March 2019
SOFT PLASTIC PACKAGING WORKING GROUP 2018 Contents
1. Executive Summary 3
2. Definitions 7
3. Scope 9
4. Stakeholder Identification 11
5. Materiality Statement 12
6. Key Priority Areas 13
7. Baseline Data 13
a. Amount consumed 13
b. Main product applications or sectors 13
c. Design initiatives 13
d. Recovery and recycling systems 14 i. Reduction or reuse systems 14 ii. Collection systems 14 iii. Recycling systems 15 iv. Recycling technologies and end markets 16
e Recycling rates 19
8. Lifecycle Approach 19
9. Conclusions 20 a. Conclusions 20 b. Data Gaps 20
Disclaimer APCO and the contributing authors have prepared this report with a high-level of care and thoroughness and recommend that it is read in full. This report is based on generally accepted definitions, data and understanding of industry practices and standards at the time it was prepared. It is prepared in accordance with the scope of work and for the purpose outlined in the introduction. Sources of information used are referenced in this report, except where provided on a confidential basis. This report has been prepared for use only by the APCO, and other third parties who have been authorised by APCO. APCO and the contributing authors are not liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly using, or reliance on, the contents of this publication. This report does not purport to give legal or financial advice and does not necessarily reflect the views of individual Working Group members or their organisations. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this report.
SOFT PLASTIC PACKAGING WORKING GROUP 2018 2 Executive Summary
APCO has been charged by Environmental Ministers economy principles, avoidance and reduction should in Australia to lead the 2025 National Packaging be prioritised and end markets for recycled plastic Targets. To progress towards these targets, the need to achieve the highest potential environmental following areas will need to be addressed: value (see Figure 1). The primary goal is to recycle as • Packaging design will need to ensure that it is much as possible back into packaging, where this is suitable for recovery through either reuse, not possible (e.g. for multi-layer packaging formats) recycling or composting plastics may be recycled to make other products • Infrastructure will need to be available for the that can also be recycled at end of life. Packaging collection and recovery of all packaging types that cannot be collected for material recycling (e.g. through either reuse, recycling or composting because it is too contaminated with food or another • End markets will need to be strengthened to organic nutrients), could be designed for composting. support the recycling industry Waste to energy is regarded as a useful ‘last resort’ • Consumers will need to be informed and solution once all other technologies and end markets educated about the correct recovery channel have been explored. for all packaging. Achieving this vision will require coordinated In 2018 APCO convened five working groups to national action in the following areas: investigate barriers and opportunities to improve the • End markets: Robust and sustainable markets recovery of five ‘problematic’ packaging materials: for soft plastics, including more research and glass, polymer coated paperboard (PCPB), soft development and reprocessing facilities with plastics, biodegradable and compostable packaging, capacity to absorb the growing quantities of soft and expanded polystyrene (EPS). The groups plastics being collected. worked to establish a shared understanding of the • Procurement: Commitment from government problem and to identify projects to be undertaken by agencies and other large organisations to buy stakeholders in the packaging value chain to support recycled products containing recycled plastics. achievement of the 2025 National Packaging Targets • Consumer education: Understand the benefits of for each material category. soft plastics, e.g. for extended shelf life, but avoid The identified projects have been reviewed, unnecessary use; know how to recycle and buy prioritised and combined with other initiatives to recycled products to ‘close the loop’. develop projects for implementation in 2019. Priority • Design: Unnecessary, problematic or inefficient projects for implementation in 2019 are summarised packaging eliminated; all soft plastics designed in Table 1. The individual projects aim to support for recycling; hard-to-recycle soft plastics e.g. the achievement of the 2025 National Packaging PVC and multi-material laminates, replaced with Targets by addressing packaging design, consumer more recyclable alternatives; inclusion of recycled engagement, recovery systems and end markets. content, where possible. 2018 Soft Plastics Working Group’s (the Working • Collection: Users separating soft plastics for Group) vision is for all soft plastics to be designed for recycling at home or at work; at least 80% of reuse or recycling, to incorporate recycled content households have access to a convenient recycling where feasible, and to be recycled or composted option through either kerbside collection, retail at end of life. This aligns with the UN Sustainable drop-off, or council recycling centres; clear and Development Goals (SDG), particularly Goal 12 consistent recycling labelling. (‘Sustainable production and consumption’). • Sorting: Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) set up In accordance with the waste hierarchy and circular to sort soft plastics as a separate stream.
SOFT PLASTIC PACKAGING WORKING GROUP 2018 3 Executive Summary
Avoid
Reduce
Material recycling back into packaging
Material recycling to other products