Industry Projects

Plastics New Zealand gets involved with the community, industry and government, helping to promote the 'think global, act local' sustainability message through practical initiatives.

Please contact Plastics New Zealand (info@plastics.org.nz), if you are interested in setting up any environmental projects in the plastics industry. Plastics New Zealand has experience in accessing private sector and government funding for environmental projects.


Current Projects

  • Boatie Bags - every year Plastics New Zealand provides rubbish bags to the yacht and boat clubs of New Zealand. Our message to boaties is to bring it back and get it sorted! Boatie Bags launched - Carolyn Cox, Paul Collins (Chairman)
  • Degradable Plastics Working Group – a working group is being facilitated by Plastics New Zealand to work through issues around the growing use of degradable plastics. Plastics New Zealand has developed a guideline for the use of degradable plastics in New Zealand. Further information can be found here.
  • Environmental Best Practice Programme – since 2004, Plastics New Zealand has been working with member companies to encourage environmental best practice. So far more than 80 companies have participated in the Best Practice Programme, working on projects ranging from Design for the Environment through to energy efficiency in manufacturing. Currently there is a strong focus on energy efficiency across the industry. Further information can be found in the “Manufacturing Efficiency” section.

 

Past Projects

  • Plastics New Zealand is working with the Environmental Risk Management Authority of New Zealand to establish non-hazardous materials used by the industry and to classify those that are hazardous. See the latest news on this project.
  • Sustainability Initiative - a five year agenda for action launched in 2003 to minimise the effect of the industry and its products on the environment. Read the pdf document to get the details. More than 70 companies signed a commitment to the Initiative
  • Plastic Design for the Environment Guidelines. This is a first-in-the-world guide to designing plastic products with the environment in mind.
  • Iconic Kiwi Plastic Products - Improving Their Environmental Footprint. This project profiled examples of improvements in the environmental footprint of some of New Zealand’s most iconic plastic products. - Carolyn Cox, Paul Collins (Chairman)