Page 9 - Packaging News magazine March_April 2023

AFGC responds to plastic recycling scrutiny
AS THE MEDIA spotlight remains fixed on Australia’s recy- cling performance, Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) CEO Tanya Barden has responded, saying the low rate of plastic packaging recycling is disappointing for industry, but projections for future recycling capacity show important prog- ress is being made.
“Australia’s food and grocery industry is undertaking signifi- cant work to improve rates of recyclability and recycling on all packaging,” Barden said.
“Substantial investments have been made in rigid plas- tics recycling and on soft plastic packaging, a model for a long- term, sustainable solution has been created with the industry- led National Plastics Recycling Scheme (NPRS).”
A pending Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation report will show current and planned invest- ment will create capacity to recycle 60 per cent of plastic packaging placed on market.
“The AFGC, with the keen support of the food and gro- cery industry, is quietly going about the work of designing a scheme and working with all parts of the soft plastics supply chain to create a sustainable, real-world solution to recycling plastic waste,” Barden said.
The NPRS is currently in advanced trials of kerbside col- lection of soft plastic packaging – the system called for by lead- ing environmental and waste management bodies as the way forward for Australia. Trials are taking place in several local government areas across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
“Since work on the National Plastics Recycling Scheme began, the project has stimu- lated new commitments for investment in advanced recy- cling plants capable of turning used soft plastics back into oil, ready for manufacturing back into recycled, food-grade plastic films,” Barden said.
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