Feedback sought on product stewardship scheme design

Last month APCO hosted the Collective Impact Summit to present the findings from the Collective Impact Report which measured the progress towards achieving the 2025 National Packaging Targets.

The report found that in 2019-20 all plastic packaging had an estimated recovery rate of around 16% (Figure 1) and rigid polypropylene had a recovery rate of 13% (Figure 2). Much work is needed to achieve the target for 70% of plant packaging being recycled or composted. This presents an opportunity for Australia’s greenlife industry, through a plant packaging stewardship program, to significantly contribute to the target.

Importantly, the ANZPAC team together with Greenlife Industry Australia continue to progress through Stage 2 of the Polypropylene Plant Packaging Recycling (PoPPr) Program to design and evaluate a plant packaging product stewardship scheme. 

During the year, the project has met important milestones including the articulation of a clear business case for a voluntary, industry-led scheme; the launch of a pilot program in NSW to inform the design of a scheme; and continuing the conversation with a supportive key stakeholder base to progress the scheme design for an effective and efficient plant packaging product stewardship scheme.  

In the next quarter, ANZPAC will consider the results from the pilot program, where lessons will be incorporated into the scheme design.  Additionally, there will be a strong focus on continuing broad industry consultation to progress the scheme design. 

On Wednesday 19 January 2021, the next Sustainable Packaging in Horticulture Working Group session will be held were interested stakeholders are invited to join Greenlife Industry Australia and APCO to provide feedback on proposed elements for an industry-endorsed scheme design. 

Additionally, APCO is requesting that anyone interested in hearing about consultation opportunities and scheme updates subscribe to the PoPPr Program communications list.  Subscribers to this list will only receive information about sustainable packaging in horticulture, including progress on the PoPPr project.

If you are interested in receiving more information on the NSW pilot program or if you would like more information, Scheme Administrator Kobie Keenan would love to hear from you, kkeenan@apco.org.au.

Your feedback is welcomed at next SPiH Working Group session

Industry participants from manufacturing, plant packaging importers, plant production and retail, are encouraged to attend the next Sustainable Packaging in Horticulture (SPiH) Working Group session to receive an update and provide feedback on the PoPPr scheme design.

Date: Wednesday 19 January 2021
Time: 10.30am (EDST)

Registration: To join the session, please register via Eventbrite. Connection details will be provided upon registration, including a calendar entry for your diaries. You can also access previous session slide decks and summary reports via links on the registration page.