• Chris Foley tells it like it is: "We need to take a more hands-on approach to recycling if we’re going to see the results that the community expects."
    Chris Foley tells it like it is: "We need to take a more hands-on approach to recycling if we’re going to see the results that the community expects."
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In the wake of the Environment Ministers' announcement that packaging will soon be subject to strict new government rules aimed at cutting waste and boosting recycling, APCO has been engaging with the packaging value chain through a series of interactive forums.

Held around the country, the forums are providing APCO members and stakeholders with information about the reset that APCO is undertaking of its capabilities and approach following its recent review of the National Packaging Targets, and the work APCO is doing to help drive the transition to a stronger regulatory approach on packaging beyond 2025.

The five face-to-face forums in major centres have been booked out, however, you can still register for an online forum to be held on Thursday 31 August from 2-4pm. Register here https://apco.org.au/events/7019e000000AMXMAA4.

"The forums also provide opportunity for participants to input into the development of APCO’s work," APCO CEO Chris Foley told PKN. He said over the coming weeks, APCO will be developing an advocacy position on the post-2025 regulatory framework, including a public submission to the government on the planned reforms.

Peter Brisbane, APCO head of Government Partnerships, said, "APCO is also developing a transition plan to guide the development of the capabilities, systems and processes needed to support the commencement of the new regulatory framework."

Foley and Brisbane told PKN that so far, participants have been highly positive about the reform process and the key role that APCO is looking to play beyond 2025. This includes support for provisions such as recycled content targets and mandatory participation in extended producer responsibility schemes.

Register here so you don't miss out on this important opportunity to shape the packaging reset. 

 

Food & Drink Business

In October 2024, Gold Coast-based food manufacturer, Smart Foods, acquired The Aussie Plant Based Co. just days after it had gone into liquidation. Food & Drink Business caught spoke the CEO, Raghu Reddy, as the company nears its first-year anniversary, about the company and alternative protein landscape.

Bega Group has reached an agreement with Crumpton Group to sell the land, buildings and equipment located at the Peanut Company of Australia’s peanut processing sites in Kingaroy and Tolga, after initially deciding they would be shut down over the next 18 months.

National industry body, Spirits & Cocktails Australia (SCA), has appointed Steven Fanner as executive director. Fanner will be based in Canberra, as the organisation moves its headquarters from Sydney to the capital.