is this how we solve nz\'s growing plastic problem?

New Zealand\'s growing plastic problems should be solved by exchanging our \"take, make, waste\" approach with a method where nothing is thrown away.
This is the biggest gain.
Leave the first one
The plastic packaging system of the whole country has been studied.
It further emphasizes that even a fundamental improvement of our current recycling system will not solve all of our problems.
Supported by key industry players such as Coca-Cola Amatil and Countdown, sustainable business network research estimates that the material value of plastic packaging has been economically lost.
Instead of turning into something useful, it is being landfill, burned, or in our oceans, cities, and rural areas.
The lack of recycling facilities in New Zealand means that most of the plastic collected from our kerbs is shipped overseas-about $13.
Gold worth 1 million was exported last year.
Instead, the study calls for a \"circular economy\" approach in which the life cycle of the material is maximized, and at the end of life, all of this is reused, so nothing was wasted.
\"The use of plastic packaging has surged over the past 60 years because it is relatively cheap, lightweight and durable,\" said research director James Griffin . \".
\"Unfortunately, the system that manages it correctly is not keeping up with the pace.
This has led to a global waste and pollution crisis, including New Zealand.
\"Recently, when China effectively closed the door to world waste, the pressure in our system was highlighted.
Previously, New Zealand shipped only 15 million kilograms of waste plastic to Chinese processing plants every year.
But the health of the country
The 24 foreign waste bans that began this year forced recyclers to look elsewhere for buyers --
It is mainly Southeast Asia, because inventory is increasing all over the country.
This study proposes a series of measures to significantly improve the recovery rate, such as reducing the type and form of plastic used, and more
Coastal treatment facilities, consistent collection across the country, increased demand for recycled materials, and container storage plans.
Individual businesses need to audit the type and quantity of plastic packaging they use, including identifying the type of plastic being used, especially those that are singleuse products.
They also need to set bold goals, design problematic packaging and greatly improve recycling while supporting vendors who use high levels of recycled content.
The business sector also needs to work together to expand the market for recycled materials and develop product management plans for hard plastics.
At the same time, the government needs to develop and implement a comprehensive plastic packaging strategy and set bold and ambitious goals.
Griffin warned that although these measures provide an opportunity to improve the situation, recycling alone does not solve problems related to plastic packaging.
\"There needs to be a broader approach, for example, to identify and eliminate problematic and unnecessary plastic packaging from our supply chain,\" he said . \".
\"Reuse models need to be adopted and extended as a single-use plastics.
Eugenie Sage, Assistant Secretary of Environment, said that some of the proposed work is already in progress.
\"Manufacturers, retailers, resource recovery departments, parliaments and consumers all have a key role to play and need leadership from the government,\" said Sage . \".
\"We need manufacturers to do more and faster, and manufacturers, retailers and consumers are driving change in the supply chain.
Earlier this year, Sage announced a new work plan, including improving national data, increasing strategic investment and innovation to support the processing of domestic recycled materials, and extend the waste treatment tax to all landfill sites.
This tax is mainly applied to landfill sites that accept domestic waste and extend it to all landfill sites, which will help reduce waste in the commercial and industrial sectors, she said.
The Ministry of Environment is developing a circular economy strategy to identify sectors that target investment, and the Sage also directs officials to prioritize mandatory product management plans for tires and lithium batteries, followed by other plans.
\"The government needs to make it easy for consumers to do the right thing.
It depends on all of us-individuals, corporate councils, community organizations, and governments . \"
\"Consumers can make changes and encourage them by making good choices.
\"Knowing the public\'s strong support for phasing out disposable plastic bags helps the government\'s decision.