Zero Waste Guide
Introduction
The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) is dedicated to making a difference in creating a sustainable New Zealand.
New Zealand's positioning as a clean and green country is important for trade and tourism as well as the quality of life of current and future generations.
Businesses throughout the world have found that reducing waste reduces costs and increases profits. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has encouraged this through ‘eco-efficiency’ which, in its simplest terms, means creating more goods and services with ever less use of resources, waste, and pollution.
Promoting Zero Waste helps fulfill the SBC aim of providing business leadership on environmental issues as well as demonstrating best practice and progress towards sustainable development.
Zero Waste is about the elimination of all forms of waste from production systems, including solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes. The SBC has chosen to focus on achieving zero solid waste in industry. Solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes are interrelated, therefore the focus on one type necessarily leads to addressing the others.
What is Zero Waste?
Zero Waste is a concept that is growing rapidly around the world and in New Zealand since it was first crystallised six years ago.
The principle of Zero Waste is akin to such principles as ‘zero accidents’ or ‘zero defects’ – which are now well established in manufacturing. By setting an extreme target for waste reduction, new levels of innovation and efficiency are unleashed. Zero Waste is a way of thinking, and a path to travel, rather than an absolute. Subscribing to Zero Waste does not mean instantly eliminating every last piece of waste whatever the cost.
The concept of Zero Waste and the thinking behind it are revolutionising approaches to waste management. Because it is a relatively new paradigm, the breadth and depth of the ideas and practice surrounding it are still evolving. The key principle of Zero Waste is that it defines "waste" as something that is simply not acceptable. This sidesteps debate about what a ‘reasonable’ level of waste is, and instead puts the focus on steadily working towards a life without waste. Ultimately, Zero Waste means a 100% resource efficient economy where, as in nature, material flows are cyclical and everything is re-used or recycled harmlessly back into society or nature. ‘Waste’ as we think of it today will cease to exist because everything will be viewed as a resource.
The current business model is based on the industrial revolution assumption that the earth provides an infinite source of raw materials, and an unlimited capacity to absorb our waste products. This assumption is clearly wrong and businesses now need to concentrate on creating more goods and services, while reducing waste and resource consumption.
Zero Waste is based on the understanding that all of the materials we utilise are resources, and only become waste through poor management. In practice, this means minimising waste during production as well as designing products that function cleanly and can be reused or recycled at the end of their life.
The Business Case
In 1991 the BCSD (the precursor to the WBCSD) coined the term ‘eco-efficiency’ to describe the business end of sustainable development. The term is now in wide usage around the world and is continually evolving as a concept.
In simple terms, eco-efficiency means creating more goods and services while minimising resources, waste, and pollution. Zero Waste is in essence the ultimate expression of eco-efficiency. It is the removal of a endemic inefficiency – waste – from the system.
It is important to understand that eco-efficiency and Zero Waste are not simply about making incremental improvements in existing practices and habits. On the contrary, they should stimulate creativity and innovation in the search for new ways to do business. The application of eco-efficiency and Zero Waste concepts are not limited to a manufacturer’s plant and management, but are most effective when applied throughout the entire supply chain of a product or process.
Becoming more efficient makes good business sense. Eco-efficiency and Zero Waste call for business to achieve more value from lower inputs of materials and energy and with reduced emissions. Waste does not enhance customer or stakeholder value and therefore ultimately has no place in business. Zero Waste can potentially enable business to maximise the amount of product per unit of raw material and reduce the cost of production. Additionally, every unit of material sent to waste carries a disposal cost. Therefore, by reducing waste, businesses can reduce costs.
Some may argue that efficiency in business is not a new concept and that business has always been focused on efficiency. However, reality paints a different picture: in New Zealand 55% of solid waste landfilled is from industrial sources. Cleaner Production programmes have consistently demonstrated impressive savings even with companies that have considered themselves ‘state of the art’.
Business has proven to be extraordinarily efficient in some ways – such as its ability to deliver goods and services to consumers – but it has so far been extraordinarily inefficient in its use of resources. The business model in use today evolved with the assumptions that the earth provided an infinite source of raw materials and an unlimited capacity to absorb the waste products that were generated. It is clear today that with the growing population, impacts of pollution such as global warming, and continuing reliance on non-renewable materials, that this is no longer true and that we are fast approaching the limits of the earth to provide the services we have taken for granted.
