Thousands of Australian businesses from a wide range of sectors will this week be notified to meet their sustainable packaging obligations outlined in the National Environmental Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (NEPM).
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) – the organisation charged by Government to make all packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 – is this week conducting an audit of Australian businesses that are failing to meet their sustainable packaging obligations.
The audit will cover several thousand businesses with $5m+ turnover, with a strong focus on Packaging manufacturers.
APCO is currently developing a national roadmap for how Australia can deliver on the 2025 target, and the current Brand Audit represents one of its core initiatives designed to ensure businesses of all sizes are meeting their sustainable packaging obligations.
APCO CEO Brooke Donnelly said businesses liable under the NEPM include any organisation with an annual turnover of $5 million or more, that is either in the supply chain of consumer packaging or a retailer that is a manufacturer, wholesaler or importer, or offers its branded products to consumers.
“Reaching the landmark target set by Environment Ministers will require a complete transformation of the way our society thinks about packaging – recognising it as a valuable resource and not just waste that is destined for landfill. We know we can do it, but we can’t do it alone. Businesses play a crucial role in making this target a reality,” Ms Donnelly stated.
“There are a number of basic packaging requirements that all Australian businesses are required to meet – and these are outlined in the National Environmental Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (NEPM).”
“One of our responsibilities is to notify the businesses who aren’t meeting these basic obligations and provide them with the tools, resources and pathways to track and improve their packaging sustainability.”
APCO will also next week begin a two-month consultation process with APCO Members and key stakeholders to better understand what industry requires to bring the target to life.
“The consultation will include a review of other proposed targets, and the role and function of the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPGs) and other APCO tools in supporting the 2025 target,” the organisation said in a statement.
“In July APCO will be hosting Q&A sessions in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne to provide business owners an opportunity to ask questions about the 2025 target.
