Page 21 - Packaging News Mar-Apr 2020

March-April 2020 | www.packagingnews.com.au
| TECH SPEAK 21
plastics at summit
used by government ministers and speak- ers. We welcome Prime Minister Scott Mor- rison’s announcement and the strengthen- ing of Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines, where government agencies will now consider the use of recycled con- tent wherever possible.
“As successful recipients of the Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund grant from Sustainability Victoria, we have invested in state-of-the-art machinery which will almost double our output of recycled plas- tic products, and we’re employing new staff and gearing up for increased production.
“The National Plastics Summit was a fan- tastic platform for the circular economy discussion, and while mandating mini- mum quantities for procurement would create a stronger framework to address the waste crisis, Replas is in an excellent posi- tion with leading-edge technology to sup- port the circular economy.”
...we need to develop projects that are scalable and capable of being driven to large scale and with that become economically sustainable.”
— Alan Adams (MAIP) Sealed Air
TIME FOR ACTION HAS COME
For packaging industry professional, Alan Adams, the APAC sustainability director for packaging company Sealed Air, the summit was timely and reflected an indus- try that is “moving past pledges and com- mitments to real actions”.
“I think the average Australian wants to hear that we are making real differences, real changes. This mirrors what we are hearing from our industry partners, so Sealed Air developments like recycled con- tent in mailers and courier bags, recyclable meat trays and alternatives to black pig- ments now have real traction,” he said.
“The three key themes I took away are that first, the problem is ours, we have to own it collectively and work to make real change. Second, we have to collaborate up and down the plastics lifecycle to create viable projects, and third, we need to develop projects that are scalable and capa- ble of being driven to large scale and with that become economically sustainable.
During the summit it became clear how important total alignment is, Adams told PKN. “Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a three-point plan including growing demand for recycled content through government procurement. We need materials like recycled plastic content in building materials, sound barriers and asphalt included in specifications so that procurement can act. We have work to do in getting all of society, government and busi- ness aware of and working towards the same goals,” Adams said.
From all accounts, the National Plastics Summit was a significant and timely step for all stakeholders. ■
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