Nestlé New Zealand today reaffirmed its commitment to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025 by pledging its support for the New Zealand Plastic Packaging Declaration.
The declaration has been signed by a range of companies in New Zealand, demonstrating strong support on the UN’s World Environment Day, with the 2018 theme of ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’.
Nestlé New Zealand CEO Christian Abboud said, “Plastic waste is one of the biggest sustainability issues the world is facing today – tackling it requires a collective approach.
“We congratulate the Ministry for Environment on introducing the declaration and applaud fellow companies that have made similar commitments on plastic packaging. We join the Ministry in encouraging other companies to look at their plastic packaging and make similar commitments,” Mr Abboud said.
By signing the declaration, Nestlé has reaffirmed that:
• It recognises New Zealand has an interest in moving towards a more circular economy and reducing the use of virgin plastic packaging;
• It will work toward using 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025 or earlier;
• It will report on its progress to implement this commitment as part of global sustainability reporting, and provide annual updates to the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment.
Mr Abboud continued, “Preventing packaging material ending up as waste, including in seas, oceans and waterways is one of the key reasons behind Nestlé’s pledge. We are committed to finding improved solutions to reduce, re-use and recycle.”
In New Zealand, Nestlé is implementing new labelling to help consumers recycle their packaging correctly, with new labels coming onto Allen’s lollies this year.
“We are now adopting the Australasian Recycling Label, which has been designed to help consumers to correctly recycle by outlining what product packaging is made from.
“We will continue to work with value chain partners and industry associations to explore different packaging solutions to reduce plastic usage, facilitate recycling and develop new approaches to eliminate plastic waste.”
For more information on the New Zealand Plastic Packaging Declaration click here.