliers committed to improving the wider packaging system - packaging ouncil & government - to
the circularity of New Zealand’s packaging. help a cohort of 10 packaged goods suppliers make more informed
packaging decisions and strategise to meet those 202
The 2019 series brought together a total of 122 individuals,
representing 50 organisations, from across the wider
packaging system (packaging designers & suppliers, retailers,
waste processors, scientists, innovators and council &
government). The aims were to help packaged goods
suppliers make more informed packaging decisions and
navigate towards 2025 packaging commitments.
Outputs from Masterclasses 4
- Circulate, Innovate, EliminateTable of contents.
What do we know now? 6 What should we do now? 35
Seminar sessions – key points 7 Who’s who and where to look for help 36
What’s happening here in NZ? 12
Definition of terms 38
Should I use compostable packaging? 16
Packaging design for recyclability 21 Plastics resins guide 39
What needs to happen and when? 23
Summary of boards and conversation 24
Pathway to 2025 30
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 5
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now? Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging 6 that works in New Zealand by 2025
What do we know now?
regulation in place around global trade of
Seminar Sessions plastic waste in the future. The Basel Convention
amendment will come into force on 1 January
Duncan Wilson, Eunomia
Overview of the current NZ recycling system
Key Points 2021.
5. A circular economy approach to plastics will
1. The majority of plastic packaging ends up
in households.
require a collaborative approach that includes iwi,
Masterclass #1 - Circulate innovators, industry, business, science, consumers
2. Plastics are sorted in Material Recovery
Facilities.
and government.
3. The more sorting that has to be done the
Roderick Boyes & Liz Butcher, more it costs.
Ministry for the Environment Marc Gaugler, Scion
Current & projected medium term status 4. Most plastic goes overseas for recycling - which
Overview of the science of plastics
depends heavily on international markets.
1. Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Transition 1. Plastics are one of the most versatile materials,
(RECET) is a two-year programme approved through 5. Technically recyclable is not the same as
which have revolutionised our way of life.
Cabinet. It aims to reform New Zealand’s waste economically recyclable: Only clear polyethlene
management system to reduce waste, increase 2. Most plastics are made from petroleum-based terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene
resource recovery and transition New Zealand sources, but there are bio-based alternatives. (HDPE) have ever really been economically viable –
towards a circular economy. There is no general answer to the question ‘are use them!
these new materials better or worse?’.
2. A taskforce was set up last year to respond
to the Chinese National Sword Policy, which placed 3. Mixing of different plastics in one product Jenny Marshall, WasteMINZ
a restriction on the import of many recycling complicates recycling. Features that appear trivial Consumer behaviour & designing for
materials. The taskforce looked at can also have a detrimental effect on current recyclability
how our resource recovery system is functioning. recycling efforts.
Its recommendations will form part of the RECET 1. It is a universally acknowledged truth that everyone
work programme. 4. While plastics are durable materials most of thinks they know how to recycle.
beehive.govt.nz/release/plan-recharge-recycling them cannot be mechanically recycled an infinite
number of times without the performance of the 2. However, almost no one really understands how
3. The single-use plastic shopping bag regulations material being reduced. recycling works.
have helped to bring the conversation around waste
into the public domain. RECET will build on this 5. Plastics can be - and are already - used in closed 3. In order to design for recyclability we need to
through exploring options to expand loop systems, but material choice, article design, understand consumer behaviour.
the waste levy, looking at resource recovery and end-of-life need to be aligned for a closed-
infrastructure and systems and investigating loop article to work. 4. People tend to make recycling decisions based on
the role of product stewardship. their familiarity with a particular product, rather
than technical knowledge.
4. Recent global agreements to amend the
Basel Convention mean there will be improved
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 7
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
5. Councils and recyclers are working together to but how we make packaging fit into a “sustainable Change the behaviour, not simply the material.
determine opportunities for greater national system”.
consistency. 2. There is no silver bullet. Solutions to plastic
pollution need to happen at all levels. Sustainable
Coastlines operates at a grassroots level, enabling
Robert Breukers, Callaghan Innovation New Zealanders to take action themselves.
Sharon Humphreys, Packaging NZ & Rachel Barker, Innovating with recovered materials
Plastics NZ 3. Collaboration is crucial. Work together, share ideas,
The role of plastic packaging 1. There are multiple technologies available or being and let’s solve this problem together. All the data,
developed to get value from materials where they insights and solutions on the litterintelligence.org
1. Modern society relies on packaging to deliver cannot be recycled back into the same product. platform are open-sourced. This allows Kiwis to
goods, safely, undamaged and uncontaminated.
influence change at every level, whether through
Packaging communicates product infomation, 2. Recycling can create wood substitute products from education, in their community, product design,
including ingredients and quantities, recovered plastics, e.g fence posts. infrastructure or government legislation.
