Ministers support industry waste partnership

A communiqué by Australia’s Environment Ministers outlining a comprehensive long-term national waste strategy has been welcomed by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC).

The Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) strategy welcomes the support and leadership of industry in reducing packaging waste and improving recycling rates across the nation.

Under the new National Waste Policy, Environment Ministers supported a strengthened industry and government partnership, called the Australian Packaging Covenant, that will have a greater focus on packaging design, workplace and public-place recycling and litter reduction programs.

The current successful industry and government partnership, which has been operating for the past 10 years, has seen Australia’s packaging recycling rates rise from below 40% to almost 60% over the past five years.

AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell welcomed the strengthened covenant and said industry was looking forward to continuing to work with government on its commitment to recycling programs, especially on away-from-home recycling facilities.

“Industry welcomes this strong support; however, we recognise that we have a greater role to play to improve sustainable packaging, reducing litter and increasing recycling,” Carnell said.

Carnell said industry was committed to responding to community calls for more recycling options in places like sporting venues, airports and food courts, which would now be achievable following the support of government to commit to the existing partnership approach.

The covenant is made up of a range of more than 700 signatories, representing industry, governments, retailers, brand owners and community groups across Australia. It is a unique, collaborative agreement between all these stakeholders to minimise the environmental impacts of packaging, through better design and recycling.