APCO Cuts The Red Tape For SMEs Completing Annual Reporting With an 80% Reduction in Completion Time

27 August 2021

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is pleased to announce the introduction of a streamlined reporting process for small-to-medium-enterprises (SMEs). This new process, the SME Report, reduces the reporting workload and supports SMEs on their sustainable packaging journey. 

The APCO Annual Reporting process provides a consistent and transparent pathway for APCO Brand Owner Members to assess and track packaging sustainability over time. The SME Report, accessible to APCO’s SME Members, will allow SMEs to report on their sustainability progress as efficiently as possible. 

The recent updates to the Packaging Sustainability Framework and APCO Members’ reporting requirements, which come into effect for the 2022 Reporting Round, not only benefits SMEs, but organisations of all sizes. APCO has streamlined its entire annual reporting process, making it easier and more efficient for existing and new APCO Members to complete.  

According to COSBOA, the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, many small businesses do not have the time, resources and expertise to be across the myriad of legislative and regulatory change that affects them on an ongoing basis. Small business owners, who often must carry out a variety of tasks ranging from sustainability to human resources, face significant time constraints and reporting can be a significant burden on time.  

Brooke Donnelly, CEO of APCO said: “The average small business owner has a lot on their plate so it is critical that we support them however we can. We know time is such a valuable resource for them, which was a key driver for us in streamlining the reporting process. SMEs can now more easily fulfill their responsibility for managing their packaging waste, while continuing to identify ways to improve their overall approach to managing it in a way that brings value to their business as well as the environment.”

When businesses get sustainable packaging right their customers take notice, and it quickly sets them apart from their competitors. This has been the case for APCO Member, KeepCup, who are known for their sustainability ethos and are empowering others to put it on their agenda.  

Abigail Forsyth, Co-Founder and Managing Director, KeepCup, said: “The journey to reduce impact is without end. Technology changes, processes improve, and new materials become available. And most importantly customers are demanding change. Wise businesses are putting sustainability and the circular economy at the centre of their commercial strategy.” 

Other SMEs, like Sancell, are acutely aware of the impact its products can have on the environment. As one of Australia’s leading plastics manufactures, waste reduction and waste minimisation is always at the fore of Sancell’s manufacturing and product development processes. 

Doug Parkinson, CEO of Sancell, shares some insights for SMEs starting on their sustainable packaging journey: “Ensure that what you are changing to is authentic, fit-for-purpose and achieves real and measurable benefits for the environment. And, most importantly, avoid the greenwash.” 

With more than 1,500 Australian businesses already part of the APCO community, Membership provides organisations with support to improve their business performance through driving packaging sustainability to achieve Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets. 

To become an APCO Member, head to the APCO website or for further information please contact the APCO Team at apco@apco.org.au. 

ENDS 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

MEDIA CONTACT 

Renee Singh | 0420 421 676 

ABOUT APCO  

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a co-regulatory organisation that supports the ambition of consumers, industry and government to build a sustainable national packaging ecosystem. With more than 1,500 Australian businesses already part of the APCO community, membership provides organisations with support to meet their compliance obligations and helps them to improve their business performance through driving packaging sustainability to achieve Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets. APCO is committed to reducing the environmental impact of packaging on Australian communities by moving towards a circular economy. 

For more information about APCO visit: www.apco.org.au.