The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), in partnership with APCO has developed a new training course ‘Tools to help you meet the 2025 National Packaging Targets: PREP & ARL’ with the first two course dates set for July and August. The course will also include a tour of a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF).
Objectives of course:
- Is your business doing enough to ensure that 100 per cent of your packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025?
- Have you audited your current packaging for recyclability?
- Have you started using the Packaging Recyclability Evaluation Portal (PREP) during your design process?
- Are you looking for a way to validate your on-pack recyclability labelling?
- If a consumer picked up your product, would they easily understand which bin to put it in?
- Are you shifting your packaging design to incorporate the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL)?
If you answered no to any of these questions, then this training course is for you.
This training course will help attendees to better understand what tools are available, how to use them, why they are needed and how they link to the 2025 National Packaging Targets.
The APCO Packaging Recycling Label Program is a nation-wide labelling program that provides designers and brand owners with the tools to inform responsible packaging design and helps consumers to understand how to correctly dispose of packaging. Led by the Australian Packaging Covenant (APCO), in collaboration with Planet Ark and PREP Design, the program aims to increase recycling rates, educate consumers and contribute to cleaner recycling streams. The two elements of the program are the Packaging Recyclability Evaluation Portal (PREP) and the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL).
Tool 1: PREP
PREP provides a way for brand owners, manufacturers and designers to assess whether an item of packaging could be classified as ‘recyclable’ through kerbside collection in Australian and New Zealand. PREP produces a report for each ‘project’ that is evaluated. A project will list the recyclability classification for each ‘separable component’ plus the user may nominate a scenario where the separable components are joined at the time of disposal (e.g. bottle and cap). Combining technical recyclability and collection coverage, PREP provides the evidence base for applying the Australasian Recycling Label on-pack.
Tool 2: ARL
The ARL is an evidence-based, standardised labelling system that provides clear and consistent on-pack recycling information to inform consumers of the correct disposal method. The ARL is designed to be used in conjunction with PREP, which informs the user of the correct on-pack ARL artwork for each ‘separable component’ of packaging. It is a simple and effective method to improve consumer recycling behaviours.
This course will help attendees understand how to more accurately use PREP and the ARL including:
- How to complete a PREP evaluation
- How to convert PREP outcomes to an ARL artwork
- How to apply the ARL on-pack correctly
Attendees will start the training course by visiting a Materials Recycling Facility to obtain a realistic view of the current recycling capabilities in Australia. Moving then into the classroom, you will learn about the APCO Recycling Label Program and consumer recycling behaviours. Attendees will then deep-dive in to the purpose of PREP, gain an understanding of the governance and data collection process behind PREP, review samples and material templates and work through sample assessment templates. Attendees will be able to undertake a hands-on interactive session using PREP to complete an evaluation, review a report and understand the reasons behind the assessment.
Course objectives:
This half-day training course will enable participants to gain a better understanding of how using PREP and applying the ARL can help your business to meet the 2025 National Packaging Targets. The course will also enable participants to have a better and more realistic view of what packaging is truly recyclable and being recycled in Australia. Understanding these tools will enable agencies and marketers to provide verifiable and consistent recyclability information to their consumers.