We're pleased to announced that the 2014/15 projects funding round has now commenced.

The funding round will focus on delivering funding to projects that will be completed by 30 June 2015, and fit into the focus areas outlined on the APC website.

The process for applying for funding will be under a request for proposal process. Find out more about the application process on the APC website.

Thank you to those signatories that submitted their annual reports this year.  Our assessors are in the final stages of providing feedback and assigning scores per KPI.  We will be releasing the remainder of the assessed reports (to those organisations that reported post-March 31) in the coming weeks.

In general there has been a noticeable improvement in the quality of information reported – great work!  If you are keen to benchmark your performance, we will be releasing a Summary Performance Report in August prior to the APC’s Annual Report released later in the year. 

Details of our highest performing signatories will be released after our awards nights in July (Melbourne – 15th, Sydney – 23rd).

Invitations are currently being sent to higher performing signatories and key supply chain partners.

The twenty-five signatories that were randomly selected for the independent verification audit for 2014 have now been notified of their responsibilities and audit requirements.

Those being audited are required to provide evidence which supports the claims made in their annual reports.  Audits are conducted by independent auditors contracted by the APC. The audits consist of a combination of desktop review and on-site verification.

If you would like to find out more about the audit process and prepare for future audits please refer to 2014 Audit Ready Guide and the Evidence Requirements for Audit Guide.

On 3 June a workshop was held in Sydney for new signatory contact officers, and those who feel they could benefit from some additional support, to give free guidance regarding how to practically apply the APC KPIs and goals, develop and implement action plans, report against these plans, and better engage others within their organisation in doing so.

The aim of the workshop was to provide a forum for signatories to network, connect and problem-solve.  The event brought together a diverse range of brand owners and packaging companies and focused heavily on sharing ideas around implementation and developing strategies to better engage stakeholders within companies regarding APC matters.

Due to the success of this workshop, we will be looking to hold further events in FY15 around the country.  We have plans to hold similar events in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide in September and Melbourne in October.

Under KPI 3 of the APC, signatories have committed to implement onsite recovery systems. The APC has partnered with the Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of NSW (WCRA) to develop a trial Waste Collection Inquiry Service for NSW-based signatories. Designed to provide organisations looking to improve and develop their existing waste collection services with a range of service provision options, the resource asks a series of questions relevant to identifying an appropriate collection service for particular types or quantities of waste. This is intended to ensure that signatories are asking the right questions and can provide appropriate information when trying to identify a contractor to manage their waste streams.

The resource can be accessed on the APC website.  For further information please contact Brett Giddings.

The APC is commissioning a major project reviewing the current methodology for the collection of packaging recycling data within Australia. Learning from best practice, the current approach and reconsidering our needs, this project will also develop a new methodology that will continue to inform government, industry and the community in packaging recycling programs.

If you are a consultant with extensive experience in statistics, the waste industry, and would like to be emailed a copy of the RFT please contact Jessica Sheehan. Due date for submission of tenders will be COB 30 June 2014.

Last week we bid farewell to Natalie Ryan, Member and Signatory Services Officer. We would like to wish Natalie all the best for her future endeavours.

We'd also like to welcome Bridget Corcoran to the team, who has taken on the role of Member and Signatory Services Officer. Bridget has a double degree in Arts and Science (Environmental Policy and Development Studies) and is excited to be part of an organisation that helps to divert waste from landfill and recover valuable resources.

APC Signatory, the Super Retail Group won the National Retailers Association Sustainability Excellence Award last week. Their commitment to the APC was also highlighted by the NRA. Super Retail Group was a high performing signatory in 2013.