With the announcement of the Government’s sustainability-driven 2025 National Packaging Targets, packaging manufacturer Pact Group executive chairman Raphael “Ruffy” Geminder said Australia’s packaging industry faces an inflection point with consumer sentiment shifting and government action forthcoming.
The Pact Group chair welcomed the 2025 National Packaging Targets announced by Australia’s Minister for the Environment, Melissa Price, which build on commitments made by state and territory environment ministers to set a path for Australia’s recyclable waste.
Speaking at the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) Toward 2025 industry event and Australasian Recycling Label launch in Melbourne today, which was hosted by Pact Group, Geminder called for a cross-industry coalition to work towards the 'End of Waste'.
"Australian consumers are demanding change. Consumption of packaging is growing exponentially, and our waste management systems are no longer fit for purpose. We can no longer simply rely on consumers to solve the problem, we need government and industry working side by side to create scaled, standardised solutions to tackle packaging waste,” Geminder said.
“As passionate recyclers and innovators now is the time to set ambitious goals and drive the changes that can lead the industry to the End of Waste.
Geminder believes that to realise this vision, Australasia needs industry-wide collaboration to simplify the recycling process for consumers.
"An integrated approach will allow us to deliver innovation at scale so new solutions do not simply increase cost and lose value. Consumers should not be forced to choose between value and sustainability,” Geminder said.
New research commissioned by Pact Group demonstrates shifting consumer sentiment and concerns about the impact of packaging waste. Key findings of the research include:
- 91 per cent of Australians agree they’re concerned about the environmental impact of packaging
- 76 per cent of Australians report they are more concerned about packaging waste now than they were five years ago
- 70 per cent of Australians feel guilty about the amount of packaging waste their household produces.
- 57 per cent say they could do more to recycle packaging waste in their households
- 87 per cent say they are annoyed by the amount of packaging on products
- Half of Australians (52 per cent) say they don’t understand what happens to packaging once it’s taken away for recycling
- One in seven Australians (14 per cent) say they don’t recycle all their packaging as they don’t feel their actions make any difference or that the materials go to landfill anyway
- Fewer than half of Australians (45 per cent) would be willing to pay more for a product with more environmentally friendly packaging
- Two-thirds of Australians (66 per cent) say the cost for more sustainable packaging should be borne by industry
The company also announced its 2025 sustainability commitments designed to help achieve the End of Waste: a circular economy that will reduce, reuse, or recycle all packaging waste.