There is a need for New Zealand businesses to support the emerging secondary materials economy through purchasing decisions that favour products manufactured from recycled resources. Zero Waste is about 'closing the loop', and business plays a crucial role in influencing consumer choice and promoting alternative products.
Almost all the countries that import or compete with New Zealand products have higher population densities than New Zealand. These countries will increasingly have to develop or import products that enable them to save on landfill space, reduce pollution, reduce waste at its source and conserve energy. This trend is well established in Europe and North America and is emerging in the more developed Asian countries. New Zealand cannot afford to get left behind by creating products that are limited in their markets as a consequence of being designed for a high waste society. The imperative to gear New Zealand products to meet international best practice in waste minimisation will become stronger and stronger as these pressures increase.
The SBC has acknowledged the recent growth of Zero Waste, including its adoption by a number of leading companies such as those profiled in the following pages of this website. The value of Zero Waste to business is that it provides a stretch target and a guiding vision for the process of continuous improvement within the eco-efficiency model.
Participating Companies
Eight Sustainable Business Council member companies are active participants in the Zero Waste Project.
As part of the commitment, each company will encourage its associated businesses, particularly suppliers, to adopt Zero Waste and to sign up to this project. Any new companies to sign up will appear on this site, under the associated member.
- absolutely.co.nz
- APN Print Heatset Manukau
- Synergy Clothing (NZ) Ltd
- Vodafone New Zealand Ltd
- Wellington Zoo
- 3M New Zealand
- Living Earth
- Palliser Wines
- Port of Tauranga
- The Warehouse
- URS New Zealand
- Waste Management
- Watercare Services
Continuous Improvement
To commit to Zero Waste means committing to a path of continuous improvement. The continuous improvement process is illustrated by this diagram.
The continuous improvement process:
- The first step is to gain the commitment of the key parties in your organisation. Commitment at the CEO or Board level is crucial, but this commitment must be gained at all levels in the organisation to be successful.
- Following this is it necessary to do an initial review of your businesses operations to uncover the key issues that will have to be addressed and to establish baseline data against which to measure progress.
- The next step is to analyse the data gathered during the review to establish likely priorities.
- This is followed by a process of generating a series of initiatives that could meet the objectives established by the analysis.
- The initiatives are then prioritised and implemented.
- Finally the Zero Waste initiatives need to be monitored and reviewed to establish their effectiveness and to chart progress.
A number of organisations that can assist companies in their continuous improvement process are listed in the Resources section of this website.
5 Keys to Zero Waste
Once the decision has been made to commit to Zero Waste and to the continuous improvement process, the next task is to decide which of the many possible initiatives should be undertaken and what priority they should have in a programme.
Although there are likely to be some easy and quick gains to be made, it should be remembered that Zero Waste will not be arrived at instantaneously. Therefore there is a need to ensure that the elements of a Zero Waste programme are balanced and ordered, and work together over time to bring about the realisation of the Zero Waste goal. An unbalanced programme will sooner or later run up against obstacles that will slow and possibly even halt progress. Five key areas for action have been identified as being essential in a balanced, holistic Zero Waste programme. Action should be taken concurrently in all five areas to ensure a balanced and successful programme.
The key areas of action are set out to the right. Click on the areas of action to find out how the project participants have implemented each of these keys in their businesses. Under each key area one initiative has been highlighted as an effective action undertaken by several or all of the participating companies. The stories in each key action represent only a handful of the inspirational and successful endeavours undertaken by New Zealand companies on the path to Zero Waste.
1. Take direct action
Direct action involves initiatives that deal directly with the waste stream.
absolutely.co.nz Ltd.
Initiatives In Progress
We are currently implementing triple bottom line reporting. In accordance with this we are developing a plan to ultimately achieve a zero waste policy within our organisation.
APN Print Heatset Manukau & Ellerslie
Initiatives In Progress
- Commitment from the top management team to waste reduction by the creation of a new Environmental and Waste controller position.
- In house recycling programme since February 2006.
- Daily waste audit since February 2006.
