Page 4 - Packaging News Jan-Feb 2020
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COMMENT EDITOR
www.packagingnews.com.au  January-February 2020
MANAGING EDITOR
Lindy Hughson
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PUBLISHER
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ISSN 0048-2676.
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In search of silver linings
OUR brand new year feels like any- thing but a fresh start. The arrival of 2020 was heralded by the havoc- wreaking fires raging across our beautiful country – spreading a pall of smoke and attendant gloom – which, in ways great and small, have impacted us all.
A few months ago in this column I wrote about climate anxiety as a recognised condition, described as a growing despair about the state of our environment and inaction on climate change. I think it would be fair to say, given the events of the past few months, and the forecast environmental challenges we face as a country, that for many Australians eco-anxiety has never been higher.
Certainly, recent polling reported in the mass media has shown a marked increase in the percentage of Australians who believe the country is facing a climate emergency and that the powers that be are not tak- ing sufficient action to reduce car- bon emissions. It’s not unique to our country, and it plays out in all sec- tors of society and the economy.
In our world of packaging, similar sentiments are being expressed. Global packaging giant Tetra Pak’s 2019 Index (see page 32) reveals that two thirds of consumers believe we have reached an environmental
tipping point. Consumers surveyed for the report hold the view that we are directly responsible for the world around us and for our own health – the latter seen as strongly affected by environmental problems.
It’s human nature that when we feel things are beyond our control, we look to what we can control, and one such thing is how we spend our money. So, it comes as no surprise that shoppers are becoming more circumspect about food products and their provenance, and about the environmental pedigree of the pack- aging that contains them.
The burden of responsibility on manufacturers today is much greater than it has ever been. Consumers ex- pect their favourite brands to align with values that resonate with their own, and take positive actions around sustainable processing and packaging choices.
Brand owners, retailers, and pack- aging suppliers are having to rethink their approaches to sustainability, and collaborate to find solutions that will not only meet consumer de- mands but also deliver sustainable business practices.
And here’s where the light starts shining through. Akin to the way we have seen Australians band together to respond to the bushfire disaster,
the packaging industry has been galvanised into action to address our sustainability challenges, transform supply chains, and meet the 2025 Na- tional Packaging Targets. As the pages in this issue will at- test, we’re seeing action from businesses, peak industry bodies, and the government.
Many of these initiatives will be discussed at the AIP’s Australasian Packaging Con- ference (1-2 April – save the date), where solutions and success stories will be shared. As media partner, PKN will be there to cover the event and find more silver linings.
Lindy Hughson Managing Editor
Consumers expect their favourite brands to align with values that resonate with their own.”


































































































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