Foodstuffs has been named as the foundation partner of The Packaging Forum’s Caps and Lids Recycling Scheme.

The scheme allows Kiwis to dispose of their caps and lids for recycling at 16 Pak’nSave, New World, and Four Square shops in Auckland.

This includes lids and caps of beer and wines, spreads, cleaning and cosmetic products, and sauce bottles.

“Since the government announced changes to kerbside recycling, we’ve been working closely with The Packaging Forum and other member organisations to find a solution to help Kiwis recycle their caps and lids,” said Debra Goulding, Foodstuffs sustainable packaging manager.

The grocery retailer noted that around 16,000 tonnes of plastic and metal lids are used to seal products in the country every year.

“Kerbside standardisation is necessary to simplify and streamline the collection of materials for recycling but we need to do more to prevent sending this valuable material to landfill,” said Goulding.

Foodstuffs and The Packaging Forum will collaborate on expanding their collection network over the next year.

Pact Recycling, Hayes Metals, Simms Metals, and the Association of Metal Recyclers will act as processing partners for the scheme.

Foodstuffs, along with other organisations, including Lion, NZ Post, Fonterra, Frucor Suntory, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle and L’Oreal, signed the New Zealand Plastic Packaging Declaration in 2018.

The declaration commits to making all their packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable next year.