Page 44 - Packaging News magazine November-December 2022

CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Genfac fi st to emboss ARL on PP containers
In an Australian first, plastic food packaging manufacturer Genfac Plastics has become the inaugural APCO signatory to gain approval to emboss the ARL on its take-away food packaging range. Colleen Bate reports.
GENFAC SAYS THE inclusion of the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) is a key step in driving its desire to see increasing quanti- ties of polypropylene collected and recycled for retention in the produc- tive economy. The logo, which will be prominently embossed on the side of the containers, starting with its popular G750 take-away container, will make it easy for consumers to understand recy- cling information and make the right choices at the point of disposal, the company says.
Commenting on Genfac’s initiative, Chris Foley, CEO of Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), says, “It is exciting to see Genfac’s continued industry leadership and commitment to the ARL Program. Ensuring consumers have clear, consistent and correct infor- mation to make the right choices when disposing of packaging is critical for effec- tive behaviour change. APCO members continue to prioritise a circular approach to packaging and the inclusion of the first embossed ARL is a signifier of the impor- tance of the program.”
As an active member of APCO, Genfac says it is invested in the broader indus- try’s vision to “collaborate to keep packaging materials out of landfill and retain the maximum value of the mate- rials, energy and labour within the local economy”. To deliver on this, Genfac
takes a life-cycle approach to embedding sustainability and effective stewardship into its everyday business.
The embossed ARL will help consum- ers to understand recycling information and make the right choices at the point of disposal, says Genfac.
Cameron Tu, managing director at Genfac Plastics, says, “While we con- stantly strive to be the best and most reliable supplier of food packaging products that meet the needs of our cus- tomers, we are also constantly looking to demonstrate leadership. To that end, being a responsible corporate citizen that entrenches the philosophy of the triple bottom line is important to us and as a company we are investing heavily to meet the challenges of the future.
“Australia’s Waste Policy Action Plan sets a target of 80 per cent average recovery rate from all waste streams by 2030, and to significantly increase the use of recycled content in the prod- ucts we produce.”
“At Genfac we are very conscious of these national targets and the role we play to bring them to fruition. Our prod- ucts are therefore made from a highly recyclable, food grade virgin grade poly- propylene material which has a high post-consumer value if it is disposed of and recycled correctly,” says Jan van de Graaff, sustainability and product stew- ardship advisor at Genfac.
Ensuring consumers have clear, consistent and correct information to make the right choices when disposing of packaging is critical for effective behaviour change.”
Above: The logo will be prominently embossed on the side of the containers, starting with Genfac’s G750 take-away container.
Below: Genfac says the inclusion of the ARL will enable increased quantities of polypropylene to be collected and recycled for retention in the productive economy.
“Post-consumer polypropylene con- tainers are often captured by recycling facilities already given their value as a source for recyclate material for the manufacture of new products, including flower pots, furniture and other house- hold items. Polypropylene as a material can be constantly recycled and fits in well to the circular economy approach.”
Genfac has recently been working closely with its key supply chain partners Viva Energy and Martogg Plastic Recycling to investigate how it can further improve economic circularly and viably incorpo- rate recovered polypropylene recyclate into its existing product range.
“Viva Energy Polymers was delighted to carry out the initial proof of concept for the embossed ARL logo at our mar- ket development laboratory. We are now excited to see Genfac launch the first application of this in the market, which will deliver better recycling outcomes for these containers,” said Robert Moran, product development and sustainabil- ity lead for Viva Energy Polymers.
Australian-owned Genfac Plastics has been manufacturing plastic food pack- aging for 35 years at its facility on the outskirts of Melbourne. ■
44 ❙ NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2022
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