Fitzsimons Jeanette: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Fitzsimons Jeanette: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:628;Page:169] 
2.  
NANDOR TANCZOS (Green) 
 on behalf of  
JEANETTE FITZSIMONS (Co-Leader—Green) 
 to the  
Minister for the Environment 
: 
 Will the goals of the New Zealand Packaging Accord 2004 and the New Zealand waste strategy be compromised by any moves to stop supplying milk in refillable glass bottles as proposed by Meadow Fresh in the South Island? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for the Environment) 
: 
 I do not believe that that move were it to happen would compromise the goals of the waste strategy or the Packaging Accord. Those initiatives will continue to drive waste reduction and recycling and take account of full life-cycle environmental impacts. A report on year 1 of the Packaging Accord has recently been completed and shows that significant progress was made towards encouraging voluntary compliance and industry self-regulation. I am personally disappointed at the proposal being considered by Meadow Fresh and I hope it will reconsider. We already have a significant glass mountain to deal with in trying to recycle glass and clearly the reuse of glass containers is preferable to recycling. 
Nandor Tanczos 
: Does he not agree that the proposal to scrap glass milk bottles such as the one I have here in the South Island is yet another example of how voluntary measures are totally inadequate to decrease the amount of waste going to landfills? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: No. The Government’s desire is first of all to test the voluntary approach before considering legislation. The Packaging Accord was signed with the inclusion of the following clause 12: “If a voluntary approach does not provide sufficient improvements in reducing packaging waste per New Zealander and encourage product stewardship.” The Government is prepared to consider doing so by regulation. 
Nandor Tanczos 
: Does the Minister agree that the best way to reduce packaging waste is through reuse; if so will he be directing his officials to look at how we can encourage investment in the packaging reuse market? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: Reuse is certainly to be encouraged but unfortunately the reuse of containers does not apply right across the waste-product stream. I will certainly consider positively any submissions from the member on that matter. 
Nandor Tanczos 
: When will his Government introduce measures that require each business to take responsibility for the waste it generates rather than allowing businesses to pass the cost of disposal on to the New Zealand ratepayer? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: The Government will consider such measures at such time as voluntary measures are shown to be ineffective. 
Nandor Tanczos 
: Given the support the Minister gave to my late colleague Rod Donald on this issue would he be happy to be the first person to sign this petition to Mr Graeme Hart calling for reconsideration of the proposal to axe glass milk bottles? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: Thanks to the miracles of modern technology I can assure the member that I do have a copy of the petition and I will consider signing it.