EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIAN PACKAGING COVENANT ANNUAL REPORT 2013/14

Transcription

1 EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIAN PACKAGING COVENANT ANNUAL REPORT 2013/14 31 MARCH 2014

2 Executive Summary Expanded Polystyrene Australia (EPSA) is the national industry body for manufacturers and distributors of expanded polystyrene (EPS) products across Australia. EPSA has 17 members, with manufacturing facilities Australia-wide. Members include manufacturers of products ranging from packaging for fresh produce (fruit, vegetables, seafood) through to building and construction applications, such as sandwich panels for insulation and under slab void filler pods as well as raw material resin suppliers. The activities of EPSA are predominantly driven by those of its subgroup sectors: Packaging, Block, Raw Materials and Pod. EPSA recognises the importance of encouraging our members to work with their supply chain partners to meet the objectives of the Australian Packaging Covenant. There are 10 manufacturers of EPS produce boxes and 5 suppliers of the raw material used in the manufacture of these products, all of whom are committed to the success of EPSA s action plan. This Annual Report details the progress EPSA has made to meet the actions outlined in the action plan. EPSA looks forward to enhancing our collaborative partnership with the Australian Packaging Covenant. Becher Townshend Executive Director Expanded Polystyrene Australia Page 1

3 Annual Report Expanded Polystyrene Australia (EPSA) is an Industry Association and as such is not a direct participant within the supply chain. However, the activities undertaken by EPSA (within its Packaging Sector) are aimed at enhancing and optimising the use of EPS packaging - predominantly in the area of fresh, chilled and frozen produce. Goal 1: Design packaging optimised to achieve resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact without compromising product quality and safety In 2009, a major project was initiated by EPSA with the design of the Asper-5 produce box. The goal of this box design is to provide the most sustainable produce packaging option available to Australian supermarkets and reverse the de-selection of EPS packaging for fresh produce. The Asper-5 box clearly demonstrates the environmental benefits of EPS over other packaging options. To date, this Project has developed a uniform EPS packaging system designed to be compatible with the existing supply chain systems of major supermarkets in Australia. This new EPS packaging system has been developed in accordance with the APC Sustainable Packaging Guidelines. KPI 1 Implementation of Sustainable Packaging Guidelines for design or procurement of packaging Communication of Sustainable Packaging Guidelines to EPSA 2011 Commitment by EPSA members to review their packaging systems. EPSA will disseminate information provided by the APC to members, however, it will be up to individual members to integrate the use of the SPG within their manufacturing process % of new packaging to be assessed against SPG % of existing packaging to be assessed against SPG. APC information has been forwarded to EPSA members have committed to implement the SPG s. The ASPER box licensing agreement has been completed and the ASPER box has been launched to members with promotional activities scheduled for the supply chain stakeholders. Goal 2: Recycling the efficient collection and recycling of packaging Over the past 17 years, Expanded Polystyrene Australia has established a National Collection Network to facilitate the collection and recycling of EPS in Australia. Industry appointed EPS Collection Centres now exist in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Canberra. The Melbourne centre has indicated it will cease to operate out of the wholesale markets, but will continue to provide EPS recycling services in EPSA is currently working with possible candidates to establish a successor operation for the market. These Centres were primarily established to service the fresh produce wholesale markets (to ensure that all EPS produce boxes could be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner) however have now expanded to accept all EPS products for recycling. EPSA has established a working party with the Melbourne Market Authority to develop and implement a Page 2

4 solution for EPS packaging collection for the new Epping wholesale markets due to open in late In addition, all EPS manufacturers covered by this Action Plan already have established on-site recovery systems for recycling EPS packaging within their manufacturing facilities. The majority of EPSA members manufacture a wide variety of EPS products and are able to incorporate in-house scrap as well as small amounts of clean post-consumer/industrial scrap into various end products such as waffle pods and block. The EPSA secretariat office has recycling systems in place to handle used packaging (i.e. Paper / cardboard / plastic) and all office paper contains recycled content. EPSA is committed to a Buy Recycled purchasing policy where circumstances allow. KPI 3 Establish on-site recovery systems for recycling used packaging Collection of industry statistics National Collection Network Data needs to be collected on a monthly basis Collection of industry statistics EPSA members Promotion of EPS recycling Previously established collection centres have moved to a commercially stand alone basis where EPS collection data responsibility is in a transitional phase outside of contract requirements. There are current merger and acquisition activities ongoing within the collection / recycle area with new Companies starting up. Collection data for the new organisations requires further focus in 2014/15. EPSA will issue an annual survey to collect data relating to recycling of used packaging from The new EPSA website is currently being developed, which will act as a portal for providing information regarding EPS products and their recyclability and also where to recycle onwards Reporting of data as part of APC Annual Report submission. Replacement of the Vic Recycler has interrupted supply of data. To be reestablished on appointment of new operator onwards Reporting of data as part of APC Annual Report submission. The contract reviews detailed above have emphasised annual reporting July launch date for new EPSA website. Formatting, consistency and accuracy are still problematic and form a priority for 2014/15. Imported EPS data collection from white goods is proving challenging within the supply chain. Annual survey results are provided by Consistency and format per above are areas for improvement; whilst there has been activity in 2013, it is acknowledged that this element has yet to be completed. The EPSA website was launched at the August 2011 AGM and may be found at: The website has been further reviewed and amended in 2014 with further improvements and enhancements planned during the course of the year. Page 3