Synergy Clothing (NZ) Ltd
Initiatives in Progress
- Biodegradable water fountain drinking cups
- Zero Waste statement for staff room encouraging initiatives
- Recycling of all papers & cardboards, office & factory wide.
- Management agreement
Initiatives Planned
- Composting of all food scraps
- Worm farm
Vodafone New Zealand Limited
Initiatives in Progress
Vodafone teams up with Zero Waste NZ Trust
Great news regarding the prevention of toxic waste to our landfills as well as Zero Waste NZ Trust’s coffers.
Vodafone NZ Ltd is just about to launch a nationwide mobile phone recycling campaign. The Vodafone Foundation will donate $5 per individual who recycles a handset, battery or charger to Zero Waste NZ Trust as well as give customers $5 free airtime for every recycling envelope returned containing a handset battery. Envelopes can be collected from participating Vodafone stores (or online from ww.vodafone.co.nz).
All mobiles, irrespective of age, condition or network will be recycled by Vodafone. Equipment will be shipped to Singapore where they will be safely disposed of by ISO 9001 certified recycler Citiraya. (Go to www.citiraya.com) Vodafone estimate that about 2.6 million Kiwis use a mobile phone and on average buy a new handset every 18 to 24 months.
Wellington Zoo
Initiatives in Progress
- Recycling
- Composting
Initiatives Planned
- Recycle everything!
3M New Zealand
Initiatives in Progress
3M has a reputation for finding innovative solutions to maximise production efficiency. Waste of any kind is regarded as an inefficiency, and 3M NZ continuously develops better means of reducing waste.
From 1990 to 2001, 3M NZ has reduced its solid waste index (measured as kg of waste per kg of material outputs) by 44%. This has been achieved through a rigorous system of production monitoring and recycling or reusing all glass, aluminium, paper, packaging, industrial metals and wooden pallets generated in workshops, stockrooms, and administrative offices. A key goal for 3M NZ in 2002 is a further 10% reduction in waste.
Another example of direct action is 3M NZ's solvent recovery facility, in operation since 1993. By recovering waste solvent from ovens and re-using it in the manufacturing process, 3M NZ has realised savings in solvent purchases of around $500,000 per year. In addition, the facility has reduced atmospheric emissions of volatile organic carbon (VOC) by 92%.
Palliser Estate Wines
Initiatives in Progress
Palliser Estate Wines has been implementing direct waste minimising actions since 1998 in the offices, winery, vineyard, and sales area. Office paper is recycled, except for sheets with printing on one side, which is collected and made into notepads for office use. Drink bottles and cans are recycled, and food scraps from the staff kitchen are put in the compost bin in the garden. Wine bottles, corks, and metal capsules from the sales and tasting shop are recycled, and customers can be provided with reused cardboard boxes (made from recycled fibre) to carry their purchased bottles. Boxes are also stamped with a “please recycle” message.
The wine-making process has also been assessed to minimise waste. Grape skins and stalks are given to a local farmer for deer or cattle feed. Sediment from the bottom of the fermentation tanks is collected in a portable tank and pumped onto the vineyard. A special waste water system enables “clean” waste water from the winery to be reused for irrigation of trees and lawns.
Port of Tauranga
Initiatives in Progress
Port of Tauranga has been taking direct action against waste for several years. Logs naturally lose bark while being handled as part of marshalling and loading of vessels. As the largest exporter of logs in New Zealand, there is a considerable amount of waste for the port authority to deal with. To solve the problem, Port of Tauranga has reached a mutually beneficial arrangement with Dalton’s Garden Suppliers; the Port provides a storage shed for the bark, and Dalton’s collects it free of charge. The savings in disposal costs for the port are significant.
Last year thousands of tonnes of bark was diverted from landfill and turned into a valuable soil enhancer. By crushing and composting, Dalton’s Ltd is able to “stabilise” the bark to use as an ingredient in potting mix. They have also developed the unique technology to create a product called “Bark Fibre”, which is a direct substitute for peat. In recent years, due to environmental concerns, there has been a world wide shift away from using the traditional peat-based growing media. Bark Fibre is a proven substitute for peat with superior physical properties and, as it is produced from a waste product, an ecologically sound option. Many large garden product outlets in Europe, and also The Warehouse in New Zealand (supplied by Dalton’s Ltd), prohibit the use of peat in their house-brand mixes. Port of Tauranga has also been exploring alternative means for dealing with the quarantine waste from international shipping, looking at options such as auto-claving (heat sterilisation) followed by recovery of recyclable materials. In-house, the office recycling and composting systems are developing under the initiative of a highly motivated environmentally and socially aware staff.
