2nd April 2007

NEWS RELEASE

Paper Forum says Environment Minister is right to be concerned about Auckland’s recycling proposals

The Paper industry confirms that Environment Minister David Benson-Pope’s concerns that Auckland and Manukau’s proposed move to co-mingled wheelie bin collections will likely threaten New Zealand’s position as one of the world leaders in paperboard recycling.

The Paper Forum supports the findings of a report on recycling released recently by the glass sector which concludes that:-

“Councils should proceed with considerable caution before introducing a co-mingled collection system…despite international shifts towards greater use of co-mingling, the experience to date does not demonstrate that it is the optimal choice.”

Charles Miller, Chair of the Paper Forum says that industry has been keen to talk to local councils about the impact which their proposals will have on paper recycling and is encouraged that the Minister will address these issues during his planned meetings:

“We already recycle 72% of paperboard in this country and householders across the country can put their paper out at kerbside knowing we will reuse it. In Auckland we do this at no cost to councils. This proposal will cost ratepayers for paper recycling, a service currently provided free. “

“The Minister is absolutely right to ask councils to justify this additional expense to ratepayers because paper is collected locally and recycled into paperboard at an Auckland paper mill as well as at Kinleith. Should co-mingling degrade the quality of the collected material as predicted this proposal will lead to increased volume of paper being sent to landfill, against the objectives of the Governments National Waste policy.

This isn’t just a waste issue but also has major implications for Auckland’s ability to manage its energy use and Greenhouse Gas emissions. Further any paper collected surplus to local requirements can currently be commercially exported for re-use in other countries, an option which may not be available for co-mingled product, meaning even greater potential to boost landfill.

“Nowhere in the world does a materials recovery facility exist that is capable of delivering the vast proportion of paper to the quality required for paper making if glass is included in the process. We know that the councils would like to bring the best technology in the world to Auckland but the required technology is not proven and, even if it were, the likely cost will be prohibitive. It will require a huge leap of faith by Auckland’s rate payers to spend $27 million on an untested system.”

“And if ultimately they decide to modify the level of technology, any compromise may mean we contaminate paper recycling, in which we are currently amongst the world leaders. At the end of the day householders who go to the trouble of recycling, expect that materials will be used especially when there is a paper recycling mill on our doorstep.”

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