recommendations/instructions for usage,
appropriate storage and expiry dates. 3. Separation treatments can be used to recover
components of multilayer packaging, or to remove
2. Finding zero-impact packaging solutions is, as contaminants like pigments from plastics. Liz Butcher, Ministry for the Environment (MFE)
yet, not possible. All packaging material which Government update
undergoes a manufacturing process creates an 4. Chemical recycling can be used to convert polyethlene
environmental impact sometime, somewhere. terephthalate (PET) to its original constituents or to 1. The Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy
convert waste plastics to crude oil substitutes. Transition (RECET) work programme aims to reduce
3. Today’s siloed approach to ‘sustainable packaging’ waste, increase resource recovery and transition
is ill-equipped to reconcile trade-offs between 5. Callaghan Innovation has grants, programmes and New Zealand towards a circular economy.
the need for efficient packaging and the inability scientific capability available to assist companies with
of infrastructure to recover the value in discarded their R&D goals. It includes work on:
packaging. If we add carbon implications, the
potential for food waste impacts and safety and - Investigation into waste levy expansion and
hygiene factors into the mix it is hardly surprising
that we have lost consumers somewhere along Masterclass #2 - Innovate waste data collection.
the way. - National Resource Recovery work programme
planning to investigate and develop plans to
4. Recycling is currently a minefield of confusion. It Stephanie Vercoe, Sustainable Coastlines recharge recycling.
is not the only solution for discarded packaging. The reality of what’s leaking into our environment
- Product stewardship - consultation on regulated
5. Let’s elevate the conversations so we aren’t 1. While plastic is the main offender, we need product stewardship closed on 4 October
thinking about making “sustainable packaging” to move away from single-use culture in general. with six priority products discussed including
packaging.
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclass #2 and #3 8
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
- Basel Convention – global commitment to better 4. Anything heavily contaminated due to poor
manage mixed plastics. or no cleaning will be landfilled. The common culprits Marie Joo Le Guen, Scion
are peanut butter, mayonnaise and personal hygiene Where are we at with alternatives to traditional
- Transitioning towards a circular economy - bigger products, generally items that are oily/sticky. petroleum based plastics?
than just waste – transport, tourism, construction,
energy. 5. Plans are in place to maximize material recovery. 1. Bioplastics are not all equal and green!
Currently Clear PET and Natural HDPE are sorted
into high value bundles, with coloured PET and HDPE 2. Infrastructure for the end of life of bioplastic has not
mixed in with plastics 3-7 to increase the value of yet been established.
Nick Baker, Visy mixed plastic bundles. In the future sorting could
Improving recycling - What do we need to innovate occur in five potential streams: 3. We are only starting to unveil the potential for
away from?
production of valuable chemicals through refining
- Clear PET organic matter.
1. Labelling needs to be clear, precise and easily
interpretable by the end user. The recycling industry - Coloured PET 4. We need concerted efforts to set up a circular
in New Zealand needs a system that is understood by
bioeconomy in New Zealand.
consumers. The Australian Recycling Label offers clear - Natural HDPE
directions, taking the confusion out of recycling.
- Coloured HDPE
2. When it comes to packaging design here are Logan Dingle, Living Earth
some things to consider: - Polypropylene (PP) Overview of composting
- Anything smaller than 50mm will likely not 1. Compostable packaging and, in particular,
be recycled. compostable plastics have the potential to cause
Gaetano Dedual & Jacob Kohn, Futurity
significant challenges for prospective processors.
- When materials are mixed or layered it makes Innovating the system
This is from a biological process perspective as well
recycling too difficult and expensive so will likely as operational factors such as processing timeframe,
not be recycled via kerbside collections 1. Collaboration throughout the value chain is essential
organic certification and Resource Consent.
to drive change and all members within the value chain
- Soft plastics cannot be recycled via kerbside need to demand change.
2. Certified compliance against an accepted standard is
collections. a key prerequisite, but may not be sufficient to gain
2. With respect to end-of-life (EOL) there is no silver
acceptance for individual processors.
3. Clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and natural bullet. Ask what is the right material and EOL for the
high-density polyethylene (HDPE) retain the most right application, market, geography, demographic etc.
3. Economic and product nutrient benefits are unlikely to
value within the recycling chain. If possible avoid offset the processing challenges.
coloured PET, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) trays, polylactic 3. Right material choices for EOL and application need
acid (PLA), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and to be thought through and factored against relevant
polystyrene (PS). externalities.
4. New infrastructure needs to be efficient,
complimentary and involve new technologies.
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 9
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
Masterclass #3 - Eliminate Vaughan Whyte, FoodCap hazards associated with food contact materials
Case Study - The FoodCap story: lies with the food business.
