NZ: one of the highest paperboard recycling rates

30th August 2007

NEWS RELEASE

New Zealand continues to have one of the highest paperboard recycling rates in the world

The New Zealand paper sector continues to secure its place as having one of the highest paperboard recovery rates in the world. In 2006 a record 76% paperboard consumed in New Zealand was being recovered and recycled into new paper products.

Jack Hayward, President of the New Zealand Paperboard Packaging Association is delighted to announce an increase of almost 50,000 tonnes paperboard recovered compared to 2005:

“To put it in perspective our recovery rate of just over 256,000 tonnes per year is the equivalent of saving around 640,000 barrels of oil. We are recycling this either at paper mills here in New Zealand or the recovered material is baled and traded overseas.”

“This record result is a credit to the combined efforts of NZPPA member companies, the people who recycle, local authorities and recycling operators in delivering a result that once again exceeds the 70% target set for paperboard recovery under the NZ Packaging Accord.”

The calculation of consumption and recovery statistics was this year outsourced to independent consultancy Infometrics Ltd who will continue to work with the sector to further improve the robustness of the data.

The NZPPA says that this year’s increase can be attributed to a number of factors: an increased focus by local authorities on recycling and collection of paper; the favourable commodity price for paper overseas; the fruition of environmental sustainability programmes (conducted by NZPPA with assistance from the Ministry for the Environment); and an overall increase in general public awareness of environmental issues resulting in a greater effort to recycle.

ENDS

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