Australian Packaging Covenant

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) works with government and businesses to reduce the environmental impact of packaging in Australia.

A co-regulatory arrangement establishes APCO and the obligations for businesses to manage their packaging waste in a sustainable way. It embodies an industry-driven product stewardship approach.

By becoming a member of APCO, businesses receive guidance on how to improve the sustainability of their packaging. They also agree to shared commitments and responsibilities to reduce the environmental impact of their packaging.

APCO has over 1,500 Australian business members from across the packaging supply chain, ranging from large multinational corporations to small local businesses.

Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets

In 2018 Australia established the ambitious 2025 National Packaging Targets. The Targets create a new sustainable pathway for the way we manage packaging in Australia.

The four Targets are:

• 100% of packaging being reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025
• 70% of plastic packaging being recycled or composted by 2025
• 50% of average recycled content included in packaging by 2025
• The phase out of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging by 2025.

The National Packaging Targets apply to all packaging that is made, used and sold in Australia. APCO is charged with delivering the industry-led targets.

Good progress is being made against the Targets. Yet, more work is required to ensure they are delivered in full by 2025. Targets requiring attention by industry include:

• increasing the volume of plastic packaging being recycled
• increasing the amount of recycled content in plastic packaging.

To drive further industry action APCO has set a new recycled content target for plastic packaging (20%). APCO has also set material specific targets for recycled content in plastic packaging made from:

• polyethylene (PET) (30%)
• high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (20%)
• polypropylene (PP) (20%).

Governments and APCO are working together to actively track and review industry’s progress towards the Targets.  

Review of the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (NEPM)

Australian governments have commissioned an independent review of the NEPM and Covenant. The review will ensure the co-regulatory arrangement effectively supports the goals to reduce packaging waste and increase recycling. In particular, the review will consider the role of government in enforcing the NEPM.

Improving compliance with the NEPM not only protects the environment, but also guarantees a level playing field by protecting businesses in the packaging supply chain that are doing the right thing by meeting their obligations.