Using compostable and sustainable packaging is step one towards the Australian Government’s goal of recycling 100% of plastic packaging by 2025. In addition, compostable packaging has many other advantages for consumers and manufacturers in Australia and the environment alike.
The Australian Government’s National Waste Policy has set a target of recovering or recycling all recyclable, compostable, and reusable plastic by the year 2025. This is not a mandatory requirement but rather an overarching goal to be achieved by working with industries and other stakeholders.
Recyclable plastics have always been collected separately from general waste for recycling as part of Australia’s kerbside collection program. However, some different types of plastics can’t be recycled because they’re too contaminated (such as food packaging) or because they don’t decompose at high enough temperatures in the recycling process (like PET bottles). These materials must go into a landfill instead because they can’t be processed effectively at this stage.
Many Australians Are Concerned About The Impact Of Waste On The Environment
A Survey conducted by the CSIRO showed that 95% of Australians are concerned about the impact of waste on Australia’s environment.
Australians believe manufacturers should use more sustainable packaging, reduce waste going to landfills, and increase preparedness for recycling. As Australian consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, 83% of them deem it important that manufacturers use more sustainable packaging. This trend will only continue to grow as young people become more involved in politics and voting.
Reducing Waste Landfill
The Australian people have indicated their desire to reduce waste going to landfills and increase preparedness for recycling in several studies.
Composlastics are the predominant material used in packaging and more than 40% of all grocery items in Australia, according to a National Packaging Covenant Report. This is not surprising considering how versatile plastic is as a material. It comes in many different shapes, sizes, and colours. Because of this versatility, plastic packaging is used for many products, such as food containers, cosmetics containers, cleaning products, and other common products. But the problem with most plastics is that they cannot be recycled or reused, due to which they have to be dumped in landfills. In order to reduce the pile-up of plastics in landfills (as they are not decomposable), many manufacturers are shifting to more environmentally-friendly materials like paper, jute and compostable plastics. Reasons for switching to compostable packaging are as follows:
Only A Few Percentage Of Plastics Are Recycled
14% of plastic packaging entering the Australian waste stream is recycled, with the remaining 86% ending up in landfill or being incinerated. That’s a worrying figure, especially when Australians consider that 98% of plastic packaging does not biodegrade and will take hundreds of years to break down.
The good news? Compostable food packaging is here to help! It’s made from renewable resources and can be completely broken down by microorganisms in weeks or months, depending on the composting system – which means it provides an easy way to dispose of leftover food without damaging the planet.
It Helps Increase Australia’s Recycling Rates:
Sustainable packaging is one way to reach Australia’s national goal of increasing recycling rates.
Compostable packaging is biodegradable, plant-based, and made from renewable resources. It can be used in compost or natural fertiliser, but it cannot be recycled as it breaks down into smaller parts unsuitable for recycling. Sustainable packaging is, therefore, both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Although the use of sustainable packaging is still limited in Australia, there has been an increase in usage in recent years. The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), a voluntary organisation whose members include major retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers to the industry, has set up initiatives to increase awareness of biodegradable packaging and promote effective disposal methods.