Glass Packaging Forum: First Packaging Scheme to get Product Stewardship accreditation

In May 2010, Environmental Minister Hon. Dr Nick Smith presented the Glass Packaging Forum with voluntary Product Stewardship accreditation. They are the first packaging scheme to get the accreditation in New Zealand under the Waste Minimisation Act of 2008. The Glass Packaging forum is made up of over 100 companies that produce, import, fill, or sell glass in New Zealand. They have worked together to develop a voluntary scheme for reducing the amount of glass packaging making its way to landfills. The scheme collects levies from companies that import, manufacture, fill, or sell glass containers or products in glass containers. These levies are used to fund projects, research, infrastructure, and education program to increase the recycling and re-use of glass into either new glass containers or for alternative uses. The scheme currently covers 80% of glass on the market in New Zealand-mostly for food and beverage.

(http://glassforum.org.nz/product_stewardship.html)