Action Plans
Annual Reports & IDAS
Assessment
NPCC Annual Report
Performance Indicators
Mid-Term Review
Background
NPCC Recycling Data
Covenant Performance Data


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Mid-Term Review

 
A comprehensive and independent review of the National Packaging Covenant was presented to Ministers on November 7, 2008.
The findings of the review provided Ministers with the opportunity to consider extending the validity of the Covenant/NEPM model for an agreed term beyond its expiry date.
The National Packaging Covenant Council (NPCC) believes that the Covenant has made more than satisfactory progress towards meeting its targets and is in a sound position to move forward.
An overwhelming majority of signatories indicated that they wanted the Covenant to continue beyond 2010. This was reinforced in key stakeholder interviews. It was felt that a more effective Covenant that builds on the current structure and incorporates a broader sustainability focus could help to further reduce the environmental impact of packaging in Australia.
 
As an outcome from their meeting, Ministers have requested the NPCC to prepare a framework for an extended Covenant beyond June 2010.
 
Links to Individual reports
Executive Document (this is a summary of all the following reports. For an overview of results start here)
               Case Studies - Supplementary Work
 
Is the Covenant on Target?
The findings of the review indicate that the Covenant is on track as progress has been made towards each of the overarching targets. A summary of results against targets 1-3 is provided below. Click here for more information about the Covenant targets.
 
Target 1 - Increased recycling of post consumer packaging
The overall recycling level for post-consumer packaging increased from 40% in 2003 to 56% in 2007 and, supported by independent projections using different assumptions and methodologies as part of the mid-term review, the recycling rate is likely to be between 64% and 67% by 2010.
Target 2 - “Non Recyclable” Packaging
The recycling rate for plastics 4-7 which are designated as “non-recyclable” materials under the Covenant, increased from 10% in 2003 to 24% in 2007, and the 25% target for these materials is likely to be met by 2010. Due to the exceptional results against this target, NPCC is reviewing whether plastics 4-7 can still be considered “non-recyclable”.
 
Target 3 - Packaging to Landfill
Since 2003 there has been a 24% decrease in packaging estimated to be going to landfill.
 
Areas for improvement
Although the Covenant is showing definite signs of progress, the mid-term review has highlighted a number of key areas the NPCC needs to address over the remainder of this Covenant and moving forward, including:
  • Improved rigour, quantification and accountability in industry Action Plans and Annual Progress Reports
  • Greater application across industry of the Environmental Code of Practice for Packaging
  • Focused communications with key stakeholders
  • Optimisation of the project funding mechanism
  • Improved NPCC and stakeholder understanding of the tonnes of packaging reported as consumed and recycled, in particular packaging on imported and exported finished goods
The NPCC will need to take into account the rapidly changing and complex context of Australia, contemplating issues such as climate change, emissions reduction and other reporting requirements when considering any changes to the Covenant.
 
 










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