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Packaging .... Packaging reforms and targets
APCO Packaging targets.
There are Australian National Packaging Targets to deliver a new and sustainable approach to packaging.
The targets which are endorsed by governments, state environment ministers and the food industry. The targets and changes apply to all food packaging that is made, used and sold in Australia.
Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is the organisation charged by government to facilitate the delivery of the 2025 Targets (aiming to be achieved by 31 December 2025).
Be aware of the likelihood that these targets will become mandatory and regulated.
Australian Packaging Covenant Targets
Australia has set 4 national targets to make packaging more sustainable by 2025:
Action for sustainable packaging.
Several states and territories have already passed or are developing legislation that will ban some of the problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging items identified by APCO for phase-out. Australian Marine Conservation organisation has a handy matrix detailing the planned product bans state by state.
State by State targets and progresss can be found here .
States may impose penalties and significant fines relating to the sale and supply of banned single-use plastic items.
In some cases exemptions are possible for reasons where plastic products are required for medical, health, hygiene and other reasons.
PFAS in packaging?
There are increasing requirements and food safety schemes rejecting PFAS in food packaging. (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS have been used for numerous purposes including heat resistance, water repellency, and oil / stain resistance in the food packaging industry for many years. PFAS to have a number of concerning characteristics such as a strong resistance to breaking down over time, bioaccumulation in organisms, potential carcinogenicity, and endocrine disruption. There are moves overseas and in international standards to ban food packaging that has these chemicals in them. such as plastic lined, slippery papers" and some thermal packaging.
Options for packaging?
Businesses need to actively consider moving to non plastic and reusable containers.
There are some alternative single-use disposable options such as (but not limited to) paper, cardboard, sugarcane, bagasse, aluminium foil, wood, and bamboo and compostable products that meet the Australian Standard 4736-2006 or 5810-2010.
Further Information
Further information is available about the Australian Packaging Covenant from APCO
Single Use Plastic Ban WA
Correct Food Systems can assist you with planning for these changes and advise you how to move towards compliance with plastic product bans as Australia moves forward to support this sustainability initiative.
The targets which are endorsed by governments, state environment ministers and the food industry. The targets and changes apply to all food packaging that is made, used and sold in Australia.
Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is the organisation charged by government to facilitate the delivery of the 2025 Targets (aiming to be achieved by 31 December 2025).
Be aware of the likelihood that these targets will become mandatory and regulated.
Australian Packaging Covenant Targets
Australia has set 4 national targets to make packaging more sustainable by 2025:
- 100% of packaging being reusable, recyclable, or compostable
- 70% of plastic packaging being recycles or composted
- 50% of average recycled content in packaging
- Phasing out of single use packaging
Action for sustainable packaging.
Several states and territories have already passed or are developing legislation that will ban some of the problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging items identified by APCO for phase-out. Australian Marine Conservation organisation has a handy matrix detailing the planned product bans state by state.
State by State targets and progresss can be found here .
States may impose penalties and significant fines relating to the sale and supply of banned single-use plastic items.
In some cases exemptions are possible for reasons where plastic products are required for medical, health, hygiene and other reasons.
PFAS in packaging?
There are increasing requirements and food safety schemes rejecting PFAS in food packaging. (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS have been used for numerous purposes including heat resistance, water repellency, and oil / stain resistance in the food packaging industry for many years. PFAS to have a number of concerning characteristics such as a strong resistance to breaking down over time, bioaccumulation in organisms, potential carcinogenicity, and endocrine disruption. There are moves overseas and in international standards to ban food packaging that has these chemicals in them. such as plastic lined, slippery papers" and some thermal packaging.
Options for packaging?
Businesses need to actively consider moving to non plastic and reusable containers.
There are some alternative single-use disposable options such as (but not limited to) paper, cardboard, sugarcane, bagasse, aluminium foil, wood, and bamboo and compostable products that meet the Australian Standard 4736-2006 or 5810-2010.
Further Information
Further information is available about the Australian Packaging Covenant from APCO
Single Use Plastic Ban WA
Correct Food Systems can assist you with planning for these changes and advise you how to move towards compliance with plastic product bans as Australia moves forward to support this sustainability initiative.
