Industry and Government launch new monitoring program to track progress towards 2025

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) have this week, released a program mapping out the framework to measure Australia's progress towards the 2025 National Packaging Targets.

Announced online at the AIP Australasian Packaging Conference, the program highlights the seven strategic intervention points deemed essential to manage and ensure the successful delivery of the 2025 targets.

“The new monitoring program has been welcomed by representatives from across the packaging value chain, including major brands, retailers and business associations, the waste and recycling industry, and the environmental community” said CEO of APCO, Brooke Donnelly.

Brooke also spoke on how the program will provide insight into how well the country is progressing towards achieving the 2025 targets at regular intervals, making sure change is sufficient to achieve critical milestones.

“The program also highlights early intervention points to enable the system to pivot to alternative approaches if required to ensure successful outcomes.”

Chief Sustainabilty and Communications Officer of SUEZ Australia and New Zealand, Justin Frank spoke on the program. ““The old adage of ‘what gets measured, gets managed’ could not be more apt. Monitoring data and turning it into information and insights, is critical to make informed decisions on where interventions are needed to drive forward more circular economy focused outcomes including; eliminating single use plastic, recovering more recycled materials, reusing those recycled materials and importantly stimulating those domestic offtake markets.”

Margaret Stuart, Head of Corporate and External Affairs at Nestle Oceania, noted how critical it was as the industry move forward, that all those involved throughout the packaging value chain understand what needs to be done and work together. “The monitoring program gives a useful framework to help everyone understand both the progress that is being made, and where we might need to change our direction. This will help us meet the 2025 National Packaging Targets.”

Both Lok-Man Shu, Group Environment Manager of David Jones and Country Road Group, and Phil Preston, Group Chair of Collective Action, commented on the involvement of several stakeholders.

“Whilst individual signatories will continue to contribute towards the National Packaging Targets, the monitoring program will provide industry and Government insights into our overall progress and most importantly, support strategic intervention to help signatories deliver on the 2025 targets as a collective”, said Shu.

“To have so many stakeholders in a project is challenging and therefore a transparent and effective monitoring process reduces delivery risk. The framework ensures we have this clear view and that we can proactively make adjustments if or when they are needed.”

CEO of Planet Ark, Paul Klymenko also spoke on the program and what it meant for stakeholders. “Having the monitoring program provide transparent evidence-based reporting regularly will build confidence amongst all stakeholders, most importantly consumers. This will encourage them to play their vital role in the recycling process and drive positive environmental outcomes for all.”

You can read the 2025 National Packaging Targets Monitoring Program document here.

APCO are a supporting partner and will be presenting at the AWRE Online Event, running from 25-26 November 2020. Don’t miss out on their session ‘Food Waste and Compostable Guidelines’. View the program here, and register free online today.