“The hybrid return-to-retail model proposed by the New Zealand Government strikes the perfect balance between ensuring beverage suppliers play an integral role in the return and recycling of drink containers, while also providing for the continuation of the incredible work communities and charities have historically played in recycling and litter collection in New Zealand,” said Ryan Buzzell, President of TOMRA Collection Pacific. TOMRA is the leading global provider of sensor-based collection and sorting equipment to the recycling and food industries
“The scheme proposed by the New Zealand Government is based on the best-practice European ‘return-to-retail’ model. This consistently sees container return rates above 90%, due to the ability for consumers to return their containers and receive their deposit at any retail location that sells eligible beverages.”
“The success of the best international deposit return systems relies on a model that ensures individuals can conveniently return their containers at places which they visit regularly to shop while simultaneously creating jobs in the circular economy.”
More than two billion beverage containers are sold in New Zealand each year. Currently, less than half of those containers are recycled, with other containers ending up as litter or in landfills.
“TOMRA looks forward to participating in the Government’s consultation process and supporting New Zealand to implement a world-leading deposit return system,” said Buzzell.