1. Consumer expectations for introduction of 2. Failure to address hazards can mean
Nick Morrison, Go Well Consulting chemical, microbiological or physical fragment
sustainable packaging are intensifying, but
Case study - Consumer learnings from Bags Not consumers can be unpredictable. The speed contamination of food and consequent food
Campaign: of consumer backlash to poor practices, safety risks.
communicated via social media is unprecedented,
1. Get well-informed then engage with customers and this can impact your brand value, share price 3. A range of aspects need to be considered with
to explain your why and how. and consumer trust. moves towards recycling or replacement of
food packaging; these include integrity, sterility,
2. Be authentic. 2. There is a risk that knee jerk reaction to ‘plastic process contamination and material migration.
panic’ may drive poor decisions and unanticipated
3. Show bright spots to prove it works and can
outcomes. Some companies are searching for
be done.
the ‘silver bullet’, a one-size-fits-all solution, but James Griffin, SBN
it doesn’t exist. The majority of packaging will
4. Behaviour change takes time, stick at it. Elimination and Reuse - Overview:
become more expensive, and this will impact the
5. Be empathetic to the change experience - end consumer. Companies will need to become
1. At a global level to reach 2025 packaging
it’s really hard for some. smarter at looking along the entire supply chain
commitments it is estimated that 30% of current
to gain efficiencies and cost advantage to offset
packaging needs to be eliminated via redesign and
these higher packaging costs.
innovation. 20% needs to move from single use
3. Front end consumer packaging is receiving the to reuse models and 50% needs to remain in high
majority of focus, (high consumer visibility + value circulation via radically improved recycling.
Francesca Goodman-Smith, Foodstuffs New
Zealand high fear of consumer backlash), but addressing
2. High profile examples of elimination are being
Case study - Elimination up the supply chain the mountain of back end (transport packaging)
seen with multipack packaging (e.g. canned
is equally as important. Developing reusable
goods) and lids for ‘on the go’ containers.
1. Collaboration across the supply chain is essential transport packaging solutions can be easier
to bring about a ‘reusables culture’. than commercialising them. Initial traction will
3. Customer reaction to packaging changes is not yet
likely come from developing closed loop logistics
fully understood, so pilots and trials are underway
2. Clear processes and accountability is essential to models.
as opposed to full conversions to alternative
embedding reusables in logistics networks. designs and solutions.
3. Reusables can deliver functional, environmental 4. Edible packaging is gaining interest as an
Andrew Pearson, New Zealand Food Safety
and financial savings to businesses. opportunity to eliminate traditional plastics.
Food safety considerations when changing
materials or moving to reuse:
1. The responsibility for identifying and mitigating
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 10
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
5. The four reuse models (refill on the go, refill
at home, return on the go, return from home) Rachel Chiaroni Clark, Office of Prime Ministers
outlined by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Chief Science Advisor
provide a useful framework for focusing Key recommendations from PMCSA Rethinking
innovation on key usage areas. Plastics Report:
6. There is evidence of businesses focusing on 1. Rethinking Plastics provides an evidence-based
different packaging configurations that emphasise system-wide overview of plastics in NZ, along
elimination/reduction and reuse for online sales with a series of recommendations to government
where ‘shelf presence’ is not so relevant and on ways to mitigate the issues related to plastics,
there is more opportunity for customer education. while retaining its many benefits. The outputs
from the project are 1) a long, detailed report; 2) a
short summary report; 3) a website; 4) a resource
Barbara Nebel, thinkstep portal – available at pmcsa.ac.nz.
Avoiding unintended consequences when 2. The four workstreams are based on 1) the cultural
changing packaging: transformation in how we use and dispose of
plastic; 2) the innovations and ideas we can adopt
1. A full life cycle approach helps to avoid
to make plastic use more sustainable; 3) the
unintended consequences from shifting burdens
environmental impacts of plastic; 4) quantifying
from one stage of the life cycle to another, or
use and material flows of plastics in NZ.
from one environmental impact to another. We
need to consider marine plastics as well as 3. Our overarching recommendation is to implement
carbon emissions and can’t just focus on one a national plastics action plan that outlines a
issue. clear vision and timeline of actions, and signals
expectations for the transition to a circular
2. We need to shift from recycling to upcycling.
economy for plastics. The action plan can be
Our recycling often results in a loss of material
built on the series of detailed recommendations
properties and in fact is down cycling. This is for
and further actions outlined in the report, which
example the case if different grades of aluminium
aim to improve plastics data collection; embed
are used in one product. Recycling them together
plastics in the government agenda; create and
will result in the lower grade material.
enable consistency in design, use and disposal;
innovate and amplify good ideas; and mitigate
3. We need a mindshift from trying to reduce waste
environmental and health impacts of plastic.
to recognising the resources locked up in our
materials and the opportunities they provide. Or
as Michael Braungart has put it “We don’t have a
waste problem, we have a materials in the wrong
place problem”.
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 11
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
What’s happening
here in NZ?
Click to see what activity is
occurring to enable a circular
economy in plastic packaging
for the following sectors:
Industry Bodies New Plastics
Economy
Governance
NEW ZEALAND
Innovators & Collaborators ACTIVITY MAP
Packaging Industry
Infrastructure
Note: This information has largely
been provided by attendees of
the Masterclass Series.
SBN is interested to hear of any
other relevant activity.
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 12
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
Industry Bodies
on labelling with community and industry
collaborations as well as standardising kerbside
WasteMINZ Plastics NZ collection across New Zealand.
Developed guidelines and resources on certification, Investigating polyproplene (PP) recycling across Contact information:
processing facilities and communication for New Zealand. nadine.wakim@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
compostable packaging.
