Australia's packaging recycling rate falls

The recycling rate for post-consumer packaging in Australia has fallen by 2.9% to 61.3% for 2014–15, according to the Australian Packaging Covenant (APC).

Total consumption for all packaging materials for the year was 4.74 Mt — a rise of 169.2 kt, or 3.7%, on the prior year. Recovery and recycling was at 2.91 Mt — a decrease of 29 kt or 1% over the same period.

The recycling rate for glass was particularly weak, falling by 6% to 41.4% in the year. This put downward pressure on the overall materials percentage recycled, according to the APC.

Meanwhile, significant volumes of packaged beverages and food continued to be imported. Imports of empty packaging, in particular, are growing — glass being the most notable in this respect.

The APC noted that fluctuations occur year-on-year, due to recovered vs re-used volumes, and that trends over the last 12 years have been positive. Over the long term, kerbside collection systems and collaborative product stewardship actions have contributed to the improvement in the recycling rate from the 39% baseline established in 2003.