Quadpack scores ‘Leading’ APCO sustainability rating in Australia

Efforts to ensure a positive impact on the environment and society are recognised in the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation’s latest report

Quadpack’s sustainability performance rated highly in the 2021 Annual Report of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO). APCO assesses members’ sustainability through indicators such as leadership, packaging outcomes and operations. Members’ ratings are divided into five levels of performance, ranging from ‘getting started’ to ‘beyond best practice’. Quadpack achieved its highest score since joining in 2018, rated Level 4: Leading.

The score reflects the implementation of Quadpack's sustainability strategy, a new framework set in motion at the start of 2020. It aims to ensure a positive impact on the environment and society, through its people, its processes and its products. Quadpack is transforming its QLine product portfolio using life-cycle assessments and escalating levels of sustainability, from basic recyclability, to full circularity. In line with this strategy, Quadpack’s recent product launches feature sustainability attributes like reusability (Regula Airless Refill), biodegradability (Sulapac Nordic Collection by Quadpack) and sustainable materials (Woodacity full-wood fragrance caps).

“We are proud of our new APCO rating. We are making advances in all areas of sustainability and assessments like that of APCO ensure these are transparent. Our journey to positive-impact packaging continues and, as we progress, we strive to achieve a Level 5 rating,” says Jason Smith, Quadpack’s Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand.

Quadpack also supports the 2021 National Plastics Plan and the Australasian Recycling Label, as well as international sustainability initiatives such as the Worldwide New Plastics Pact – Ellen McArthur, the European Plastics Pact, the EU Plastics Strategy (2030), Pacte National sur les Emballages Plastiques (France) and the UK Plastics Pact. All have established 2025 packaging sustainability targets concerning recycled content, effective recycling, reusability, compostability and more.

In Australia, APCO leads the development of a circular economy for packaging, to create a value chain that works together to keep packaging materials out of landfill and retains the maximum value of the materials, energy and labour within the local economy. Smith says: “We encourage beauty brands in Australia to become members of APCO and to commit to Australia’s sustainability initiatives, so we can work together as an ecosystem to achieve sustainable packaging outcomes.”