Contact information: Contact information:
wasteminz.org.nz/projects/compostable- rachel@plastics.org.nz
packaging
Tauranga City Council
Australian Packaging Covenant Governance Working to augment kerbside recycling collection
system.
Organisation (APCO)
Contact information:
Development of Packaging Recyclability Evaluation Ministry for the Environment sustainability.waste@tauranga.govt.nz
Portal (PREP) tool and Australasian Recycling Label
(ARL). PREP tool provides a way On-going efforts under the Resource Efficiency
to assess whether an item of packaging could and Circular Economy Transition (RECET) work
be classified as ‘recyclable’ in Australia and programme. This programme includes work on
New Zealand through kerbside collection. The ARL the Waste Levy expansion, regulated product
The Office of the Prime Minister’s
is an evidence-based system that provides clear stewardship, national resource recovery and Basel Chief Science Advisor
consistent on-pack recycling information to inform Convention commitments. Another programme is
consumers of the correct disposal method. The Waste Minimisation Fund, funding projects that Released a report titled ‘Rethinking Plastics
promote or achieve waste minimisation. in Aotearoa New Zealand’ which analysed and
Contact information: collated the evidence-base around plastic use
packagingcovenant.org.au/who-we-are/ Contact information: and waste in New Zealand. This will guide a series
packaging-recycling-label-program mfe.govt.nz/waste of recommendations to mitigate the negative
impacts of plastic while retaining its many
benefits.
Packaging Forum Contact information:
Auckland Council rachel.chiaroni-clarke@auckland.ac.nz
Working on solutions for rigid plastic food and
beverage packaging, including product take back Reviewing and making improvements to Auckland’s
schemes. Materials Recovery Facility. Plans for 2024 include
implications of the container deposit scheme
Contact information: and investment into PP #5 separation. Working
adele@3r.co.nz
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 13
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
Innovators and Go Well Consulting,
Pitch Black & Supertrash
Contact information:
jarrod.puddy@tc.tc
donald.lee@tc.tc
Collaborators Developing a compostable packaging project
aimed at creating a compostable plastics
collection scheme. The scheme plans to create Tetra Pak
New Zealand drop–off locations for consumers
Sustainable Coastlines to return their certified compostable packaging Working with global technologies and local
for commercial composting. organisations to develop recyling for cartons in
Created the Litter Intelligence Tool which
New Zealand.
utilises citizen science to gather and analyse
Contact information:
what problematic materials and components are Contact information:
nick@gowellconsulting.co.nz
ending up in our oceans and on our beaches.
jack@supertrash.co.nz sally.cunnington@tetrapak.com
Contact information:
sustainablecoastlines.org
Sealed-Air
Scion Packaging Industry Offers a kerbside recyclable temperature paper
insulation (Tempguard) as an alternative to
Offers biodegradation certification by testing expanded polystyrene.
biodegradation properties of bioplastics according Custom-Pak
to European standards. Contact information:
Operating a polyethlene terephthalate (PET) michael.basagre@sealedair.com
Contact information: washplant, Christchurch. Supplying recycled PET
mariejoo.leguen@scionresearch.com (RPET) packaging.
Contact information:
The Better Packaging Co.
Glen Wilson 027 430 4337
Futurity Working on The Better Collective, which is a
network enabled by technology that enables
Developing bio-based materials to replace people without a compost to drop off
petrochemical derived materials using TC Transcontinental compostable packaging. In 2020 there will be a
renewable New Zealand wood. pilot of a reusable courier satchel under their
Working on trial projects recycling clean and SWOP project.
Contact information: uncontaminated soft plastics into packaging for
ella@futuritygroup.co.nz non-food contact. Contact information:
hello@betterpackaging.com
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 14
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
Marx Design Visy
Have created an open source briefing form Reprocesses polyethlene terephthalate (PET)
for brand owners to guide them through key in Sydney. Reprocessed PET converted into
considerations for end-of-life when designing their packaging in New Zealand.
packaging.
Contact information:
Contact information: nick.baker@visy.co.nz
janine@marxdesign.co.nz
PACT Group
Infrastructure New Auckland closed loop re-processing facility
for polyethlene terephthalate (PET) to be
established.
Contact information:
Flight Plastics Ltd pactgroup.com.au
Polyethlene terephthalate (PET) closed loop
recycling and recycled PET (RPET) packaging
supplier (Wellington).
Contact information:
keith@flight.co.nz
Comspec
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) wash plant
(Christchurch).
Contact information:
comspec.co.nz
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 15
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
Should I use compostable packaging?
Decision tree developed during Masterclass #2 - Innovate.
Can you Eliminate or Reuse?
Can packaging Can you move
be designed out, to reuse or other See if recyclable
eliminated or No models? Reusable, No packaging is an
reduced? resealable, option (next page).
refillable?
Yes Yes
Great, eliminate! Great, reuse!
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 16
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
Should I use compostable packaging?
Can you use recyclable packaging?