The Warehouse
Initiatives in Progress
The Warehouse is a recognised leader in the move towards Zero Waste and has initiated a number of direct waste-minimising actions throughout the company. In-store, source separation of wastes began in 1999. Since then, different systems have been designed for administration offices, customer accessed areas, and stockrooms.
At The Warehouse head office in Auckland, staff have access to recycling facilities for paper, cardboard, bottles, cans, and certain plastics. All food scraps are collected for composting in large worm bins located in the gardens. Since the majority of office-generated waste is paper, individual desk waste paper bins are used only for collecting paper and cardboard for recycling. Head office is also a styrofoam-free environment; all staff are issued with their own, personalised mug, and additional mugs are provided for guests.
The in-store recycling system for customer-generated wastes has evolved since 1999 into a streamlined, user-friendly system for recycling food scraps, paper, cardboard, plastics, and coat hangers. The goal is to make recycling just as easy as disposal for customers. In the stockroom, woolsacks are used to collect specific packaging items for recycling or re-use. Recovered materials include paper, soft plastics, strapping, polystyrene, and hard plastics. Damaged goods are collected and auctioned-off. Signage has been developed to ensure efficient and correct separation of materials.
To handle the volume of materials recovered through source-separation, The Warehouse set-up three designated recycling centres (in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch) where materials are baled and stored until appropriate recycling markets are found. Where suitable markets could not be found for certain packaging materials, The Warehouse has approached suppliers to replace their non-recyclable packaging with recyclable alternatives. For example, The Warehouse convinced its CD suppliers to replace difficult to recycle polystyrene chips with newsprint.
The Warehouse Environmental Coordinator, Richard Morley-Hall, emphasises that this is not a "rags to riches" story. Although savings of around $200,000 per year (approximately 20%) have been achieved through reduced disposal costs, the income received through sales of recycled materials is insignificant.
2. Change the rules
Changing the rules involves looking at policies, procedures and financial incentives to encourage waste minimisation rather than disposal.
absolutely.co.nz Ltd.
Initiatives Planned
- Introduce an in house recycling program.
- Audit current suppliers on whether they use TBL.
- Measure our carbon ouput levels and plant native trees to replace what we use.
- Reduce our water, waste and electricity consumption.
APN Print Heatset Manukau & Ellerslie
Initiatives In Progress
- Evaluation of our opportunities to become a greener printer (recycled paper, alternative less hazardous chemicals).
Initiatives Planned
- Waste minimisation and zero waste target incorporate in our Environmental policy.
- Challenge our customers to embrace more friendly printing practices and projects.
- Work with our suppliers to decrease environmental impacts of our activities without compromise the quality of our products.
Synergy Clothing (NZ) Ltd
Initiatives In Progress
- Displayed signage on door to factory reads to all couriers & others to switch off motors when waiting so as not to pollute our people inside
Initiatives Planned
- To encourage a Zero Waste mentality amongst all employees & management
Wellington Zoo
Initiatives In Progress
- Sorting of waste into recyclable and compostable
Initiatives Planned
- Change our business processes
- Start to compost our waste ourselves
3M New Zealand
Initiatives In Progress
3M has been changing the rules since 1975 with its Pollution Prevention Pays (3P) programme, reducing air emissions by 80%, reducing overall waste by 35%, and saving US$825 million (figures are corporate-wide). The 3P programme was considered revolutionary thinking in its time, and represented a major shift in the balance of incentives and disincentives for minimising waste in 3M’s manufacturing processes. The concept that pollution and waste are costs to business is firmly ingrained in company culture.
In New Zealand, 3M has a number of systems in place to ensure waste minimisation. Short-term incentive plans have been used and continuous improvement using the "6 sigma" approach is being implemented in the manufacturing and other departments of the business. 3M NZ’s contractor management programme also includes environmental elements, ensuring that waste minimisation is also a concern for contractors to 3M NZ.
