Webinar: Australians want soft plastic recycling

Australians overwhelmingly want soft plastics recycling to return - and stay. New consumer research from Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia (SPSA)...

Australians overwhelmingly want soft plastics recycling to return - and stay. New consumer research from Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia (SPSA) reveals how households engage with soft plastic recycling once it’s available, and what makes participation easiest. Webinar: Insights into Soft Plastic Collection Pilots and Community Feedback In this third session of The Global Stewardship Playbook,...

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Free resources to help retailers promote safe battery disposal

Keep batteries and battery-powered products out of household bins! From musical greeting cards to flashing toys, battery-powered gifts can pose...

Keep batteries and battery-powered products out of household bins! From musical greeting cards to flashing toys, battery-powered gifts can pose safety risks if thrown in household bins. The National Retail Association is offering free resources to help retailers answer the growing customer questions and guide safe battery disposal this festive season. National Retail Business...

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Filled-onsite plastic ‘cans’ banned (WA)

Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics began in 2021 and has banned more than 20 single-use plastic items. This includes the...

Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics began in 2021 and has banned more than 20 single-use plastic items. This includes the sale or supply of single‑use plastic cups of any shape, and their lids, including those made from plastic-lined paper or bioplastic. This ban came into effect from 1 October 2022. Penalties apply for...

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Additional time & support for WA plastic bags

In 2025 the Western Australian Government have been progressing policy towards and expansion of the ban on non-compostable barrier...

In 2025 the Western Australian Government have been progressing policy towards and expansion of the ban on non-compostable barrier bags, and introduction of a compostable bag design standard. The Compostable Barrier Bag Design Standard came into effect in WA on 1 October 2025 for plastic bags used for loose fruit, vegetables,...

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Attached plastic straws and other items banned (QLD, VIC)

Most states and territories have banned single-use plastic straws, utensils, plates and unlidded bowls over the past few years. Some...

Most states and territories have banned single-use plastic straws, utensils, plates and unlidded bowls over the past few years. Some states allowed additional time for attached or integrated items in shelf-ready or pre-packaged products, such as plastic straws attached to juice boxes and plastic spoons enclosed in yoghurt containers. Most businesses...

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Australian Government: Packaging Reform Consultation

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION FROM AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT Stakeholder update on Packaging Regulatory Reform Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water...

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION FROM AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT Stakeholder update on Packaging Regulatory Reform Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Webinar: 25 September 2024, 11am - 12pm AEST - SOLD OUT *First session sold out, Second session announced: Thurs 26 Sept 11.30am Register here > UPDATE: Paper released: https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/reform-of-packaging-regulation Join DCCEEW for an...

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Have your say: NSW Plastics Plan 2025-2030

New NSW Plastics Paper open for industry feedback now NSW EPA published an exploratory paper with a consultation and submission...

New NSW Plastics Paper open for industry feedback now NSW EPA published an exploratory paper with a consultation and submission period early this year. National Retail provided an extensive submission and attended consultation workshops outlining industry's roadmap for single-use plastics and our recommended strategies to develop a truly circular economy...

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NSW Plastics Ban important updates and webinar

Businesses are encouraged to ensure they will be compliant with the NSW Plastics Ban as previous exemptions end soon. The...

Businesses are encouraged to ensure they will be compliant with the NSW Plastics Ban as previous exemptions end soon. The NSW Plastic Ban came into effect in two stages during 2022. The ban included a range of items, such as single-use plastic straws, cutlery, plates, unlidded bowls and lightweight plastic...

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Have your say: Tasmania Plastic Bans

New Tasmanian Plastics Paper open for industry feedback now Consultation closes 1 October 2024 In line with Tasmania's commitment to sustainable...

New Tasmanian Plastics Paper open for industry feedback now Consultation closes 1 October 2024 In line with Tasmania's commitment to sustainable practices, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (DNET) is considering a phase-out of certain single-use plastic items and seeks input from both businesses and the community. Transitioning away from...

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QLD: Joint effort to address knife violence

The National Retail Association has joined with the Queensland Police Minister to launch a new knife crime prevention campaign...

The National Retail Association has joined with the Queensland Police Minister to launch a new knife crime prevention campaign ‘End Knife Violence’ aligned to new laws restricting the sale of knives and other items. The new laws will come into effect 1 September this year, with retailers being encouraged to...

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Technical Standards Committee Chairperson wins top Standards Australia award

The National Retail Association would like to congratulate our Technical Standards Committee Chairperson, Barbara Kerlen. Barbara has been awarded...

The National Retail Association would like to congratulate our Technical Standards Committee Chairperson, Barbara Kerlen. Barbara has been awarded the most prestigious award from Standards Australia, the W.R. Hebblewhite Medal. Standards Awards are presented to those who have made significant contributions to standardisation and demonstrated outstanding service in enabling...

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APCO June sustainability webinar series

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation has today released the June schedule for its highly successful Weekly Community Webinar series....

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation has today released the June schedule for its highly successful Weekly Community Webinar series. Launched in March, the webinars are designed to bring together professionals across the business, government and environmental communities and help the sustainable packaging community stay connected during lockdown. To date the...

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APCO launches weekly sustainability webinar series

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation has launched a new sustainability webinar series to help industry professionals stay connected. The weekly...

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation has launched a new sustainability webinar series to help industry professionals stay connected. The weekly APCO Community Meeting events are designed to bring together sustainability experts from across the business, government and environmental communities to explore a range of sustainability ideas. These include packaging specific...

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Shoplifting sting in NSW sees 110 arrested

More than 110 people have been arrested during a shoplifting operation conducted by investigators from Redfern Region Enforcement Squad...

More than 110 people have been arrested during a shoplifting operation conducted by investigators from Redfern Region Enforcement Squad (RES) across Sydney this week. Operation Lightfingers, comprising of officers from Redfern RES, with assistance from Eastern Suburbs, Redfern, Leichhardt and Sydney City Police Area Commands, was launched on Wednesday 4...

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Remembrance Day – Advice for Retailers

The National Retail Association encourages retailers to observe the one-minute’s silence on Remembrance Day on the 11th of November...

The National Retail Association encourages retailers to observe the one-minute’s silence on Remembrance Day on the 11th of November at 11.00am to pay tribute to those who have served during times of war and armed conflict. Advice for retailers and shopping centres Retailers within shopping centres and stores with the capacity...

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Circular economy explained – 3 day masterclass

"Circular economy" - it's a term that we're all hearing at the moment - from state-wide bag bans to...

"Circular economy" - it's a term that we're all hearing at the moment - from state-wide bag bans to discussions about stewardship and responsibility at a senior management level. The circular economy is an economic, performance-based model which is viewed globally as a new competitive imperative creating cost savings, reducing...

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