Page 11 - Packaging New magazine Jan-Feb 2023

All of our members are going through significant changes as a result of Covid-19, and I can say from many observations, that those businesses that were agile, who embraced technology when resources were limited from a manufacturing point of view, who focused on automation and tech- nology to assist their people, those were the businesses that didn’t flounder.
Covid has certainly accelerated digital transformation, and, in my opinion, that will very much con- tinue in 2023.
plastics by recyclers, the packaging supply chain, and gov- ernments. We estimate there will be sufficient reprocessing capac- ity to recover upwards of 60 per cent of plastic packaging within Australia by 2025. Work is now needed to increase collection pathways and sortation capabili- ties for HDPE, LDPE and PP.
The biggest opportunities are in improved collection and sort- ing for plastics, glass and paper. New and expanded facilities for reprocessing plastics will need more baled PET, HDPE, LDPE, and PP. The two glass packaging manufacturers have ambitious targets that require greater quan- tities of clean, sorted cullet. This demand can be met by:
• finding the most effective and
efficient collection pathways for large-scale collection of flexible plastics from households
• increased collection and recy- cling of business-to-business packaging, including cardboard and LDPE wrap
• reduction of waste through increased utilisation of reuse systems, particularly business- to-business systems
and trials are happening so it will be exciting to see what 2023 brings in this area.
The opportunity for 2023 is continued collaboration across the entire value chain from materials through to waste and recycling. The industry needs to work together to be able to meet the 2025 National Packaging Targets and also the 2030 National Food Waste Targets and everyone has a role to play. (Read more from Kelton on food waste in Australia in Tech Speak on page 12-13).
NERIDA KELTON,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF PACKAGING
CHRIS FOLEY,
With all areas of the industry actively working towards meeting the 2025 National Packaging Targets, I have no
doubt that 2023 will see more advancements in packaging materi- als and formats that shift the dial even closer towards designing out waste, phasing out problematic
PIERRE PIENAAR,
CEO, AUSTRALIAN PACKAGING COVENANT ORGANISATION (APCO)
PRESIDENT, WORLD PACKAGING ORGANISATION
What are the most significant challenges fac- ing Australian waste manage- ment providers and policy mak-
ers in 2023? The low recycling rate for plastic packaging, particu- larly flexible plastics, is a major, system-wide challenge. There are positive signs. The amount of plas- tic packaging recycled is increasing year-on-year, showing that the capacity of the system is increasing. Industry is focusing effort on flexible plastics collec- tion and recycling, with strong community engagement.
APCO’s members are reporting considerable latent demand for recycled content, and we are see- ing unprecedented investment in reprocessing for post-consumer
The challenge will continue to be how we can move the dial fast enough for some of the more difficult to recycle materials.
NERIDA KELTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AIP
The biggest chal- lenge is to get the message is getting across to the world so that we all under- stand that we
only have one planet Earth. Once we have achieved the clear mes- sage, then to find a compromise between designing sustainable packaging that fits the circular economy guidelines (in terms of packaging materials type, weight, carbon footprint, mono material, 4Rs...) and at the same time to pro- tect and extend the shelf life of food products.
The biggest opportunity for Australia lies in implementing new technology for using recycled content in the food packaging, while globally it is implementing Extended Producer Responsibility programs in more developing countries. ■
• supporting households and businesses to improve source separation and use of collec- tion pathways
• investing in additional facilities to sort plastic packaging.
• expansion and alignment across CDS programs on accepted materials
materials and offering the lowest environmental impacts.
The challenge will continue to be how we can move the dial fast enough for some of the more dif- ficult to recycle materials. The technologies and solutions are just around the corner, infrastructure is being built, funding is occurring
WWW.PACKAGINGNEWS.COM.AU
JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2023 ❙ 11
INDUSTRY INSIGHT