ACOR, APCO build the case for Australian recycling plastics

Industry leaders, recyclers, and brand owners are launching an evidence-based analysis to show that a shift to using Australian-made recycled plastic is an environmental and economic win.

Led by the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), the Advancing Plastics Recycling in Australia (APRA) Project aims to provide the critical data needed to shape national policy and close the loop on plastic waste.

It will inform Australia’s governments how to support and strengthen domestic recycling and manufacturing capability, create resilient markets, reduce reliance on virgin and cheap imported plastics, and support national efforts to manage plastic waste responsibly.

Central to the project is quantifying the environmental and economic benefits of a strong Australian plastic recycling industry and incentivising the use of domestic recycled content in the Federal Government’s planned National Packaging Laws.

Suzanne Toumbourou, Chief Executive Officer of ACOR, said packaging reform is long overdue, and the stakes are high.

“Without strong domestic markets for locally recycled plastic, Australia risks repeating Europe’s experience, where falling demand and cheap imports have forced plant closures and left recycling capacity stranded,” said Toumbourou.

“With a ban on the export of plastic waste, and significant investment in recycling infrastructure through the government’s Recycling Modernisation Fund, Australia must now ensure that locally recycled plastics can compete with virgin and cheap imported material.

“The APRA Project will measure the real benefits of using Australian-made recycled plastic in packaging and show how it can be a win for jobs, the environment and the economy overall.”

Chris Foley, Chief Executive Officer of APCO, said building strong, lasting demand for Australian recycled plastic packaging is essential to achieving national packaging targets and circular outcomes for these valuable resources.

“By quantifying the economic and environmental value of Australian plastic recycling, this project can provide the evidence backbone for policy and investment decisions that deliver stronger domestic markets and support much-needed national regulation of packaging,” said Foley.

Strategic consultancy firm Rennie Advisory has been commissioned to undertake the APRA Project and will deliver the findings later this year.

The Project will support government and industry decision-making, including upcoming national packaging reform processes and investment frameworks aimed at reducing plastic waste and enhancing domestic recycling capability.

For more information, visit: acor.org.au/