Living Earth
Initiatives Planned
Living Earth has taken measures to change the rules “up the pipeline” to reduce the waste produced in their own operation.
Living Earth requires a clean, green organic waste stream to produce high-quality compost. In Wellington, where Living Earth combines biosolids from the city council’s waste water treatment plant and garden waste in its composting process, levels of mercury in the biosolids were at unacceptable standards. Investigations showed that dentists were the major source of mercury entering the sewage system. By collaborating with the NZ Dental Association, Living Earth and the Wellington City Council were able to promote a Code of Practice for dentists to eliminate mercury from the sewer system.
The Warehouse
Initiatives In Progress
The Warehouse changed the rules entirely by declaring a corporate-wide target of Zero Waste to landfill by 2002. Waste is not an option, which creates enormous incentives for source separation and diversion of materials in all stores. To minimise the amount of waste generated in stores, The Warehouse buyers have been given a radical packaging reduction target by way of their "terms of trade" document. This results in buyers and suppliers working together to solve packaging problems, and effectively pushing the Zero Waste concept further along the supply chain.
In addition, The Warehouse has been actively promoting Zero Waste across the retail industry via the New Zealand Retail Association.
Waste Management
Initiatives In Progress
Waste Management NZ has foreseen for some time the policy agenda moving towards waste minimisation and resource recovery. As a result it is changing the fundamental nature of its operation, progressively shifting the business strategy focus away from waste disposal and towards resource recovery. A key element of the company’s move to start unbundling the waste stream is its subsidiary company Living Earth, which composts organic material. Waste Management NZ also collects inorganic material, such as glass, plastics and metal, for recovery. The company has also started offering waste recovery and recycling audits for its clients.
The company is active in the development of national policy and contributed to the framing of the recent “The New Zealand Waste Strategy - Towards zero waste and a sustainable New Zealand”. Waste Management NZ was also actively involved in the production of the Waste Management Institute of NZ’s landmark document, “lifeafterwaste” (2001), which presents a new, national vision for waste and resource recovery.
Watercare
Initiatives In Progress
Biosolids resulting from wastewater treatment represent a huge waste for Watercare to deal with. Over the past 10 years, Watercare has placed significant emphasis on managing the discharges to the sewerage system from industry to reduce toxic substances in sewers, and ultimately the waste treatment plant. This in turn reduces the contaminant load of waste discharged from the wastewater treatment plant, both as liquids and biosolids. Watercare is able to investigate and control possible sources of toxic material in trade waste.
3. Foster new ideas
Fostering new ideas enables the development of new solutions to solve waste issues.
APN Print Heatset Manukau & Ellerslie
Initiatives In Progress
- Participation on the Renew Resource exchange program.
- Increasing our network with the members of RONZ (already have connection with Paper Reclaim, Waste Management, Sims Pacific, Sharjo Holdings Ltd)
Initiatives Planned
- Offer some of our white paper waste to schools.
Synergy Clothing (NZ) Ltd
Initiatives In Progress
- Currently a questionaire is being circulated amongst our clients, with all to date commenting favourably on their preference to do business with an environmentally focused company!
Initiatives Planned
- Questionaires to clients
- Worm farm
- Employee feedback
Wellington Zoo
Initiatives In Progress
- We have recently audited all of our waste
Initiatives Planned
- We are considering a research project with a local university
Port of Tauranga
Initiatives In Progress
Port of Tauranga has established a Business for Social Responsibility working group, composed of enthusiastic employees. The group has acted on both personal and corporate objectives, developing creative ideas for improving the local environment. Activities include a beach and neighbourhood rubbish clean up every six weeks, implementation of office recycling and composting systems, and regular reporting to the company to stimulate further initiatives. The Port is also a member of “Businesses for a Better Bay” a social and environmental sustainability business group in the Bay of Plenty Area, which provides a forum for exchanging information and ideas.
The Warehouse
Initiatives In Progress
We do not currently have all the necessary solutions to solve all the waste issues. The Warehouse has been sourcing ideas from the Tindall Foundation and the Zero Waste NZ Trust since 1998. The Warehouse recognises that research and development to support the growing recycling industry is essential, particularly in areas which directly affect the profitability of the company’s recycling activities. Mixed grade plastics are a large source of waste for The Warehouse, and there are no existing suitable recycling markets for it.