Can you make your product
Can you use materials Can you use materials from sustainable renewable
that are recycled in bio-based material See if compostable
that have high recycled
practice and at scale (rather than petrochemical) No packaging is an
content? e.g RPET or
(i.e have strong economic that can integrate into our option (next page).
RHDPE, glass.
end markets)? recycling system? e.g bioPET
and bioHDPE.
Yes to one or more of the above
Consider recyclable!
Key considerations for recyclable Coloured PET, coloured HDPE and PP #5 are recycled in traditional recycling streams and do not
largely bundled with low value mixed plastics. come from traditional petrochemical feedstocks.
packaging However, they may be separated into single higher
value recycling streams in the short-medium term There may be unintended consequences for
Currently clear PET #1 and natural HDPE #2 have future depending on location. shifting to materials e.g glass weighs more than
strong economic end markets for recycling and plastic and therefore requires more energy to
are widely collected. Plastics made from resins 3, 4, 6 & 7 are unlikely transport. Life cycle assessments are a useful tool
to be sorted in the near future and hold little to to analyse the environmental impact of a product
Using plastics with a percentage of recycled content no value for recycling currently. during its entire life cycle.
helps to create markets for recycled plastics and
improve overall circularity of the system. Bio based drop-in materials like bioPET, bioHDPE
are becoming more available – these can be
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclass #2 and #3 17
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
Should I use compostable packaging?
In-home
Is there a packaging Is your consumer likely to know Will your packaging contain
option in its final how to compost packaging any small hard-to-remove Certified home
correctly and are they likely to do items that contaminate compostable
form that is home
so at scale? Or is there a closed- both commercial and packaging may
composting certified Yes loop system available to your
Yes home composting?
Yes
still be an
that meets the customer to get the packaging to E.g. fruit stickers, tea and option, see key
functional properties an industrial composter and are coffee bags, asparagus ties, considerations.
your product needs? they likely to do this at scale? banana tape, vine ties.*
No No No
Consider Consider Compostable
alternative packaging. alternative packaging. may be a good option.
Key considerations for Compost needs approximately a 25-30:1 ratio of Is the final format of your packaging actually
carbon to nitrogen (C:N ratio) – packaging falls certified versus just certification of individual
home compostable packaging under carbon and too much packaging could layers?
throw home compost bins out of balance.
How many of your customers own or have Are you clearly communicating to the consumer
access to compost bins? Public drop-off points for pre-approved certified how to effectively compost the packaging,
compostable packaging are being discussed but including removal of any non-compostable
Of those how many manage their
are not available yet. elements e.g cutting packaging into small pieces
compost effectively?
prior to composting?
*WasteMINZ Compostable Packaging: wasteminz.org.nz/sector-groups/compost-nz/position-statement-from-new-zealand-composters-on-compostable-packaging/
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 18
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
Should I use compostable packaging?
Out-of-home
Is there a certified industrially Is your packaging entering a closed-loop
compostable packaging option that system (examples below) where it will be See key
Yes Yes
meets the functional properties your collected, decontaminated and delivered to considerations.
product needs? a pre-approved industrial composter?
No No
Consider alternatives. Consider alternatives.
Closed-loop systems 3. Venues or businesses (such as Vector Arena) final product. This is because compostable packaging
where only compostable packaging is used and provides little to no nutrient value for compost.*
Three closed-loop out of home situations decontamination is undertaken.
identified by WasteMINZ* as being potential If a product is certified industrially compostable,
options for compostable packaging: do not advertise it as being suitable for
home composting.*
1. Commercial food waste collections where cafés
Key considerations for industrial
and restaurants only use compostable serviceware compostable packaging Ensure that the compostable packaging is
chosen from an approved list of vendors, do not sorted, and any non-compostable contaminants
use any plastic serviceware and where the service are removed before being transported to the
provider is providing a sorting service. There are limited industrial composters nationally composting facility.*
that accept packaging. Check out who can here.
2. Events where manual separation and thorough
decontamination of waste takes place. Composters do not need compostable packaging to
make quality compost, as it doesn’t add value to the
*WasteMINZ Compostable Packaging: wasteminz.org.nz/sector-groups/compost-nz/position-statement-from-new-zealand-composters-on-compostable-packaging/
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 19
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
Should I use compostable packaging?
Key considerations for both
home and industrial composting
Referencing the work WasteMINZ is leading on In non-closed loop systems it is difficult to tell in the diversion of food waste from landfill should
compostable packaging plus contribution from the difference between compostable plastic be made compostable, e.g. compostable food
masterclass attendees: packaging and traditional plastic packaging. When waste caddy liners.*
compostable packaging enters the recycling
When using compostable packaging ensure that stream it has the potential to contaminate and Ideally, compostable packaging should not be
packaging meets an international standard for vice versa. bright colours, e.g. pink or blue, as this risks the
industrial or home compostability as appropriate.* marketability of compost products, if flecks of
Compostable packaging leaked into the those colours show up in compost.*
Getting certification for compostable packaging in environment is harmful – litter is litter and will
its final format requires significant investment. have the same impact if ingested by wildlife. We Certified compostable packaging is made from
need to move to closed-loop systems.* a renewable source rather than traditional
Inks, adhesives and other additions to petrochemical feedstocks.
compostable packaging need to be organic and New Zealand councils have agreed that until
make upWhat do we know now?
