| Issue #6 |

Welcome to the AFGC newsletter for the National Plastics Recycling Scheme (NPRS) project, the soft plastic packaging recycling scheme developed and led by Australia’s food and grocery manufacturing industry.

This edition includes an update on recent media coverage of the NPRS, a summary of APCO’s recent National Packaging Targets report and promising findings in a new white paper from processing partner Qenos.

Extensive media coverage of NPRS trial survey results

The NPRS received widespread positive media coverage following an April 19 AFGC media release detailing some of the findings from phase one of the soft plastics kerbside collection trials.

A report on the NPRS trials appeared on 7 News bulletins in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide  

Preliminary data from a survey of residents participating in trials indicates people who had not used the now-defunct REDcycle store drop-off scheme have started recycling household soft plastics via kerbside collection. The survey, which attracted more than 1,000 responses, also indicated the NPRS model of putting soft plastics in a specially supplied bag and placing it in the household recycling bin is the overwhelming favourite for an ongoing soft plastics recycling scheme. 

Media interest in the NPRS was strong, with stories appearing on more than 60 outlets including 7 News, ABC News, News.com.au, ABC Radio and numerous industry publications. The public interest in and support for a viable replacement for the collapsed REDcycle scheme emphasises the need for comprehensive industry involvement in the NPRS.

AFGC member companies interested in becoming Foundation Supporters of the NPRS, and non-AFGC members wishing to learn more about the scheme, can contact our team at nprs@afgc.org.au. 

[ Latest developments ]

APCO NPTs report

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), released its Review of the 2025 National Packaging Targets on April 20. The report found that in 2020-21 the recovery rate for plastic packaging was 18 percent – little changed from 16 percent in 2019-20 and still well below the National Packaging Targets benchmark of 70 percent by 2025. Recovery for rigid plastics was 26 percent while soft plastics recovery was 7 percent. While APCO supported a stronger co-regulatory framework which strikes a balance between industry-led action and effective government regulation, APCO CEO Chris Foley noted “fantastic contributions from many businesses” and considerable action that supports the transition to a circular economy for packaging. 

APCO’s report makes four key findings:  

1. The 2025 Targets are driving a transformation in packaging in Australia but on present performance they will not be met by 2025. 

2. Longer-term vision is needed to guide action. 

3. Collaboration is needed across the entire packaging system. 

4. Strong and coordinated interventions are needed on essential packaging material streams.

Industry outreach

With Phase One of the NPRS trials concluded and data now being collated, the scheme is in an important development phase that requires broad support beyond the food and grocery manufacturing industry. AFGC CEO Tanya Barden and Director, Sustainability Barry Cosier are continuing meetings with retailers and industry groups to encourage broader participation in the NPRS.

Expanded support team for NPRS media and communications

To support our media, member engagement and publicity work on the NPRS, the AFGC has brought on board agency Thrive PR + Communications. Thrive will be working with the AFGC’s Government and Media Relations team to provide expert advice on media and communications strategy, support outreach to industry and develop collateral to assist AFGC members to promote the scheme and their involvement.

Rising global capacity of advanced recycling 

Plastics manufacturer and advanced recycling partner of the NPRS, Qenos, has released a whitepaper examining the expected increase in global advanced recycling capacity and the conclusions are compelling. The paper, by Qenos circular and renewable plastics manager Dr Jeroen Wassenaar, finds global production of circular polyethylene and polypropylene through advanced recycling is expected to increase significantly between 2023 and 2026.  

The paper states: “While global capacity is estimated at just over 100,000 tonnes per annum today, announcements from technology providers and petrochemical manufacturers suggest that capacity is expected to ramp up to 1.4 million tonnes in 2026. Growth will occur in regions that have a well-developed policy supporting the circular economy, a well-regulated waste management sector and existing virgin polyolefin manufacturing infrastructure.” Even with this growth it is expected to be more than a decade before the supply of recycled content will begin to approach latent demand, Dr Wassennaar concludes.

Read the whitepaper >>

Welcome to our new Foundation Supporters 

There are now 24 AFGC member companies that have signed on as NPRS Foundation Supporters and more members are joining. If you would like to find out more and you are an AFGC member, check the NPRS Frequently Asked Questions in the AFGC Member Centre. An AFGC member or not, please contact the AFGC at  NPRS@afgc.org.au with any questions and the NPRS team will get back to you. 

New resources on the AFGC NPRS website for trial partners

The AFGC’s dedicated NPRS webpage now features new resources for trial partners. An image gallery, social media tile and media release catalogue have been created and will be progressively expanded to provide a bank of materials for NPRS partner organisations to use when promoting their involvement in this important venture. 

As always there are links and more information about our NPRS Foundation Supporters and processing partners. If you would like any more information on any NPRS-related issue please send an email with your request to nprs@afgc.org.au. 

Get involved...
For more information about the NPRS project, webinars or to get involved in the scheme development visit the AFGC NPRS project page or email us via nprs@afgc.org.au.
 

– With thanks to our foundation supporters –

And our processing partner