Two years ago, The Warehouse began work with the Tindall Foundation and Sustainable NZ to explore the possibility of a plastic timber pilot plant in New Zealand. Similar plants operate in Europe and Australia, manufacturing a timber substitute from mixed grade, post-consumer plastic. The plastic timber can replace regular timber in most situations, and has the added benefit of being more durable and not needing treatment. This makes it an ideal alternative for vineyard stakes, sea bollards, wharves, and park structures. A pilot plant in Glenfield, Auckland should be ready for operation in the next 12 months and, in the meantime, The Warehouse is stockpiling all its plastics that currently do not have a market.
Watercare
Initiatives In Progress
Watercare continues to invest in research aimed at developing new markets and solutions for resource recovery. Staff continuously explore international leading practice, and collaborate locally with other New Zealand wastewater businesses to exchange ideas and improve environmental performance. Diverting biosolids from municipal landfill is a major priority for Watercare. Watercare is also undertaking feasibility studies for reusing highly treated effluent in industrial applications, and for reusing biosolids.
4. Communicate and educate
Communication and education involves informing the staff and stakeholders of the issues, providing opportunity for input and participation.
APN Print Heatset Manukau & Ellerslie
Initiatives In Progress
- Three notice boards in the plants dedicated to environmental.
- Monthly data and charts on our recycling progress are displayed on notice boards around the plants.
Initiatives Planned
- Training on waste management and recycling.
- Development of our web site on our environmental commitment and initiatives.
Synergy Clothing (NZ) Ltd
Initiatives In Progress
A dedicated environmentalist, H&S Rep2 within the company is responsibile for the Zero Waste initiatives, including signage, composting, recycling procedures, staff awareness training & monitoring
Initiatives Planned
Zero Waste statement in the company's Induction forms & in the Human Resource Policies & Procedures Statement
Wellington Zoo
Initiatives In Progress
Staff workshops and internal newsletter
Initiatives Planned
Conference to the Australasian Zoo's conference on our programme, March 2007
Living Earth
Initiatives Planned
The key to sustainable waste recovery is seeing value in a resource that others see as waste.
At Living Earth a critically important principle is their focus on quality of finished product and their commitment to marketing, both aimed at sustaining customer demand.
The company’s technical staff work with the marketing team to develop standards of product quality for themselves and for the industry in general.
For its rural customers the company undertakes field trials with CRIs like Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua and ESR to monitor crop growth and contamination impacts in compost usage. A key message in the company’s marketing is the value of compost in soil health and sustainable land management. For its domestic market, Living Earth has been a long time sponsor of TVNZ’s popular Maggie’s Garden Show.
Palliser Estate Wines
Initiatives In Progress
Palliser Estate actively communicates their environmental initiatives to both staff and customers. Staff training incorporates education on the waste minimisation systems in place in the company. In the wine tasting cellar a list of environmental initiatives, including waste reduction projects, is mounted in a prominent position with the title: “Here at Palliser Estate we are proud to be an environmentally aware business”. The list also provides visitors with several suggestions on how they can increase their own environmental awareness, such as recycling corks, bottles, and cartons.
The Warehouse
Initiatives In Progress
A dedicated project team is responsible for developing The Warehouse’s Zero Waste programme for all stores. The programme follows the Zero Waste policy, and includes setting-up signage, recycling bins, monitoring systems, and staff training. Educating staff in the correct handling of various waste streams for separation and recycling is essential to achieve the Zero Waste target. Sustainability is one of the "core competencies" addressed during initial staff training.
URS New Zealand
Initiatives In Progress
In addition to company-wide e-mails and newsletter articles explaining the new office waste reduction system, URS New Zealand took a personal direct approach to informing and achieving support for change from staff.
In the Auckland office, the waste minimisation representative met with each employee to deliver their personal paper recycling box and to explain the purpose and importance of the new system. Receiving instructions and information from a colleague encouraged staff to participate, and provided each person with a point of contact for any queries or suggestions. Regular feedback is provided to keep up momentum and recognise achievements to date.
5. Monitor and feedback
Monitoring and feedback include assessing and reporting on waste stream characteristics and the success (or not) of Zero Waste initiatives.
