In conjunction with environmental lobby group Carrying Our Future, PERC ran a national single-use plastic bag forum in Palmerston North. Attendees at the forum discussed positive ways to meet challenges associated with single-use plastic bags in New Zealand. The forum was opened by Mayor Grant Smith and well-attended by a wide range of interested individuals and groups including designers, a waste engineer, a musician, a waste consultant, an economist, a city councillor, and an anthropologist. Among the notable presenters and attendees were Green Party MP, Hon. Denise Roche, Warren Snow (Envision), Jonathon Hannon (Zero Waste Academy), Ben Wooliscroft (University of Otago Associate Professor), and Brodie Hoare (My Plastic Diet).
The forum generated a lively discussion about the need for a national body that could act as an independent voice advocating for balanced and accountable government, industry and community engagement around the issue of product stewardship. This discussion has resulted in the establishment of the New Zealand Product Stewardship Council (NZPSC). Massey summer scholar, Isaac Tombleson, wrote a report for the Council which provided an overview of the establishment and activities of similar organisations internationally and the potential for such a council in New Zealand. One of the first tasks of the NZPSC was a survey to gauge national interest in such a council.
See related media releases:
Plastic waste targeted by environmental forum
Ditching plastic bags ‘easiest ethical decision in New Zealand
Single-use plastic bag petition update and forum
Enough of naff bags already