PA C K A G I N G PLASTIC PACKAGING ON ITS WAY TO TRANSFORMATION Shoppers in Auckland and the Waikato have dropped off more than 25 tonnes of soft plastic packaging that is now on its way to Melbourne to be turned into bollards, traffic speed bumps, decking and tracking, furniture and a whole range of durable and weather-resistant plastic products for construction, conservation, commercial and community groups. The Packaging Forum says the packaging – collected from 70 supermarkets and stores in Auckland and 23 in Hamilton and the Waikato – is equivalent to around 4.5 million units of soft plastic bags, wrappers and pouches. The Forum has run trials in Auckland to supply plastic pellets to bin manufacturer Pioneer, which will supply Canterbury stores with recycling bins including a 10% recycled soft plastic component. Project manager Lyn Mayes says since Christmas weekly collections have trebled to an average of three large bin liners of soft plastic each week from individual stores. “A large percentage of collected packaging is shopping bags, fruit and vegetable bags, and 31% is grocery packaging…primarily bread bags, toilet roll packaging and the soft plastic wrap around drinks packs,” Mayes says. “There is six percent contamination mainly from other plastic items such as bottles or coffee cups, which we are working to reduce through better signage and education.” Earlier this month, 50 stores in Canterbury joined the Love NZ programme, with expansion planned for Greater Wellington in October. All Countdown supermarkets across Auckland will have new recycling bins from July, doubling the drop-off locations. The Packaging Forum promotes the Love NZ brand under license from the Ministry for Environment. (www. recycling.kiwi.nz/soft-plastics) and enjoys funding from companies such as Cottonsoft, Goodman Fielder, Kelloggs, Mars, Mother Earth, Nestle, Pams, Pure Delish, Sunrice, Wrigley and Amcor. ...is equivalent to around 4.5 million units of soft plastic bags, wrappers and pouches. Novacart Baking Moulds Confoil offers an extensive range of the exquisite Italian-made Novacart decorated paper-baking moulds to the baking industry. Our Novacart moulds can be used in either the microwave or oven and they hold their shape during the cooking process. Their unique perforated bases eliminate excess moisture, allowing you to bake and serve in the mould and save time and money on cleaning up tins. Freephone: 0800 107 620 | Email: info@confoil.co.nz www.confoil.co.nz 28 JUNE 2016 Visit us at stand J44 FT089 CON_FoodTech_210x67_2016_FineFoods.indd 1 30/05/16 8:25 PM
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