100 signatures reached
To: The NZ Government
Put a levy on suppliers to be responsible for packaging and disposal
Suppliers need to pay a levy on the type of packaging used for their products and the disposal of the product at the end of its life.
The levy would be based on whether the packaging and product can be reused, composted, recycled or the mass if destined for landfill.
The levy would be based on whether the packaging and product can be reused, composted, recycled or the mass if destined for landfill.
Why is this important?
Under the current system, suppliers are not responsible for any disposal costs. Consumers, councils and the environment end up paying for the disposal. The responsibility needs to be on the companies who make the initial choice.
With a levy on producers based on the effect of the packaging on the environment there would be more incentive to consider using packaging with less environmental impact. There would also be the incentive to make products repairable, upgradable or that just last longer.
Suppliers and importers should be taking more responsibility their role under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008.[1] A monetary incentive would encourage producers and importers to take responsibility.
The producer actually has a major role in product stewardship as they decide on the final composition of the product and packaging. This will determine disposal methods and the longevity of the product. Consumers who buy products are generally not aware of the act and should not need to care.
The product with the least cost to the earth in the future should be the cheapest to buy now.
The revenue from a levy collected could be used to fund recycling facilities and ensure we don't have problems faced in Australia.[2]
There would also be incentive for companies to ensure research and development continued for more products. For example companies are currently providing degradable, biodegradable, compostable plastic bags as an alternative to plastic bags but there is no facility to accept them so they have to go to landfill. Introducing a levy would ensure there is an incentive to follow through and ensure there is a disposal method.
Other countries are looking at solutions and have stated the need for a circular economy.[3] We can do it in New Zealand too.
1 - http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2008/0089/latest/DLM1154569.html
2 - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-07/recycling-companies-forced-to-stockpile-glass-industry-crisis/8778088
3 - https://www.zerowasteeurope.eu/2017/07/new-study-presents-plan-for-circular-economy-using-existing-economic-measures/
With a levy on producers based on the effect of the packaging on the environment there would be more incentive to consider using packaging with less environmental impact. There would also be the incentive to make products repairable, upgradable or that just last longer.
Suppliers and importers should be taking more responsibility their role under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008.[1] A monetary incentive would encourage producers and importers to take responsibility.
The producer actually has a major role in product stewardship as they decide on the final composition of the product and packaging. This will determine disposal methods and the longevity of the product. Consumers who buy products are generally not aware of the act and should not need to care.
The product with the least cost to the earth in the future should be the cheapest to buy now.
The revenue from a levy collected could be used to fund recycling facilities and ensure we don't have problems faced in Australia.[2]
There would also be incentive for companies to ensure research and development continued for more products. For example companies are currently providing degradable, biodegradable, compostable plastic bags as an alternative to plastic bags but there is no facility to accept them so they have to go to landfill. Introducing a levy would ensure there is an incentive to follow through and ensure there is a disposal method.
Other countries are looking at solutions and have stated the need for a circular economy.[3] We can do it in New Zealand too.
1 - http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2008/0089/latest/DLM1154569.html
2 - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-07/recycling-companies-forced-to-stockpile-glass-industry-crisis/8778088
3 - https://www.zerowasteeurope.eu/2017/07/new-study-presents-plan-for-circular-economy-using-existing-economic-measures/