APCO Releases August Sustainability Webinar Topics

Subject: Recycled Content, ARL, Reusable
2 August 2020

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation has today released the August schedule for its successful Weekly Community Webinar series. The series has proved popular during lockdown conditions, with over 3,000 attendees participating so far as the sustainable packaging community bands together to stay connected during a challenging time. 


Topics for discussion in August will include the hot topic of reusable packaging in the COVID-19 world, the role of packaging in minimising food waste, a look into the work being delivered to drive greater industry demand for recycled content and a preview of APCO’s new National Consumer Education Campaign.  


Speakers for August’s webinars include Liz Kasell, Founder of RED Group, Jamie Forsyth, Founder and CEO, ReturnR, Jean Bailliard, General Manager, TerraCycle Australia and New Zealand, and Brent Vrdoljak, Senior Brand Manager, Natures Organics. 


Brooke Donnelly, APCO CEO, commented: “I want to say thank you to the sustainable packaging community, particularly our guest speakers, for helping to make the series such a success. Shifting our events program online-only certainly wasn’t part of our plans for 2020, but the way our community has joined together to keep our crucial work on track in difficult circumstances has been extremely heartening and truly underscores the determination we all share to achieve the 2025 National Packaging Targets.” 


Details on the August webinars, including links to register are available on the APCO website: www.packagingcovenant.org.au/events.  


Previous webinars are also available online: https://www.packagingcovenant.org.au


When: 5th August, 2020  

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 

Heading: Reusable packaging in the COVID-19 world  


Join the APCO team for our weekly Community Webinars to explore the sustainability topics that matter most to our network. 


This week we are looking at reusable packaging – one the most exciting areas of opportunity for packaging sustainability. In FY21, APCO will be delivering several projects to address reuse, including a Reuse Roadmap and collaborative pilot projects to implement reuse in targeted supply chains. Many APCO Members are also pioneering the way with scalable reusable packaging models in the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) space.  


Speakers joining us include Jamie Forsyth, Founder and CEO, ReturnR, Jean Bailliard, General Manager, TerraCycle Australia and New Zealand, and Brent Vrdoljak, Senior Brand Manager, Natures Organics. 


Topics for discussion include:  

  • What implication will COVID-19 hygiene precautions have for the reuse movement and how can we continue to deliver progress in this space? 
  • Insights from leading reusable packaging brands, programs and community education organisations.  
  • Challenges and opportunities for organisations looking to implement reuse models into their operations.  
  • Opportunities to get involved in APCO’s FY21 Priority Projects addressing reuse. 

When: 12th August, 2020  

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 

Heading: Preview of APCO’s new National Consumer Education Campaign  


Join the APCO team for our weekly Community Webinars to explore the sustainability topics that matter most to our network. 


This week we are introducing APCO’s new National Consumer Education Campaign. The new campaign will run from July 2020 – July 2022, with the objective of increasing the general public’s participation in sustainable and responsible behaviours in relation to packaging.  


Join APCO’s communications manager Alice Johnson for an update on the campaign including:  

  • An overview of the key educational themes being addressed in the campaign – including recycled content, reusable packaging and correct recycling behaviours.  
  • An overview of the strategic approach to the campaign – including audiences, channels and activities.  
  • The range of opportunities for all organisations to take part. 

When: 19th August, 2020  

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 

Heading: Driving demand for recycled content  


Join the APCO team for our weekly Community Webinars to explore the sustainability topics that matter most to our network. 


This week we are covering the work being delivered to drive greater industry demand and uptake of recycled content. It’s a critical area of focus for APCO and our Members in FY21 – with projects underway to address recycled content traceability, labelling and procurement.  


Join Meredith Epp, APCO’s Industry Partnership Manager and Liz Kasell, Founder of RED Group, for a look at two new projects that will be launching soon in this space.  


Topics for discussion include:  

  • Case studies from successful recycled content approaches being rolled out internationally.  
  • An overview of APCO’s new Pledge Project. 
  • An overview of RED Group’s new TRaCE circular economy program and how industry can support the 2025 recycling targets through direct involvement in circular outcomes. 

When: 26th August, 2020  

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 

Heading: The role of packaging in minimising food waste  


Join the APCO team for our weekly Community Webinars to explore the sustainability topics that matter most to our network. 


This week we are looking at the journey of food from farm to fork – and the important role packaging plays in food waste prevention. Globally, one-third of all food produced for human consumption around the world goes to waste and here in Australia the government estimates food waste costs the Australian economy $20 billion each year. As Australian businesses and communities look to phase-out single-use plastic packaging, and redesign their packaging to improve recoverability, food waste avoidance is another critical issue packaging designers must consider. 


Topics for discussion include: 


  • An update on the research and projects being delivered within the Fight Food Waste CRC – an organisation that brings together industry, research and the community to capitalise on Australia’s food waste opportunities. 
  • Training, tools and resources for businesses working to reduce food waste through packaging. 

Speakers TBC.