For the first time in New Zealand, the country’s only glass manufacturer Visy achieved an average of 70% recycled glass content in its locally-made bottles and jars. New Zealand is the first country 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. 

Visy manufactures over 700 million glass bottles and jars in New Zealand for the country’s iconic wineries and local food and beverage companies each year.  

Visy is proud to be making glass locally for iconic Kiwi brands, says its CEO Mark De Wit.  

“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 remanufactures it into new bottles and jars at its factory in Auckland. Visy’s 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 its 70% recycled glass content target. It 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% recycled content can be up to 30% less greenhouse gas intensive compared to glass containers with no recycled content.