What does it mean to be a member of APCO?

APCO stands for the Australian Packaging Covenant. It's a national body of over 1500 members who are all committed to the 2025 National Packaging Targets. We've been a part of this fantastic initiative for several years.

As a member, every year we report on what percentage of the packaging we make and use;

• Contains recycled content (and how much)

• Is Recyclable or Compostable

If you're interested in knowing more, here's our most recent APCO Annual Report (2021).

What are the NATIONAL PACKAGING TARGETS? 

• 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging.
• 70% of plastic packaging being recycled or composted.
• 50% of average recycled content included in packaging (revised from 30% in 2020).
• The phase out of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastics packaging.

By 25 December 2025, the Australian Government is aiming to achieve the above and APCO is the body charged with making it happen. As a packaging company, we know we play a crucial role in enabling Australian companies to be able to meet these targets - as well as meet them ourselves.

How do our products fit within the APCO framework and help our customers meet these targets?

Our new POLLAST!C Range  is critical. Because it is made from 100% recycled plastic content, brands who shift even a portion of their packaging to POLLAST!C will find it a lot easier to reach an average 50% recycled content across all their packaging! In 2020, APCO (the Australian Packaging Covenant) released the National Compostable Packaging Strategy which recommended that compostable packaging only be used when the packaging would contain (or come into contact with) food.

This position is consistent with the recommendations of the global  Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Plastics Pact Network (including WRAP UK and ANZPAC).  

As a result, Better Packaging Co. set about developing our world-first POLLAST!C range, made from recycled Ocean Bound Plastic pollution. POLLAST!C is made from mono-material PE film and is preferred by APCO and packaging pacts like  WRAP UK for non-food contact use.  

How do we work with APCO?

Better Packaging Co. is often at the forefront of materials innovation and is 'pushes the envelope' further than even the guidelines have considered. It is therefore imperative that we consult with APCO through the innovation process. an example is our new Bamboo range. APCO considers bamboo to be an alternative fibre as bamboo is a grass, rather than a tree (which most paper and card is made from). We worked closely with APCO to ensure that our 'Better Bamboo' packaging met the standards required for curbside recyclability. We're pleased to say it passed with flying colours!

We are also active members of a number of other packaging pacts globally including ANZPAC and the Ellen MacArthur New Plastics Economy.