In response to a media report on Australia’s recycling performance, Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) CEO Tanya Barden stated that the low rate of plastic packaging recycling is disappointing for the industry. However, projections for future recycling capacity show important progress is being made.
“Australia’s food and grocery industry is undertaking significant work to improve rates of recyclability and recycling on all packaging,” Ms Barden said.
Barden emphasised that substantial investments had been made in rigid plastics recycling and soft plastic packaging. These investments can become a long-term, sustainable solution model created by the industry-led National Plastics Recycling Scheme (NPRS).
The media report revealed that an upcoming Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation report shows current and planned investment will create the capacity to recycle 60 per cent of plastic packaging on the market.
Barden explained that the AFGC, with the enthusiastic support of the food and grocery industry, was quietly designing a scheme and working with all parts of the soft plastics supply chain to create a sustainable, real-world solution to recycling plastic waste.
The NPRS is currently completing advanced trials of kerbside collection of soft plastic packaging, the system called for by leading environmental and waste management bodies as the way forward for Australia. Trials will occur in several local government areas across NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
The NPRS has brought together manufacturers, councils, waste collectors and processors, advanced recyclers and plastic manufacturers to map out a sustainable soft plastics supply chain. Ms Barden said the collaboration behind the NPRS, supported by the federal government’s National Product Stewardship Investment Fund, is changing Australia’s recycling landscape.
“Since work on the National Plastics Recycling Scheme began, the project has stimulated new commitments for investment in advanced recycling plants capable of turning used soft plastics back into oil, ready for manufacturing back into recycled, food-grade plastic films.”
