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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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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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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National Recycling Week – The ARL, sustainable packaging and single-use plastics

It’s National Recycling Week and the National Retail Association is encouraging all retailers to understand and learn more about...

It’s National Recycling Week and the National Retail Association is encouraging all retailers to understand and learn more about sustainable packaging, recycling, the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) and single-use plastic bans across the States and Territories. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) We are currently working in partnership with the Australian Packaging...

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NSW EPA new single-use plastic ban discussion paper

The National Retail Association has made a preliminary assessment of the New South Wales governments Next Steps discussion paper. The paper...

The National Retail Association has made a preliminary assessment of the New South Wales governments Next Steps discussion paper. The paper focuses on items from the 2020-21 Key Littered Items Study NSW EPA Report. There are three key pillars, outlined in the discussion paper: Pillar one: Reduce all litter items by 60% by 2030...

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National Retail responds to ACCC Environmental and Sustainability Claims Draft Guidance

National Retail welcomed the long-awaited draft update to the ACCC Guidance to boost industry confidence to make genuine environmental and sustainability...

National Retail welcomed the long-awaited draft update to the ACCC Guidance to boost industry confidence to make genuine environmental and sustainability claims. Our members reported that the draft Guidelines were reasonable, and they appreciate that it aligned with their prior understanding of avoiding misleading environmental claims. However, this continues to be a...

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NABERS Energy update – 4 September

NABERS is a national government program that rates the operational performance of buildings on a 6-star rating scale. It provides...

NABERS is a national government program that rates the operational performance of buildings on a 6-star rating scale. It provides a simple, reliable, and comparable sustainability measurement. Over the last 10 years, NABERS customers have saved an average of 30-40% on their energy. To support Australia’s transition to a net-zero built...

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New single-use plastic bans introduced September 1 in QLD, SA, and WA

Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have implemented their latest rounds of plastic bans on September 1. Queensland, South Australia,...

Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have implemented their latest rounds of plastic bans on September 1. Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia will implement their latest rounds of plastic bans today, and the National Retail Association is encouraging retailers and their suppliers to check that they understand the new...

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Official Container Deposit Scheme Regulations | Stage 2

The first CDS Amendment Regulations were made law by Governor-In-Council on 8 August 2023, and they have now been...

The first CDS Amendment Regulations were made law by Governor-In-Council on 8 August 2023, and they have now been published on the Legislation Vic Website found here. Here is a brief summary of the changes: Regulation 4 amends definitions: in the definition of "donation partner" wording has changed to better...

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National Packaging Targets with APCO

The 2025 National Packaging Targets apply to all packaging that is made, used, and sold in Australia and the...

The 2025 National Packaging Targets apply to all packaging that is made, used, and sold in Australia and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is charged by the Australian government to facilitate the delivery of the 2025 targets. Recently, APCO CEO, Chris Foley, and Packaging Technologist, Ian Hayes, joined our...

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The First Supplier Registration and Contracting System is now live.

  If you are a manufacturer, distributor, importer, contract bottler, or retailer supplying beverage containers into/within Victoria, you may be...

  If you are a manufacturer, distributor, importer, contract bottler, or retailer supplying beverage containers into/within Victoria, you may be considered a First Supplier. In Victoria, if you are a First Supplier according to the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 (VIC), you have a legal obligation to participate...

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New Check Locally logo for soft plastics

The Australasian Recycling Label's (ARL) are pleased to provide an update regarding the ARL's, newest Check Locally logo, including...

The Australasian Recycling Label's (ARL) are pleased to provide an update regarding the ARL's, newest Check Locally logo, including the steps brand owners need to take in order to be eligible for a new label. Following the collapse of REDcycle, brand owners are required to update any soft plastics labelling...

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APCO Update, new Soft Plastics labelling option

In case you missed the June APCO Update Webinar. Please find a summary of key topics in the webinar...

In case you missed the June APCO Update Webinar. Please find a summary of key topics in the webinar below and a Soft Plastics FAQ. New Check Locally label provides advice to consumers The webinar highlighted the introduction of a new label for soft plastics under the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL)....

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ACCC Announces 2023-24 Product Safety Priorities

Every year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) identifies key areas to minimise and raise awareness of the...

Every year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) identifies key areas to minimise and raise awareness of the risks posed by unsafe consumer goods. Last week, ACCC announced the 2023-24 Product Safety Priorities  1. Young children’s product safety Compliance, enforcement, and education initiatives, focusing on consumer products, such as sleep aids,...

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National Packaging Targets

The 2025 National Packaging Targets apply to all packaging that is made, used, and sold in Australia, and the...

The 2025 National Packaging Targets apply to all packaging that is made, used, and sold in Australia, and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is charged by the Australian government to facilitate the delivery of the 2025 targets. The Sustainable Packaging Guidelines document includes the National Packaging Targets information and...

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