As part of a broader plan to reduce the increasing amount of rubbish ending up in New Zealand’s landfills, the government is investing NZ$124($116m) to fund a new recycling infrastructure and expand the national waste levy scheme.
Supermarkets trial plastic wrap-free fresh produce
Several New Zealand Countdown supermarkets are removing plastic produce bags and ‘unwrapping’ fresh produce in a 10-week trial to see if it is a viable long-term solution to plastic reduction.
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Report: New Zealanders send 39 per cent of household plastic containers to landfill
A newly released report on New Zealand’s plastic rubbish and recycling practices is a “timely wake-up call” for a nation that needs to improve its processes, New Zealand’s Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage explained.
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New Zealand government to phase out certain single-use packaging
The New Zealand government has announced it will phase out single-use packaging and beverage containers made from PVC and polystyrene, among other items.
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NZ government increases support to councils and businesses for waste management
The New Zealand government has released proposals to increase funding support for councils, community organisations and businesses for waste management and resource recovery projects.
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New Zealand is preparing to introduce a national container return scheme
A container return scheme (CRS) will soon be introduced in New Zealand, with Associate Minister for the Environment, Eugenie Sage, announcing that work is underway to create a fit-for-purpose scheme.
New Zealand government and councils collaborate to address landfill issues
The New Zealand government and 16 regional councils are leading a project that will identify the risks associated with current and closed landfills in the country.
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Nappies and cigarette butts dampen NZ’s green image, litter audit reveals
A Keep New Zealand Beautiful National Litter Audit, for 2019, estimates that more than 3.6 billion pieces of plastic are being littered in New Zealand.
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NZ government proposes regulated product stewardship schemes
The New Zealand government has proposed regulated product stewardship schemes, rather than voluntary programs, to reduce plastic waste and to divert waste from landfill.
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New Zealand steps closer to first 100 per cent recycled plastic packaging plant
New Zealand’s Associate Environment Minister, Eugenie Sage, has announced the government is investing in a new plant to create New Zealand’s first 100 per cent recycled plastic food packaging range as part of the wider plan to tackle the plastic pollution challenge.
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