Samsara Eco, an Australian environmental technology company, has urged the government to introduce national mandatory requirements for packaging, to address Australia’s plastics crisis and transition to a circular economy.
The company’s chief commercial officer and chief operating officer, Sarah Cook, emphasised that the current voluntary approach is inadequate, with industry estimates suggesting that less than half of the 2025 packaging targets set by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) have been met.
One such target is achieving an average of 50 per cent recycled content in packaging. Cook stated, “Regulation that mandates packaging requirements on individual entities is the only way we will see businesses make real change.”
Samsara Eco has identified three key areas that it says need reform, to achieve circularity in packaging.
First, it says enforcing minimum recycled content thresholds is essential. Cook noted that similar approaches in Europe have successfully shifted the packaging industry towards a circular economy. She argued that financial penalties for using virgin materials are ineffective without accompanying mandates for change.
Second, she says regulation must encourage designing for circularity. Cook highlighted the design phase as critical for implementing sustainable practices, such as material choices and labelling, which influence the entire product lifecycle.
Third, Cook says fostering regional circularity loops is vital, given Australia’s limited waste infrastructure and supply chain capacity. Cook underscored the need for partnerships across manufacturers, waste collectors, sorters, and recyclers, many of which are located outside Australia.
To support businesses during the transition, Samsara Eco has proposed measures including education on compliance, access to training on circular design, and the establishment of administrative bodies. It says certification organisations could oversee labelling regulations, while innovation associations would help scale new packaging solutions. Additionally, consumer advocacy groups could play a role in ensuring proper recycling practices.
“The Packaging Reform is an opportunity to course-correct,” Cook said. “Moving towards a circular system is crucial to reduce waste and have a more sustainable future.”
The Australian Government first flagged potential reforms to the packaging system last year, aiming to align the industry with circular economy principles. However, Cook stressed that significant work remains to implement effective regulations and infrastructure.
