Foodbank records high volumes amid surging demand for food relief

Foodbank Australia announced that it sourced a record 51 million kilograms of food and groceries in 2023, equivalent to...

Foodbank Australia announced that it sourced a record 51 million kilograms of food and groceries in 2023, equivalent to 92 million meals. This comes at a crucial time when the cost-of-living crisis has significantly increased the demand for food relief across the nation. The Foodbank Hunger Report 2023 illustrates a...

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Western Australia single-use plastic ban update

In the past few months, the National Retail team have delivered a dedicated website, a suite of resources, online...

In the past few months, the National Retail team have delivered a dedicated website, a suite of resources, online information sessions, engaged with suppliers, contacted peak industry bodies, and answered hundreds of business calls on the Stage 2 Plastic bans. Our team has hit the streets visiting thousands of retailers...

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Introduction of a Designated Complaints Function Within the ACCC

The Albanese Labor Government has established a Competition Taskforce located in the Commonwealth Treasury, staffed by a team of...

The Albanese Labor Government has established a Competition Taskforce located in the Commonwealth Treasury, staffed by a team of competition experts and advised by an expert advisory panel, the taskforce's role is to produce practical policies that will boost competition and help fuel innovation and wage growth. According to the...

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ARL Program Updates

Update on New Zealand Kerbside Standardisation As of 1 February, ARL users should refer to the NZ kerbside implementation guide...

Update on New Zealand Kerbside Standardisation As of 1 February, ARL users should refer to the NZ kerbside implementation guide for the ARL program when conducting PREP assessments for projects in the NZ region. This document is intended to highlight the areas of difference and similarity between PREP assessments and...

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APCO Reporting Tool 2024: A Guide for Efficient Annual Reporting

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has officially opened its Reporting Tool for the year 2024, signaling the commencement...

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has officially opened its Reporting Tool for the year 2024, signaling the commencement of the annual reporting process for its members. In this announcement, APCO expresses gratitude for the patience of its members and outlines essential details on accessing the tool, resources available,...

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Changes to Packaging Recycling Standards in New Zealand: PREP Updates and Guidance

The Packaging Forum's Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) program is undergoing significant updates in response to the New Zealand Ministry...

The Packaging Forum's Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) program is undergoing significant updates in response to the New Zealand Ministry for Environment's Gazette notice and associated standards for kerbside recycling. The changes, effective from February 1, 2024, aim to standardize materials collected and excluded via household kerbside recycling. The ARL...

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Changes coming for seafood country of origin labelling for hospitality businesses

In late November 2023, the Australian Government announced new rules around seafood Country of Origin Labelling for hospitality businesses. Consumer...

In late November 2023, the Australian Government announced new rules around seafood Country of Origin Labelling for hospitality businesses. Consumer ministers voted to introduce the AIM model which will require business to show if seafood for sale is either: Australian (A) Imported (I) Mixed origin (M), if a dish includes...

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Regulations to ban additional plastic products in SA

South Australia is committed to phasing out additional single-use and other plastic products over a 3-year period. The first stage...

South Australia is committed to phasing out additional single-use and other plastic products over a 3-year period. The first stage of these bans commenced on 1 September 2023, and included plastic pizza savers, plastic-stemmed cotton buds, single-use plastic bowls without lids for food and beverages, and single-use plastic plates for...

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The ARL consumer insights report

Recycling is still seen as the most impactful everyday behaviour consumers can do to help the environment. The Australian...

Recycling is still seen as the most impactful everyday behaviour consumers can do to help the environment. The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has released the ARL Consumer Insights Report, and in fantastic news, awareness of the label continues to grow, and three-quarters of consumers are asking to see...

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Dr Geoffrey Annison on the establishment of a federal Anti-Modern Slavery Commissioner

On 3 November 2023, the Federal Government introduced the Modern Slavery Amendment (Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner) Bill 2023 into Parliament...

On 3 November 2023, the Federal Government introduced the Modern Slavery Amendment (Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner) Bill 2023 into Parliament establishing Australia’s first federal Anti-Modern Slavery Commissioner. This milestone event was, of course, expected as it was part of the Government’s policy platform going into the 2022 federal election, and...

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Welcoming Minderoo Foundation’s Sarah McEvoy as a Sustainability Consultant

The National Retail Association is pleased to welcome Minderoo Foundation’s Sarah McEvoy as a Sustainability Consultant. Sarah will support industry...

The National Retail Association is pleased to welcome Minderoo Foundation’s Sarah McEvoy as a Sustainability Consultant. Sarah will support industry by making regular contributions to our member communications on the latest research and policy developments across sustainability, plastic pollution and impacts on human health. Sarah McEvoy joined Minderoo Foundation in April...

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Strengthening Cybersecurity for Small and Medium Retail Businesses: A Vital Initiative by the Albanese Government

In response to the mounting cyber threats faced by small and medium businesses, the National Retail Association welcomes the...

In response to the mounting cyber threats faced by small and medium businesses, the National Retail Association welcomes the Australian Cyber Security Strategy introduced by the Albanese Government. Under the leadership of Minister for Cyber Security, Clare O'Neil, this comprehensive strategy, offers support for businesses vulnerable to cyber incidents,...

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SCCA Research: Retail Trade Analysis – October 2023 (First Release)

Retail Trade trend estimate increased by 0.3 percent in October 2023 and by 1.5 per cent year-on-year The latest release...

Retail Trade trend estimate increased by 0.3 percent in October 2023 and by 1.5 per cent year-on-year The latest release (October 2023) of the monthly ABS Retail Trade data indicates that the overall month-on-month (m-o-m) trend estimate increased by 0.3 percent, equal to 0.3 percent in September and August 2023....

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Combatting Emerging Scams During the Holiday Season

Safeguarding Your Business and Finances: A Comprehensive Guide to Combatting Emerging Scams During the Holiday Season As the holiday shopping...

Safeguarding Your Business and Finances: A Comprehensive Guide to Combatting Emerging Scams During the Holiday Season As the holiday shopping season unfolds with Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas approaching, the risk of cybercrime and scams heightens. Also on the horizon is Scams Awareness Week (27 November – 1 December...

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Bringing back Australasian Recycling Label sessions from now until December

The Australian Government is working with Industry to help brands transition to the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL). The ARL is...

The Australian Government is working with Industry to help brands transition to the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL). The ARL is an evidence-based labelling system that is designed to reduce confusion on what is and isn't recyclable in 80% of households with clear and accurate on-pack instructions. It is also designed...

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Federal Inquiry into Diabetes in Australia Hearing

Further to our recent updates, Monday morning, the National Retail Association were pleased to provide evidence to the Federal...

Further to our recent updates, Monday morning, the National Retail Association were pleased to provide evidence to the Federal Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport's Inquiry into Diabetes in Australia. Dr Alan Barclay and David Stout provided evidence on behalf of the National Retail Association's Health and Nutrition...

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