Huhtamaki, Tetra Pak and Zipform Packaging are the drivers behind the newly conceived Australian Fibre-Based Packaging Alliance (AFBPA), stepping forward to represent businesses producing and using fibre-based packaging in Australia.
With the increasing uptake of fibre-based packaging in food and food service applications due to its renewable origins, recyclability and performance, the alliance says it aims to ensure the role of fibre-based packaging in a circular economy is properly recognised.
AFBPA says a key focus will be to promote the opportunities and environmental advantages of fibre based packaging. It also seeks to develop systems and infrastructure for effective recovery, sorting and recycling of fibre-based packaging to reduce landfill in partnership with the downstream sector. It says it aims to ensure the interests of fibre-based packaging producers and users are effectively represented.
The packaging industry is being challenged to take responsibility for the product it places on market and this alliance is an example of industry taking action. The alliance describes itself as a cross-industry initiative with the goal of boosting fibre-based packaging’s contribution to a low-carbon, circular economy. It will seek to establish an industry roadmap and support science-based design guidelines, promote innovation, and engage with consumers, industry and policy makers on the material’s environmental benefits and functionality.
AFBPA has made it clear that it “will not operate for profit, nor represent the specific interests of individual parties and will establish a transparent governance process appropriate for a cross industry alliance”.
Companies interested in finding out more or joining the alliance can contact Jano.crema@huhtamaki.com; flavia.vaz@tetrapak.com or johnb@zipformpackaging.com
