Media Release
National Recycling Fund key to Sustainability
PDF version
5 April 2019
The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) welcomes Labor’s commitment to a National Recycling Fund to improve sustainability outcomes for the Australian community.
While a range of packaging and materials are currently recyclable, and that measure is only increasing, the Australian community is grappling with the fact that much of the recyclable material is currently going to landfill. Labor’s commitment to fund projects to encourage recycling, including funding for innovative waste solutions, local government recycling facilities and material processing facilities is a welcome step forward in a coordinated national response.
The partnership approach whereby government will engage with industry, the research sector and the wider community to integrate waste processing and recycling into a 21st century industrial system is key to finding solutions to these complex challenges.
“Over the last five years the fresh produce sector has been implementing more sustainable packaging solutions. In coming weeks, the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance will formally respond and commit to the 2025 pledge for all packaging to be recyclable however the challenge is the physical recycling at the end of the supply chain” said Michael Rogers, CEO, Australian Fresh Produce Alliance.
“Taking used materials and creating new products or packaging, which can then also be repurposed, is key to improving sustainability and reducing waste. Implementing this sustainable approach requires a partnership between government, industry, researchers and consumers to build the infrastructure and provide practical recycling systems for Australian families to support” said Mr Rogers.
Contact – Michael Rogers – 0409 648 911
About the AFPA - The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) is made up of Australia’s key fresh produce growers and suppliers. The members include Costa Group, Perfection Fresh, Montague, One Harvest, Pinata Farms, Fresh Select, Mitolo Group, Mackay’s Banana Marketing, Driscoll’s, 2PH Farms, LaManna Premier Group, Rugby Farming, Freshmax and Fresh Produce Group. These businesses represent half the industry turnover of the Australian fresh produce (fruit and vegetables) sector - $4.5 billion of the $9.1 billion total; 1,000 plus growers through commercial arrangements and more than 15,000 direct employees through peak harvest, and up to 25,000 in the grower network.
While a range of packaging and materials are currently recyclable, and that measure is only increasing, the Australian community is grappling with the fact that much of the recyclable material is currently going to landfill. Labor’s commitment to fund projects to encourage recycling, including funding for innovative waste solutions, local government recycling facilities and material processing facilities is a welcome step forward in a coordinated national response.
The partnership approach whereby government will engage with industry, the research sector and the wider community to integrate waste processing and recycling into a 21st century industrial system is key to finding solutions to these complex challenges.
“Over the last five years the fresh produce sector has been implementing more sustainable packaging solutions. In coming weeks, the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance will formally respond and commit to the 2025 pledge for all packaging to be recyclable however the challenge is the physical recycling at the end of the supply chain” said Michael Rogers, CEO, Australian Fresh Produce Alliance.
“Taking used materials and creating new products or packaging, which can then also be repurposed, is key to improving sustainability and reducing waste. Implementing this sustainable approach requires a partnership between government, industry, researchers and consumers to build the infrastructure and provide practical recycling systems for Australian families to support” said Mr Rogers.
Contact – Michael Rogers – 0409 648 911
About the AFPA - The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) is made up of Australia’s key fresh produce growers and suppliers. The members include Costa Group, Perfection Fresh, Montague, One Harvest, Pinata Farms, Fresh Select, Mitolo Group, Mackay’s Banana Marketing, Driscoll’s, 2PH Farms, LaManna Premier Group, Rugby Farming, Freshmax and Fresh Produce Group. These businesses represent half the industry turnover of the Australian fresh produce (fruit and vegetables) sector - $4.5 billion of the $9.1 billion total; 1,000 plus growers through commercial arrangements and more than 15,000 direct employees through peak harvest, and up to 25,000 in the grower network.