New report outlines challenges and opportunities to improve packaging waste management in remote and regional Australia
Media release
2 December 2020
New report outlines challenges and opportunities to improve packaging waste management in remote and regional Australia
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has today published ‘Packaging waste collection and processing options in remote and regional areas’, a new report exploring the challenges faced in managing packaging and plastic waste in remote and regional areas of Australia.
The report examines the waste management facilities available in areas outside of Australia’s major cities, home to approximately 28.7% of the population. These regions comprise a diverse range of environments, ranging from very remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory to islands in Queensland.
Drawing on consultation with a wide range of people about their experiences, challenges, priorities and ideas, the paper lists for the first time the existing programs, technologies and pilot projects currently being implemented to collect, transport and process packaging and plastic waste in remote and regional areas. These include actions by all levels of government, product stewardship schemes, and community organisations.
The paper also explores some of the unique challenges that communities in these regions experience, and identifies 22 opportunities for improvement across capability development, waste collection, transportation, recycling and end markets.
Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, Trevor Evans MP, said: "Providing better access to waste collection and recycling services for the almost 2.5 million people who live in the outer regional, remote and very remote areas is a priority for the Australian Government. I am delighted that as part of its work, APCO has produced this report which identifies specific opportunities to improve how packaging waste is managed and recycled in remote and regional areas. This report is the first step in understanding how we can build partnerships with multiple stakeholders to improve waste collection and recycling services in regional and remote areas. The report will be key to informing future solutions and investments”.
Brooke Donnelly, CEO, APCO commented: “Whether it’s the tyranny of distance or building economies of scale, product stewardship in Australia’s remote and regional communities is a complex topic that contains a number of unique challenges. Wherever you live in this big, beautiful land, every Australian should have the right to the same services and expect the same level of consideration and assistance to access those services.
“Collaboration is critical to managing the waste stream in remote and regional communities. The aim of this report is to really kick-start that process, helping to bridge the knowledge and skill sharing between different communities so professionals across the country can learn from each other and help to bring equity in this space to all Australians”.
‘Packaging waste collection and processing options in remote and regional areas’ is part of the program of work APCO is delivering in partnership with government to meet the 2025 National Packaging Targets and to deliver on the commitments outlined in the National Waste Policy Action Plan.
Download ‘Packaging waste collection and processing options in remote and regional areas’ here.
-ENDS –
About APCO (www.apco.org.au)
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. APCO works with governments, businesses and other organisations from across Australia’s large and complex packaging value chain to develop the insights, resources and programs that are needed to build a sustainable national packaging ecosystem. In 2018, APCO was endorsed by government to lead the delivery of Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets and ensure all packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. To achieve this goal, APCO is working closely with government and industry to deliver a range of sustainable design, recycling, waste to landfill reduction and circular economy projects. Recognised as one of Australia’s leading product stewardship organisations with a strong national and global collaborative network, APCO is committed to reducing the environmental impact of packaging on Australian communities by moving towards a circular economy.
About the 2025 National Packaging Targets.
The 2025 Targets were launched by government and industry in 2018, providing a clear mandate to deliver a new sustainable pathway for packaging in Australia. The four targets, to be achieved by 2025, are:
- 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging
- 70% of plastic packaging being recycled or composted
- 50% of average recycled content included in packaging
- The phase out of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastics packaging.