The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and the Packaging Forum have announced a new trans-Tasman partnership aimed at ensuring more soft plastics are collected and recycled.
The new partnership will see the Packaging Forum’s Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme recognised as an approved Alternative Destination under APCO’s Australasian Recycling Label Program.
“Research consistently shows that soft plastics are one of the most problematic contaminants in the waste stream and are an issue we have to get right in order to improve recovery rates for the region,” APCO CEO Brooke Donnelly said.
“We are delighted to officially partner with the Packaging Forum’s Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme to provide our ARL Program Members with an approved, reliable end of life solution for their soft plastics.
“We encourage all businesses selling consumer soft plastic packaging in New Zealand to join the Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme and provide an evidence-based recovery option on the packaging you place on market.”
To be approved as an Alternative Destination, programs must meet a set of criteria to confirm the accessibility, recycling outcomes and scope of the program.
The partnership will mean businesses distributing soft plastic packaging in the New Zealand market no longer have to label their soft plastics as not recyclable.
The Packaging Forum’s Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme is membership-based program that provides retail collection points across Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Northland, Taranaki, Waikato and Wellington to collect and recycle a range of soft plastic products.
The materials are processed onshore by North Island plants, Future Post and Second Life Plastics into durable plastic products including posts, parking stops, cable covers and garden edging.
“We have close to 100 scheme members, many of which operate trans-Tasman and this partnership with APCO will allow them to adopt consistent labelling for their soft plastic packaging in both countries,” Lyn Mayes, Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme Manager said.
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