APN Print Heatset Manukau & Ellerslie
Initiatives In Progress
Biweekly and monthly waste management reports (paper-rubbish-chemical-litho plates-cardboard-office paper-plastic film- commingled).
Synergy Clothing (NZ) Ltd
Initiatives In Progress
A trained company H&S Rep2 is overseeing Zero Waste initiatives and is encouraging feedback from all
Initiatives Planned
Regular monitoring audits
Wellington Zoo
Initiatives In Progress
Keep auditing!
Initiatives Planned
We will continue to test if things are working.
3M New Zealand
Initiatives In Progress
3M NZ engages in extensive monitoring of wastes generated and reports the results quarterly. Figures are reported as a ratio of waste to good output, and allow 3M NZ to determine whether the company is meeting its waste reduction target. Graphic presentation of figures facilitates interpretation and enables trends to be detected. The Environmental, Health and Safety Operating Group, led by 3M NZ’s Environment Manager, presents the quarterly report at Leadership Team meetings for discussion and feedback.
The Warehouse
Initiatives In Progress
Correct separation of wastes is a crucial step in The Warehouse’s move to Zero Waste. Secondary markets demand high quality, sorted materials, and any contamination reduces marketability.
Each store has a 'Zero Waste champion' who is responsible for ongoing education and system monitoring instore. Information collected from the recycling centresis used to publish a montly sortation rankings report. Overall company progress is reported annually in a Triple Bottom Line report.
URS New Zealand
Initiatives In Progress
To gauge the success of their in-house waste minimisation system, URS New Zealand is committed to performing regular office waste audits. An initial audit was conducted prior to system implementation, and a second audit was completed several months later. The results of the audits show a 40% reduction in waste, by volume, from the URS New Zealand Auckland office, due largely to an improved paper recycling programme and council kerbside collection bins used for glass, plastic bottles, and cans. More specifically, 52% less paper and 86% less glass is being sent to landfill. The audits have highlighted the fact that office rubbish bins do not need to be cleared daily by cleaners, especially since most of the waste can be diverted through recycling. Reducing the number of times rubbish bins are emptied by cleaners has also provided cost savings.
Resources
Key contacts to get started:
The following organisations can provide information and support to businesses wishing to begin, or continue further along, the journey towards Zero Waste.
Zero Waste New Zealand Trust
PO Box 33 1695
Takapuna
Auckland
Ph 09 486 0734
Fax 09 489 3232
reception@zerowaste.co.nz
www.zerowaste.co.nz
Zero Waste New Zealand Trust focuses on three core areas: advocacy and policy development; networking and technology transfer; and funding in order to achieve its goal of encouraging and motivating all sectors of New Zealand society to work towards a target of zero waste to landfill. They will also be able to put you in touch with organisations that can help you implement a Zero Waste programme.
Sustainable Business Council (SBC)
PO Box 1665
Shortland Street
Auckland
Ph 09 525 9727
Fax 09 580 1071
office@sbc.org.nz
Waste Not Consulting
PO Box 78 372
Grey Lynn
Auckland
Phone: 09 360 5190
Fax: 09 360 5187
Website: www.wastenot.co.nz
Email: wastenot@xtra.co.nz
Waste Not Consulting is a specialist professional consultancy leading the way in providing solutions to the growing waste problem.
BusinessCare
PO Box 11 595
Wellington
Ph 04 801 9162
Fax 04 801 9307
Contact: Peter Crosland
Peterc@businesscare.org.nz
www.businesscare.org.nz
BusinessCare is a charitable trust that supports, assists, and encourages local businesses around New Zealand to use more sustainable practices and minimise their wastes. Regional Business Care coordinators are available to assist businesses with their CP programmes.
Recycling Operators of New Zealand
PO Box 33 183
Takapuna
Ph 09 488 9449
Info@ronz.org.nz
www.ronz.org.nz
RONZ is a non-profit organisation that represents all the diverse interests committed to the common goal of maximizing recycling in order to achieve resource conservation, solid waste reduction, environmental protection, energy conservation, and social and economic development. RONZ has produced a comprehensive recycling directory, containing contact information for a variety of organisations offering resource recovery services in New Zealand. To obtain a copy, please contact RONZ.
