AIP to continue partnership with Waste Expo Australia

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) continues its partnership with Waste Expo 2023, which will be held from 25–26 October in Melbourne.

Waste Expo Australia is a gathering of waste management and resource recovery professionals and will feature 100+ brands with presence from local and international exhibitors, providing a platform to discover innovations shaping the future of the waste, recycling and resource recovery industry.

The AIP will host a free packaging session on how to embed the 10x Sustainable Packaging Design Principles into business. It will also be moderating a session on organics and compostable packaging recycling and will have a stand (#102) at the exhibition.

Session 1 — Thursday, 26 October

11:00–11:50 am

Theatre 2 (Show Floor)

The Challenges of Organic Recycling, Food Waste and Compostable Packaging

The environmental challenges currently being addressed by the organic recycling industry cover three areas:

1. The reduction of the amount of organic waste going to landfill.
2. Ensuring the full value out of organic waste is achieved.
3. The cutting of greenhouse gas emissions that are currently occurring from food/organic waste going to landfill.

The major focus for reducing the amount of organic waste still going to landfill is food waste recovery through the household/kerbside collections Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO).

Certified compostable packaging also plays a role in assisting the recovery of food waste where the packaging has been contaminated and can’t be recycled. However, composters are faced with challenges in overcoming the government/councils’ concerns with additional contamination occurring with non-certified packaging and fibre packaging that contains chemicals such as PFAS coming through FOGO schemes.

The panel discussion will feature John McKew, National Executive Officer, AORA; Natasza Letowt-Vorbek, National Executive Officer, Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA); Rowan Williams, Global Advocacy and Sustainability, Biopolymers BASF; and moderated by Keith Chessell, FAIP, Education Team, Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP).

All attendees will attain 1 CPD point towards the CPP designation.

Session 2 — Thursday, 26 October

2:05–2:35 pm

Theatre 2 (Show Floor)

Understanding the Value of Embedding Sustainable & Circular Packaging Principles Through Award Winning Best Practice Case Studies

The Sustainable Packaging Guidelines have been designed to optimise packaging to make more efficient use of resources and reduce environmental impact without compromising product quality and safety. They are designed to integrate the Sustainable Packaging Principles into business practices to achieve better outcomes for packaging functionality and to work towards the 2025 National Packaging Targets.

Sustainable Packaging is packaging that is fit for purpose, functional and also has a lower environmental impact compared to conventional packaging. Achieving this can sometimes be challenging, especially when balancing various environmental criteria with functional and commercial considerations.

This session will showcase how to embed SPGs into businesses through award-winning examples. Presenters will include Nerida Kelton FAIP, Executive Director, Australian Institute of Packaging and Vice President Sustainability & Save Food, WPO and Ralph Moyle FAIP, CPP, Education Coordinator, Australian Institute of Packaging.

To register for Waste Expo Australia, visit: https://www.wasteexpoaustralia.com.au/en-gb/register.html.

Image credit: iStock.com/Urbanscape