For the first time in New Zealand, Visy, the country’s only glass manufacturer, achieved an average of 70 percent recycled glass content in its locally-made bottles and jars. New Zealand is the first country where Visy operates in to achieve this benchmark.
New Zealand Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon celebrated the milestone today with food and beverage companies at Visy’s Auckland glass manufacturing site.
The company manufactures each year over 700 million glass bottles and jars in New Zealand for the country’s iconic wineries and local food and beverage companies.
Mark De Wit, CEO off Visy, said, “Visy is proud to be making glass locally for iconic Kiwi brands.
“New Zealand makes some of the best wine in the world, it deserves the best bottles.
“New Zealand wineries, and food and beverage businesses can now claim some of the most sustainable glass packaging in the world, thanks to New Zealand’s green electricity grid and our high recycled content.”
“Together, we are showing the world that New Zealand is home to high quality, highly sustainable, premium products.”
Visy recycles glass from 50 councils across the country and re-manufactures it into new bottles and jars at their Auckland plant. This local and secure supply chain keeps New Zealand businesses stocked with the packaging they need to keep supermarket shelves stocked and products being exported across the world.
Most New Zealanders colour sort their glass containers at the kerb, ready for pick up and recycling. This best in class recycling collection has led to higher glass recovery, helping Visy reach their 70 percent recycled glass content target. The company has been working towards the target since 2021.
Recycling doesn’t just divert glass from landfill, it also protects our precious natural resources and reduces energy use during remanufacturing. A Visy glass container with 70 percent recycled content can be up to 30 percent less greenhouse gas intensive compared to glass containers with no recycled content.