Used packaging
The Australian Packaging Covenant
The Australian Packaging Covenant is a voluntary initiative negotiated by industry and agreed to by all levels of government. It is aimed at reducing the environmental effects of packaging. Companies that have signed the covenant prepare and implement action plans to take responsibility for the environmental impact and the ultimate disposal of their packaging.
- Australian Packaging Covenant and case studies on covenant signatories along with general information and publications.
- APC Packaging Line is an enquiries and complaint service provided by the Australian Packaging Covenant.
- Covenant Funded Projects – the APC Secretariat is responsible for the provision of project management services. Application forms and guidelines for Australian Packaging Covenant project funding can be downloaded from the Australian Packaging Covenant website.
Compulsory reporting for councils
As per the requirements of the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2012 (NEPM) it is compulsory for all Councils that provide kerbside recycling facilities for community use to complete a kerbside recycling report.
Under the Australian Packaging Covenant, the NEPM was adopted, leading to the enactment of South Australia's Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Policy (EPP) on 13 December 2012. The EPP requires councils to submit recycling statistics annually.
If your council provides a kerbside recycling service to the community you will be required to complete the attached reporting template. Instructions on how to fill in the template on the LGA User Guide.
Each council report must be sent to the EPA by email or facsimile to:
Project Officer
Regulatory Reform Projects
Environment Protection Authority
Phone: (08) 8204 2682
Fax: (08) 8124 4673
Email (mark attention Kerryn Suthern)
The due date for recycling reports for the reporting period covering the 2016–17 financial year is 15 September 2017.
National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011
Participating jurisdictions are required to seek reports from each local government council in which a kerbside recycling collection service or other municipal materials recovery system is provided, for each financial year.
Reports on Local Government Data for South Australia
- 2014–15 NEPC Annual Report - Local Government Data
- 2013–14 NEPC Annual Report - Local Government Data
- 2012–13 NEPC Annual Report - Local Government Data
- 2011–12 NEPC Annual Report - Local Government Data
Used packaging materials environment protection policy
To ensure that covenant signatories are not disadvantaged in the marketplace and to encourage participation, the Covenant framework includes a regulatory instrument, the National Environmental Protection Measure (NEPM) for Used Packaging Materials. This was established by the National Environment Protection Council and is implemented by mirrored legislation in each state and territory, such as SA’s Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Policy 2012.
Government of South Australia Australian Packaging Covenant Action Plan 2010-15
The Government of South Australia is committed to and actively participates in the development and implementation of the Australian Packaging Covenant. It subscribes to the overarching objectives and targets set out by the covenant and accepts responsibility for the environmental impacts associated with its own activities. As a signatory to the covenant, the government acknowledges its commitment to realising these targets through the implementation of the Australian Packaging Covenant Action Plan – July 2010 to June 2015.