Packaging design for recyclability
Easy to recycle Possible to recycle Difficult to recycle
Commonly collected by council in some places Not often recycled
recycling schemes
Sometimes recycled
Polyethylene High density Low density Polyvinyl
1 2 4 5 3 6
terephthalate polyethylene polyethylene Polypropylene chloride Polystyrene
PET HDPE LDPE PP PVC PS
Notes: Notes:
7
Other
Clear PET and Natural HDPE have Plastics made of 4 & 5 are likely to end up OTHER
highest recycling value in a ‘mixed plastics’ recycling stream with
low value
Notes:
Notes: Multi-layer materials will essentially
not be recycled
Most labels are removed and commonly not recycled in kerbside collections
3, 6, & 7 are at risk of contaminating
Consider using recycled feedstock rather than virgin recycling streams
We need consistent labelling of materials using resin codes (1, 2, 3 etc rather than PET, HDPE etc)
*Adapted from Royal Society Te Apārangi: royalsociety.org.nz
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 21
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat do we know now?
Packaging designs to avoid for recyclability
Although some packaging formats may in theory Aluminium/metal closures on plastic bottles Multimaterials in general
be recyclable this is not always the case in
practice. This can be due to the inefficiency Avoid (6) Polystyrene (PS) and Expanded
Black plastic
and difficulty of processing and separating the polystyrene (EPS)
materials it is composed of.
Coloured opaque PET bottles
Building on the work by Royal Society Te Aparangi In-mould labelling especially with mixed
and WrapUK, our masterclass recycling experts materials e.g HDPE label on PET. In mould
have helped up us to identify certain packaging Compostable, biodegradable and labelling degrades the material when it is
materials, formats and designs to avoid to ensure oxy-degradable plastics recycled as the label cannot be removed and
we have a radically improved recycling system. therefore can discolour the resin. When in-
Sleeves with >60% cover mould labels are made of a different type of
plastic it contaminates the recycled product
*Adapted from WrapUK: wrap.org.uk Multi-layer laminates and PE sealing layers
Anything adhered too strongly ( e.g soaker
pads on meat trays) and tough to remove
Non-removable film lids often results in materials being downgraded or
landfilled
PVC sleeves and components
Silicone valves used with PET bottles
Coloured opaque HDPE materials
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 22
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat needs to happen and when? Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging 23 that works in New Zealand by 2025
What needs to happen and when?
Summary of table boards and conversations
During masterclass sessions #1 - Circulate
participants worked through key
questions around what could enable a How can the system support
transition to 100% reusable, recyclable businesses to improve the recyclability
or compostable packaging by 2025. of their packaging?
The following is a summary of themes The cohort identified the following needs from
the plastic packaging system (Packaging Industry,
and outputs: Governance & Infrastructure and Design &
Innovation) to enable improved recycling towards
a circular economy for packaging:
Packaging industry:
- Clear decision making tools and guidance
to enable more informed packaging decisions
- A source of validation of packaging claims
- Agreement on, and widespread adoption of,
on-pack labelling for recycling and associated
consumer education
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 24
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat needs to happen and when?
- Collaboration to speed and scale innovation Design & innovation:
required for alternatives to difficult-to-recycle - Packaging design guidelines and resources
packaging e.g. multi-layered pouches to enable improved recycling rates
Infrastructure & governance: - Collaborative innovation of new solutions
to drive speed and scale of adoption (rather
- As above, we need cross sector collaboration than first to market proprietary approach)
to speed and scale the innovation required for
alternatives to difficult-to-recycle packaging - Increase scale and range of plastics
recycling options
- Mandatory product stewardship schemes
- A consumer education campaign
- Funding recycling facilities in New Zealand
- Consistent kerbside collections across
the country
- A map of facilities and actions to meet the 2025
packaging commitments
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 25
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat needs to happen and when?
#2 - Innovate
businesses.
How can the system support business
- Greater understanding of the effects of a
innovation? waste levy increase.
The cohort identified the following needs from - Guidelines for use of Australian Recycling
the plastic packaging system (Governance, Logo (ARL) and Packaging Recyclability
Infrastructure, Packaging Industry and Design Evaluation Portal (PREP) tool. There is growing
& Innovation) to enable innovation towards a consensus that New Zealand companies
circular economy for packaging: should adopt this.
Governance - Clear decision making tools and guidance to
enable more informed packaging decisions.
- Clear guidelines on when to use compostable
packaging and New Zealand specific - Collaboration across the sector to speed and
standards on labelling/certification for use scale innovation required for alternatives to
of compostable packaging. difficult-to-recycle packaging.
- Public/Consumer education campaigns on - Regulations to phase out problematic materials
how to recycle/compost to support positive (both imported and local).
end-of-life outcomes. - Enabling greater accessibility for certification
- Insights into how product stewardship of compostable packaging.
and container deposit scheme will impact - A source of validation of packaging claims.
