Visy smashes recycled glass content target in New Zealand

Glass manufacturer Visy has achieved an average of 70% recycled glass content in its locally made bottles and jars — making New Zealand the first country for Visy to achieve this benchmark.

New Zealand Prime Minister the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon celebrated the milestone on 15 April 2025 with food and beverage companies at Visy’s glass manufacturing site in Auckland.

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.

CEO of Visy Mark De Wit said the company was proud to be making glass locally for iconic Kiwi brands.

“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 export products across the world.

Most New Zealanders colour-sort their glass containers at the kerb, ready for pick-up and recycling. This recycling collection process has led to higher glass recovery, helping Visy reach its 70% recycled glass content target. It has been working towards the target since 2021.

A glass container with 70% recycled content can be up to 30% less greenhouse gas intensive compared to glass containers with no recycled content.

Image caption: At the celebration on 15 April 2025 is Visy CEO Mark De Wit, Visy Deputy Chair Fiona Geminder, Minister for Media and Communications Hon Paul Goldsmith MP and Right Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand.