The Advancing Plastics Recycling in Australia (APRA) Project
Tuesday 23 September 2025
Australia’s leading recyclers, resource recovery companies and brand owners placing packaging on market have joined forces to commission an evidence-based analysis demonstrating the urgent need for packaging reform and the economic, environmental and social benefits of using Australian recycled plastic in packaging.
Led by the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), the Advancing Plastics Recycling in Australia (APRA) Project aims to inform Australia’s governments how to support and strengthen domestic recycling and manufacturing capability, create resilient markets, reduce reliance on virgin and cheap imported plastics, and support national efforts to manage plastic waste responsibly. Achieving this has the potential to enhance domestic manufacturing while improving circularity in Australia’s economy.
Central to the project is quantifying the environmental and economic benefits of a strong Australian plastic recycling industry and incentivising the use of domestic recycled content in the Federal Government’s planned National Packaging Laws.
“Packaging reform is long overdue and the stakes are high,” said Suzanne Toumbourou, CEO of ACOR. “Without strong domestic markets for locally recycled plastic, Australia risks repeating Europe’s experience, where falling demand and cheap imports have forced plant closures and left recycling capacity stranded.
“With a ban on the export of plastic waste, and significant investment in recycling infrastructure through the government’s Recycling Modernisation Fund, Australia must now ensure that locally recycled plastics can compete with virgin and cheap imported material.
“The APRA Project will measure the real benefits of using Australian-made recycled plastic in packaging and show how it can be a win for jobs, the environment and the economy overall.”
APCO CEO Chris Foley said building strong, lasting demand for Australian recycled plastic packaging is essential to achieving national packaging targets and circular outcomes for these valuable resources.
“By quantifying the economic and environmental value of Australian plastic recycling, this project can provide the evidence backbone for policy and investment decisions that deliver stronger domestic markets and support much-needed national regulation of packaging.”
Strategic consultancy firm Rennie Advisory has been commissioned to undertake the APRA Project and will deliver the findings later this year. The Project will support government and industry decision-making, including upcoming national packaging reform processes and investment frameworks aimed at reducing plastic waste and enhancing domestic recycling capability.
Media contacts:
Suzanne Toumbourou, ACOR CEO | 0423 407 467 | ceo@acor.org.au
Chris Foley, APCO CEO | cfoley@apco.org.au
About ACOR:
The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) is the preeminent industry forum for resource recovery, recycling and remanufacturing, leading the transition to circular economy in Australia. ACOR represents a growing industry that contributes almost $19 billion in economic value, generating broad social and environmental benefits. Our sector collects, sorts and reprocesses material, and makes new products with recycled content, creating more jobs for Australians. acor.org.au
About APCO:
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is the entity in charge of managing and administering the Australian Packaging Covenant (the Covenant), which is a national regulatory framework under the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (NEPM). This framework defines the collective responsibility shared by governments and businesses across Australia in managing the environmental impact of packaging. This pivotal role bridges industry participants along the packaging supply chain with Commonwealth, state, and territory governments, endorsed by environment ministers. apco.org.au
About Rennie Advisory:
Rennie Advisory is an Australian strategy and advisory firm that helps governments, corporations, and investors navigate complex challenges in areas such as the energy transition, decarbonisation and social change. The firm combines deep sector-specific expertise with data-driven insights to support informed decision-making and long-term value creation, offering services including economics, policy reform, strategy, capital advisory, and business advisory. www.rennieadvisory.com.au