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclass #2 and #3 26
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat needs to happen and when?
Infrastructure (Recycling & Composting): Packaging Industry:
- National infrastructure with the ability - Increase focus on end-of-life impacts as
to process a wider range of materials e.g well as functional properties.
coloured materials, small format packaging,
- Agreement on, and widespread adoption of,
polypropylene (#5) and compostable
on-pack labelling for recycling/compostables
packaging. Possible solutions discussed were:
and associated consumer education.
improved kerbside collection with greater
segregation (e.g soft plastics and organics bins), - New and broader packaging options that
chemical recycling and product stewardship/ meet 2025 commitments of 100% reusable,
container deposit scheme. recyclable or compostable.
- Consistency across the national network
Design & Innovation:
to avoid public confusion and streamline
consumer communications. - Commercialisation of new technology/
materials providing the same functional
- Clarity on composting infrastructure at a
properties as traditional packaging with
national level with regards to collections,
viable closed-loop end-of-life processing.
destination/processing and consumer
education.
- Improved kerbside collection segregation.
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 27
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat needs to happen and when?
#3 - Eliminate - Waste levy increases incentivising alternatives
to landfill and encouraging new models of
How can the system support business reuse. Funding from a waste levy increase
transition to reuse? could be invested through the Waste
Management Fund and could be used to
Representatives from the plastic packaging support new reuse models and innovation in
system (Governance & Infrastructure, Packaging reuse.
Industry & Innovators, and Consultants) were
- The introduction of product stewardship
asked how they might assist in the transition
regulations. This is an opportunity for
of packaged goods suppliers adopting reuse
businesses to engage with circular models.
models instead of using problematic/single-use
Reuse models should be encouraged under the
packaging.
scheme.
Governance & Infrastructure - Government acting to ban problematic
materials will also create opportunity to
Governance and infrastructure identified they influence those looking for alternate packaging
could support transition to reuse models by: options. This opportunity can be used to
- Leading by example. Government agencies encourage businesses to move towards reuse
can ensure procurement processes stimulate models.
markets for reuse systems (e.g. America’s - Support educating businesses and public
Cup, APEC, local events etc) as well as on reuse systems including health and
government offices. safety aspects.
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 28
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat needs to happen and when?
Packaging industry Consultants
The packaging industry (suppliers and industry The group of consultants (packaging, sustainability
bodies) identified they could assist packaged and life cycle consultants) identified they could
goods suppliers transition to reuse by: assist businesses in a transition to reuse by:
- Encouraging collaboration by connecting clients - Within new product development ensure circular
to their supply chain and the right people. economy processes are adopted from the start,
including reuse models.
- Providing whole-of-life scenario analysis for
customers to better understand impacts of - Staying up to date and learning from cultures
packaging across life cycles. with limited space/high populations/low
resources to help adopt international best
- Bringing international examples, best practice
practice in reuse.
models and local case studies forward to
encourage businesses to reuse. - Educate clients on the impacts of product
stewardship being mandated and encourage
- Facilitating business to business (B2B) solutions
circular solutions.
to single use.
- Encouraging and facilitating impact analysis of
reuse pilot projects.
- Integrating reuse into packaging suppliers’ (and
the wider industry’s) strategies.
- Assist in developing reuse policies
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 29
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat needs to happen and when?
Pathway to 2025
Recycling with radically improved economics and
transitioning to reuse models and innovation is
required to eliminate the use of problematic or
unnecessary packaging by 2025.
Outcomes & Activities Outcomes & Activities Outcomes & Activities
BY END
OF 2025
BY END
OF 2022
BY END
OF 2020
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 30
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat needs to happen and when?
By end of 2020
guidance are reducing unnecessary/problematic New and additional end markets for recycled
Outcomes packaging materials developed – e.g. options for
polypropelene (PP)
Recognition the current linear system Identification of a material choice hierarchy
must change and collaboration is needed Good information on end of life on all packaging
Increased use of clear PET, Natural HDPE and
Business understands options for more circular materials with recycled content Co-create strategy for New Zealand to be a low
solutions – eliminate, innovate, circulate carbon circular economy
Investment needs identified for infrastructure
More circular packaging on shelves and new materials Collaborate on public awareness campaigns on
increased circularity
Emerging capacity for on-shore polypropylene New categories ripe for reuse identified
(PP) processing Prioritisation of recommendations from the Office
of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor’s
Growing momentum for more reuse solutions
Rethinking Plastics in Aoteoroa New Zealand
Customers seek circular packaging solutions & project (2019)
recycled content
Activities Tools to help smaller businesses meet New
Range of regulation options identified (and Plastics Economy (NPEC) Global Commitments
international comparisons made) rolled out – e.g. audit templates, guidance fact
Sign up to the ‘New Plastics Economy
Global Commitment’ sheet for packaging design, preferred plastic
Increased on-shore plastic processing types, label size, etc
of polyethlene terephthalate (PET) & high-density
polyethylene (HDPE) Champion use of recyclable, in practice,
packaging and recycled content Clearing house for information on circular
packaging design, contacts, technical,
Increased awareness of what constitutes considerations to prevent unintended
problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging Supermarkets phase out low value plastics consequences, carbon calculators, Life Cycle
Assessments, case studies
Initial evidence that policy changes and design New recycling facilities open
Data collection system established for the waste
data framework
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 31
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat needs to happen and when?