The Waste Exchange
Ph 0800 NOTHROW (668 4769)
www.nothrow.co.nz
pippa@nothrow.co.nz
The Waste Exchange is a not for profit service that has operated as a free service to business since 1999. The Waste Exchange facilitates the exchange of information to allow the diversion of waste from landfill to reuse or recycling. There are 'waste exchanges' operating in many parts of New Zealand.
Ministry for the Environment
PO Box 10 362
Wellington
Ph 04 917 7400
Fax 04 917 7521
www.mfe.govt.nz
Packaging Council of NZ
PO Box 76 089
Manukau City
Ph 09 262 4044
The Council represents manufacturers, fillers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers of packaging and has worked since 1992 to provide a holistic approach to the issue of packaging waste.
33 Recovered Materials Enterprise Trust (RMET)
PO Box 78 372
Grey Lynn
recycloans@pl.net
RMET operates The Recycloans Fund, a loan fund established to support the development of products and markets utilising recovered materials. Its objectives are to achieve waste reduction, job creation, and community economic development.
Environmental Choice New Zealand Trust
PO Box 56 533
Dominion Road
Mt Eden
Auckland 1003
Ph 09 845 3330
Fax 09 845 3331
info@enviro-choice.org.nz
www.enviro-choice.org.nz
Environmental Choice is an environmental labelling programme created to help consumers find products that ease the burden on the environment.
NZ Water and Wastes Association Inc
PO Box 13 880
Onehunga
Auckland
Ph 09 636 3636
Fax 09 636 1234
water@nzwwa.org.nz
www.nzwwa.org.nz
The Association is a non-profit, technical, and educational organisation that serves its members and the public by promoting environmental responsibility and providing technical and managerial leadership in the fields of water and wastes management.
Plastics Institute of New Zealand
PO Box 76 378
Manukau City
Ph 09 262 3773
Fax 09 262 3850
info@plasticsnz.com
www.plasticsnz.com
The Institute provides advice to all parties investigating viable recycling operations and collates data. Educates and informs the public on environmental issues and plastics.
Waste Management Institute NZ Inc
PO Box 31 580
Milford
Auckland
Ph 09 486 6722
Fax 09 486 3722
wasteminz@xtra.co.nz
www.wasteminz.co.nz
WasteMINZ is a multi-disciplinary organisation for anyone involved in the management of all aspects of waste – engineers, scientists, planners, managers, contractors, suppliers, collectors and disposers, business people, and environmentalists.
Green Globe Asia Pacific Pty Ltd
GPO Box 371 Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
Ph 61 2 6257 9102
customer.services@ggasiapacific.com.au
www.ggasiapacific.com.au
Green Globe provides an international certification programme (Green Globe 21) for sustainable travel and tourism.
Zero Emissions Research & Initiatives
International Environment House
11-13 Chemin des Anemones
CH - 1219 Geneva
Switzerland
www.zeri.org
ZERI is a practical approach to satisfying humanity's needs for water, food, energy, jobs, shelter and more, in an environmentally sustainable manner, by applying science and technology and involving government, business and academia.
ESSENTIAL READING
- Paul Hawken, The Ecology of Commerce-How Business can Save the Planet. 1993. HarperCollins Publishers.
- Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins and L.Hunter Lovins. Natural Capitalism, 1999, Little, brown and Company
- Robin Murray, Creating Wealth from Waste, 2001, Demos
- Robin Murray, Zero Waste, 2002, Greenpeace.
- Ray C. Anderson, Mid-Course Correction Towards a Sustainable Enterprise: The Interface Model. 1998. The Peregrinzilla Press.
FAQs
Here are some answers to questions we are often asked about Zero Waste.
Is Zero Waste the same as 100% reuse, recycling, and composting?
No. Reuse, recycling, and composing are only a small part of Zero Waste, and focus on the end of a product's lifecycle. In fact, most of the waste and associated environmental degradation occurs during the manufacturing stage: around 70 rubbish bins worth of industrial waste is produced for every rubbish bin of discarded materials set out at curbside. Zero Waste applies to our whole environment, economy, and community.
Isn't 'zero' impossible to achieve?
No system is 100% efficient – but we know that we can get very close. By establishing a goal of zero, organisations can focus energy on eliminating waste, rather than on 'managaing' it.
