Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a co-regulatory not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. APCO's vision is a packaging value chain that collaborates to keep packaging materials out of landfill and retains the maximum value of the materials, energy and labour within the local economy.
Each year, APCO Brand Owner Members are required to submit an APCO Annual Report and an APCO Action Plan. This document is the Annual Report and Action Plan output for the organisation listed above. This document provides the overall performance level of the organisation, as well as any commitments they have made to work towards on their packaging sustainability journey. This document may also include additional information provided by the Member in their report.
The Australian Packaging Covenant (the Covenant) is a national regulatory framework under the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (NEPM) that sets out how governments and businesses across Australia share the responsibility for managing the environmental impacts of packaging.
What are the aims of the Covenant?
The Covenant aims to reduce the environmental impacts of Consumer Packaging by supporting two goals:
Consumer Packaging is defined in the NEPM to mean all packaging products made of any material, or combination of materials, for the containment, protection, marketing or handling of consumer products. This includes distribution packaging. For clarity, Consumer Packaging includes primary, secondary and tertiary packaging, including plastic bags.
The Covenant supports an industry-led component of a co-regulatory arrangement underpinned by the NEPM.
The Covenant is supported by a five-year Strategic Plan that is developed and implemented by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation Ltd. (APCO), in consultation with Commonwealth, state and territory governments. Members contribute Membership fees that support the administration of the Covenant, the provision of services to Members and projects.
What is the Covenant and how does it relate to APCO?
APCO is the entity in charge of managing and administering the Covenant.
The Covenant is agreed between APCO, representing industry participants in the packaging supply chain, and Commonwealth, state and territory governments, and endorsed by all environment ministers.
Which organisations are bound by the Covenant and how does it relate to APCO Brand Owner Members?
The Covenant applies to businesses in the supply chain that have a total annual turnover of $5 million or more, that meet the definition of Brand Owner as set out within the NEPM.
These businesses are required to choose between:
When organisations become a Brand Owner Member of APCO and a Signatory to the Covenant, they agree to shared commitments and joint responsibilities to work collaboratively to achieve sustainable packaging outcomes.
H Leffler & Son Pty Ltd
171 Kensington Road
West Melbourne Vic 3003
Australia
Ph: +61 3 9090 4500
Fx: +61 3 9090 4599
Email: [email protected]