Brands that use GS1 (barcode information) to Waste levy expands Collaborative innovation initiatives established
include packaging information for their product
providing more accurate data on plastic packaging Landfill waste levy consultation (pending cabinet Launch of open source innovation challenges to
volumes decision) signals increase in waste disposal costs stimulate solutions
New re-processing/recycling facilities for high Funding streams for strategic circularity continue: Government developing changes to procurement
value plastics Provincial Growth Fund (until 2020) and Waste policies and importation regulations to eliminate
Minimisation Fund (ongoing) problematic or unnecessary packaging and
Labelling standards agreed – Australasian incentivise replacement
Recycling Label (ARL), Packaging Recyclability Resource recovery infrastructure and systems
Evaluation Tool (PREP), includes degradable, designed and invested in Public end of life awareness campaigns creating
compostable/other
consumer demand for materials with practical
Product stewardship schemes legislated end-of-life solutions
Procurement used to increase circularity
Develop interventions to bridge cost gap between Increased awareness and use of easily recycled
Invest in end markets for recycled materials virgin and recycled content materials e.g Clear PET and Natural HDPE
Promote relevant circular packaging innovations Joined up conversations across government Local bio-based ‘drop-in’ materials pioneered
agencies for consistent and complementary and tested
Wider actions to prevent plastic escaping into approaches
the environment e.g. littering education and Communication of ideal use cases for
compliance, storm water filtration, beach and Lead companies begin internal audits to identify compostable packaging
ocean clean-ups, management of old landfills problematic or unnecessary packaging, sharing
their results nationally and internationally Internal packaging audits identify opportunities
Basel Convention consultation on waste exports ripe for reuse
comes into legislation Initial development and/or adoption and
distribution of best practice to eliminate High profile reuse examples launched
Co-design of mandatory product stewardship for problematic and/or unnecessary packaging at e.g. coffee cup reuse systems, “bring your own
plastic packaging and start of implementation design stage container” offerings
Identification of problematic materials requiring Initial potential solutions selected for trials/pilots
regulatory control
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 32
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat needs to happen and when?
By end of 2022
Keep ahead of international best practice (import
design guidance are dramatically reducing
Outcomes problematic/ unnecessary packaging
& export)
Investment in next level infrastructure
Aotearoa manages all plastic waste onshore Product stewardship in place for packaging for
both NZ made and imports
Recycling label standard adopted as mandatory
Landfill price increased
Conversion to bio based ‘drop-in’ materials has
started Kerbside collection standardised nationally
Use of low value (contaminated) mixed plastics
declines rapidly
Customer uptake of reuse model builds across Regulatory control of problematic plastic types
sectors (import & export)
Simplification of plastic materials and movement
towards bio-based polyethlene terephthalate
(PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) Mandatory product stewardship for plastic
packaging fully implemented
Standardised end of life labelling on all plastics Activities
NZ low carbon circular strategy review connected
Information and education through public to infrastructure strategy
Good packaging data collected and made open- awareness campaigns on product stewardship
source schemes
Invest in end markets for recycled materials
Basel Convention leads to end of low value Review and update plastic packaging design
packaging/plastics guidance Investment in next level infrastructure for closing
the loop
Product bans led by consumers, enforced by New Zealand Plastics Pact - a pack of NZ tools
government, leading to new solutions and reporting on circular progress Further potential solutions selected for
trials/pilots
Widespread awareness of what constitutes Procurement used to stimulate circular solutions
problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging Initial trials/pilots from collaborative
innovation initiatives
Increasing evidence that policy changes and
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 33
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateWhat needs to happen and when?
By end of 2025
Outcomes Activities
Government establishes new procurement
policies and importation regulations to eliminate Further solutions and alternative products
Plastic packaging compatible with a circular
problematic and/or unnecessary packaging in and processes established and mainstreamed
economy becomes mainstream
New Zealand and incentivise replacement
Companies meet their commitments to ensure Importation controls on problematic and/
Regulations put in place for recycled local or unnecessary packaging to New Zealand
100% of their plastic packaging is reusable,
content in packaging maintained and regularly updated
recyclable, or compostable in practice
Better understanding of barriers and opportunities Businesses adopt reuse as a performance
Reuse becomes increasingly part of mainstream
for compostable plastics and how they fit into a indicator
culture and reuse behaviour is commonplace
centralised system
Relevant single use packaging formats have
The user experience for reuse continues to
moved to reusable models
improve through better design
Communication campaigns to drive awareness
of reuse
Creating a circular economy for plastic packaging Outputs from Masterclasses 34
that works in New Zealand by 2025 - Circulate, Innovate, EliminateYou can also read
