3R provide practical and innovative advice and service solutions for industry and government to help meet growing demand for more sustainable business practices.
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Product Stewardship has been described as the most significant development in environmental regulation in recent years, beyond even climate change and emissions trading. It is significant because of its potential impact on businesses and according to the latest survey commissioned by the Product Stewardship Foundation (PSF) and the NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development (NZBCSD) it has strong support from the NZ public.
The survey identified the 12 products or categories that are commonly subject to product stewardship internationally. People were asked to indicate their priority for those products being in a stewardship programme in New Zealand. They were also asked to nominate other products which were high priority for them personally. All 12 had majority (over 60%) public support for stewardship, some more strongly than others.
The top 6 were agrichemicals, batteries, oil, tyres, computers and end of life vehicles. The remaining 6 were TVs, Paint, Packaging, Mobile Phones, Disposable Nappies and Other Electrical products. In some categories support for stewardship was up to 80%.
To view the full survey results click here
In·2005 the Ministry for the Environment released a public discussion document on product stewardship in New Zealand.· Soon after the Ministry for the Environment (MFE) engaged consultants to undertake case studies for 5 separate waste areas. These included;
3R was engaged by the MFE to undertake three of these five case studies. Specifically these were Agrichemical Container Recovery and Paint & Paint Packaging take-back. 3R also worked with an Australian company on a case study for Whiteware Appliances.
Click on the logos below to see good examples of stewardship programmes in NZ
Legislating for the Future
Product stewardship is increasingly being mandated through government legislation. Many countries, including some of New Zealand's major export markets, now have such laws in place, including the EU, Japan, Taiwan and Canada. Legislation in New Zealand has recently been enacted. For the latest on new legislation in New Zealand click here.
Founded in 1975, LeaderBrand is recognised as one of New Zealand’s largest and most diversified horticultural and fresh food businesses.
With farms located in Gisborne and Canterbury, LeaderBrand is the largest grower, packer, and shipper of buttercup squash (Kabocha) in the world, and the largest grower, packer, and shipper of broccoli, lettuce and fresh sweetcorn in New Zealand. They are also one of the largest growers of 'Gisborne Chardonnay' and Pinot Gris grapes.
“The highly discerning Japanese market is a large scale export customer and the protocols they require are applied to all LeaderBrand produce,” explains the company’s Annual Crop Manager Richard Burke (pictured).
“We’re certified with NZGAP and have a certified HACCP-based food safety programme. We also conduct regular random residue tests and only use certified non-GMO seed stocks.”
Customers can trace the origin of a delivery directly to the paddock it was grown in, and view online documentation relating to the planting, crop management and harvesting of the produce in that paddock, plus subsequent storage, packing and shipping to the customer.
“We grow over 3,000ha of fresh produce every year, so we’re probably the largest single user of agrichemicals in the country,” says Richard.
And when it comes to recycling their plastic containers, Richard supports Agrecovery all the way.
Agrecovery Rural Recycling and Westland Milk Products are working together to achieve the co-operative's aim of ensuring the West Coast leads the New Zealand dairy industry in sustainable rural recycling initiatives.
Chris Pullen, Environmental Manager for Westland Milk Products says “We want to ensure that the West Coast dairy industry is highly regarded for its contribution to environmental sustainability.
“With Agrecovery’s help we can promote international best practice and protect New Zealand’s reputation for sustainable agribusiness practice right here on the West Coast.”
The collection of unwanted agrichemicals this year is set to be stronger than 2010's record of nearly 10 tonnes collected through the nationwide Agrecovery Chemicals Programme.
Otago topped the seven regional collections in 2010 with 1921 kilograms collected.
According to Debbie Sherwood, coordinator for the Agrecovery Chemicals programme, booking volumes have been equally strong in 2011, showing chemicals are still a problem on many properties.
“We have completed three collections so far this year, with a record 2060 kg collected in Canterbury. Four other regional collections are in the planning stages, including the Otago/Southland collection where bookings close on 2nd September.”
National leaders in product stewardship development 3R Group has added another accolade to its impressive CV with a paint recycling programme under its management gaining Product Stewardship accreditation.
3R manages the PaintWise paint and packaging take-back scheme on behalf of Resene.
Resene PaintWise is one of six programmes to secure Ministry of Environment (MfE) accreditation to date.
3R Group Executive Director Graeme Norton said the company was thrilled the Resene PaintWise programme joins another programme the company has developed, Agrecovery Rural Recycling, in receiving accreditation.
