NZPPI has established a group to accelerate our industry work on plastic waste.
The Plastics Advisory Committee held its first meeting on 19th May and focussed on understanding the current state of plastics in our supply chain and the changes needed for our industry to meet waste regulations from 2027. The group's key focus is on plastic pots, as these make up the bulk of plastic waste in our industry.
The Committee is made up of participants from across the plants supply chain, including plastics manufacturers, importers, plant producers and retailers. Participating in the group are Amber Maisey (IP Plastics), Vince Wylaars (Zealandia Horticulture Ltd), Scott Bromwich and Fiona Ryan (Daltons), Mary Duncan (Vibrant Earth), Julie Roberts (Mitre 10), Nikki Withington (Square One) and Matthew Dolan (NZPPI).
The Committee has come together as our industry comes under pressure to respond to public and industry concerns about plastics in our supply chain. New regulations are also in place that will require plastic items, like plant pots, to be managed in a way that prevents them going to waste.
To meet these new rules, our industry needs systems that avoid plastic plant pots being single use and ending up in landfill. This includes implementing a Product Stewardship programme whereby plastics are accounted for throughout the supply chain and subject to systems that enable reducing, reusing, recycling, etc wherever possible. These systems will need to be approved by the government.
You will hear from the Committee as it makes progress, including updates and reports. You may also receive requests for information and data, as well as your views and opinions. We encourage you to support this Committee. With an estimated 350 million plants grown in plastic containers each year, this is a significant adaptive challenge for our industry.