The latest figures from APCO clearly demonstrate that voluntary industry commitments are not working – especially when it comes to plastics
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) released its 2023-24 Australian Packaging Consumption and Recovery Data Report.
The latest results against the Targets include:
- Target 1: 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging.
Result: The proportion of reusable, recyclable or compostable stayed consistent at 86%.
- Target 2: 70% of plastic packaging being recycled or composted.
Result: The plastic recycling rate improved slightly from 19% to 20%.
- Target 3: 50% of average post-consumer recycled content included in packaging.
Result: The average recycled content stayed consistent at 44%.
- Target 4: The phase-out of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging.
Result: This has been reduced by 46% from the 2017-18 baseline.
Note that all results are stable or trending in the wrong direction. For plastics, the situation is dire – only a fifth of plastic packaging is being recycled or composted – against a target of 70%!
With so little happening, why aren’t governments taking a bigger stick to this? Once again, we are told the industry can handle this – APCO states ‘Over the next 5 years, flexible plastic reprocessing capacity is projected to increase by 382,093 tonnes, bringing reprocessing capacity to 70% of POM in 2028-29, compared to just 7% in 2023-24..
Notice the word EXPECTED – show me the money!