APCO working to reduce packaging waste in HVAC&R

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is contacting organisations within the HVAC&R sector to discuss responsibilities regarding packaging waste in Australia.

As industry, government and consumers strive to improve waste avoidance and the recovery of waste through recycling, there is significant focus on implementing a circular economy for packaging to benefit businesses, society and the environment.

A key element in this approach to implementing a circular economy for packaging is Australia’s framework for regulating packaging waste. This is a co-regulatory arrangement described in the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (UPM NEPM). The co-regulatory arrangement comprises the UPM NEPM, legislation and policy in participating states and territories to give effect to the UPM NEPM (“state and territory arrangements”) and the Australian Packaging Covenant (the Covenant).

The co-regulatory arrangement is administered by APCO, an organisation that works with industry and government to minimise the environmental impacts of packaging materials through requiring companies to improve design, recycling and product stewardship of packaging.

Each year APCO works with governments across Australia to undertake a program of activity to reach out to industry and work with them. The aim is to ensure they understand their obligations under the co-regulatory framework and support them in their efforts to implement and manage their sustainable packaging initiatives.

For more information about the initiative, click here.