The time for signatories to submit their APC annual reports is fast approaching, with the online reporting template available to all signatories from the first week of February.  Reports should detail the progress made towards completing the actions outlined in approved action plans, and any other relevant activities undertaken that contribute to broader product stewardship and sustainability outcomes.  Reports are due by 31 March.  Signatories that submit complete reports by this date will be the first to receive feedback and scores.

Annual reporting is central to the APC being able to demonstrate the continuous improvement of our industry signatories towards the goals of the APC.  This is fundamental to showing the APC’s success in engaging the whole packaging supply chain to design more sustainable packaging, increase recycling rates and reduce packaging litter. Reporting via the online reporting template provides the APC with accurate and controlled data to report the progress of the Covenant to broader stakeholders including government and the community.

We will also be increasing our promotion of high-performing signatories (those that obtain the highest score in their industry sector) as part of the 2014 reporting process by holding a formal awards program in mid-2014 and promoting the achievements of these organisations through various media channels.  More information regarding last year’s winners and awards program, and the APC industry categories can be found on the APC website.

This year we have developed a collection of new resources to support signatories throughout the reporting process. The resources below are designed to improve the quality and efficiency of reporting:

2014 Guide to Quality Reporting:  Describes the reporting process in detail and provides quality reporting guidance including a range of better-quality reporting examples.

Annual Report Data Collection Template:  Designed to assist signatories with the data collation required for annual reporting, this template is intended to improve efficiency, distribute accountability, and establish a sound reference for auditing purposes.

Better Reporting Examples:  A comprehensive list of example reporting responses with explanations of why they are better practice examples, described with regards to the GRI reporting principles for defining quality. 

2014 Audit Ready Guide:   Outlines what is means to be ‘audit ready’, describing the data and documentation required to demonstrate activities undertaken and an overview of the audit process.

The APC online reporting template must be used for the submission of all reports from brand owners, and can be downloaded as a PDF at any stage for internal assurance processes. The tool allows for reporting against actions aligned with the goals of the APC, as well as any additional actions you may have undertaken within the reporting period.  Once reports are accepted by the APC, and have been independently assessed for a rating out of five, they will be displayed on the APC website for public viewing. 

You should take the time to read through the resources provided. They are designed to provide information or assistance on most queries around reporting.  KPI-specific help is also included within the annual reporting tool to assist in quality reporting.

For further support in understanding what and how to report, you can contact Member Services.

If you have any queries regarding the online reporting template, you can contact Signatory Services.

As part of our commitment to reducing litter in the environment, the APC recommends that all signatories participate in a community clean-up on a regular basis.  In fact, we encourage you to clean up every day!  But if you’re waiting for a specific event, 25 February is Business Clean Up Day, run by Clean Up Australia.  This is a great opportunity for your organisation to work together while spending a couple of hours cleaning up a site of your choice.  Registering a site is easy and generates great team morale – you can do it via: http://www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/register/.

Business Clean Up Day is a great opportunity for businesses and their employees to be visible in contributing to a cleaner Australian environment. It’s also a good way to address some of your APC commitments by tackling litter in your local environment, whether or not your action plan commits you to participating – you can always report it as a bonus activity.

Just like last year, in 2014 Replas are offering recycled plastic seats to the organisations which go above and beyond.  This year’s categories:

1. The organisation that collects the largest number of full bags per participant (photographs required!)
2. The organisation with the most participants (staff or otherwise)
3. The organisation with the strangest item collected – or the best story. (The APC will decide the best story through an internal vote, and reserves the right to award multiple teams)

In the spirit of product stewardship, the winners of these seats will be encouraged to donate them to the local school, community group or sporting team of their choice.  Visit our website to see what last year’s winners, Sanitarium and Baiada, achieved.

We are also looking for an organisation we can help out on the day! If you would like the APC Team to come help clean up litter on your chosen site (in Sydney), get in touch with us as soon as possible. We’ll show up with bags and gloves, and if you’re having a BBQ, we’ll even shout the sausages (and vegetarian options).

For further information please contact Georgia Carthey.