A couple of weeks ago, we published an article by the Australian Retailers Association regarding Australia’s commitment to the 2025 sustainable packaging goal. You can read the article again here https://bit.ly/2FBe5k1

Further to this article, the ARA have provided some additional points below:

  • Under national regulations issued by the Department of Environment, all businesses with turnover exceeding $5 million annually are obliged to comply with a National Environment Protection Measure relating to packaging sustainability and waste. The Australian Government partners with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), which is a not-for-profit, co-regulatory body, to assist with compliance. Businesses may comply by doing one of two things:
    • Responding to letters issued by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation and agreeing to become a signatory to the Covenant and abide by its guidelines.
    • Not respond to the letters issued by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, subsequently not becoming a signatory to the Covenant, and thus, agreeing to comply with regulations as issued by the relevant State authority (i.e. the Environmental Protection Agency or Department of Environment in any given State).
  • Whichever decision is taken depends on the operational circumstances of each individual business, which cannot be determined by the ARA. A business may elect that it is easier to become a signatory to the Covenant, or, alternatively, may elect to abide by regulations issued by the relevant State authority, whichever is most easily achievable.

What is APCO? –

APCO helps organisations to rethink their approach to packaging, to do this they focus on three key areas: design, systems and education. By working with government, industry and the community, they deliver a sustainable approach to packaging that reduces impact on the environment.

If wish to learn more about your business becoming an APCO Member, please contact mepp@packagingcovenant.org.au or visit https://www.packagingcovenant.org.au/who-we-are/who-we-are

Alternatively, you can get involved and join an APCO Working Group, the APCO Working groups are open to everyone, no need to be an APCO Member, should you wish to learn more about joining the group, please click here >> https://bit.ly/2RoL0KV