5 KPI 4 Implementation of policy to buy products made from recycled packaging Implementation of a Buy Recycled policy by EPSA EPSA to formalise this into a written policy for purchasing Formal policy to be adopted by EPSA. EPSA will disseminate its Buy Recycled policy to members however it will be up to individual members to integrate the use of this within their own purchasing process EPSA policy to be communicated to 2014 onwards Commitment by all EPSA members to Buy Recycled where circumstances allow and establish formal, documented policy of buying recycled products or materials. The formal policy has been endorsed by the EPSA board and communicated to Members. In progress through members Companies during 2013 and Goal 3: Product Stewardship a demonstrated commitment to product stewardship by the supply chain and other signatories EPSA and its members have demonstrated a continued commitment to product stewardship through the establishment and ongoing financial support of the National Collection Network. To date, the allocation of subsidies has ensured that all EPS produce boxes can be accepted at the Collection Centres for recycling. Across the National Collection Network, the Collection Centres have implemented a variety of collection programs to source EPS scrap from end users. Some examples include collection cages installed within the fresh produce wholesale markets and also at municipal waste transfer stations, small scale granulation equipment at back of store for large E&E retailers and the supply of scrap bags for ongoing customers. EPSA members also work closely downstream along the supply chain to provide viable recycling options for EPS packaging at end of life. The majority of members accept used EPS packaging (along with other EPS scrap) from both their customers and also from external sources for recycling. EPSA has committed financial and physical resources in 2013 and 2014 to the value of approximately $50,000 specifically to support and develop EPS recovery and recycling. This includes engagement of specialist consultants to lead the process of coordinating professional networks of stakeholders, including nominated recyclers in NSW and Victoria, improvement project discussions and project plans in conjunction with The Australian Packaging Covenant, Sustainability Victoria (SV) and MWMG. This body of work has, to date, included workshops and contributions to the Strategic Planning process in Victoria and NSW through SV and NSW EPA. EPSA has also engaged a professional public relations company, Font PR, to assist with the development of a marketing and communications plan to specifically enhance the education and perception of EPS recycling opportunities and waste management alternatives. Page 4

6 KPI 6 Develop formal processes for working with others to improve design and recycling of packaging Promotion of sustainable design for EPS packaging. EPSA to develop promotional material to assist EPSA Members in promoting the importance of sustainable design to their customers An information fact sheet on sustainable design to be developed in conjunction with the ASPER box launch. The ASPER box project has been launched in 2014 complete with generic sustainability supporting information. KPI 7 Demonstrate other product stewardship outcomes Promotion of product stewardship initiatives. EPSA will develop case studies to showcase product stewardship initiatives by EPSA and its These will be featured on the new EPSA website onwards case studies to be developed on an ongoing basis. Case study scope has expanded to include commercial viability of recovery / recycling. In July 2013 a case study was initiated to include commercial implications and optimisation of alternative technologies. This is due for completion in Q Page 5

7 Member Companies This 2013/14 EPSA APC Annual Report relates to activities of Expanded Polystyrene Australia and its There are 10 manufacturers of EPS produce boxes and 5 suppliers of the raw material used in the manufacture of these products committed to the success of the Australian Packaging Covenant. Manufacturers of produce boxes: Queensland Andpak / Flexifoam PO Box 6437 Toowoomba, QLD 4350 Phone Fax Norfoam PO Box 93 Innisfail, QLD 4860 Phone Fax Norfoam 123 Enterprise Street Bohle, QLD 4818 Phone Polyfoam PO Box 3334 Tingalpa, QLD 4173 Phone Fax Musgrave Road Coopers Plains, QLD 4108 Phone Fax Ultrastak PO Box 557 Bowen, QLD 4805 Phone Fax National Polystyrene Systems 121 Ingram Road Acacia Ridge, QLD 4110 Phone Fax New South Wales Polyfoam Factory 3B M5 Industry Park 1 Morebank Ave Morebank, NSW 2170 Phone Fax Valls Styrene / Styrotec 14 Colliers Avenue Orange, NSW 2800 Phone Fax Chifley Street Smithfield NSW 2164 Phone Fax Foamex 31 Mavis Street Ravensby, NSW 2221 Phone Fax Scalora Bro s PO Box 5 Tooleybuc, NSW, 2736 Phone Fax Page 6

8 Victoria Andpak Koorlong Ave Irymple VIC 3498 Phone Fax Valls Styrene / Vicfoam Barry Rd Coolaroo, VIC 3048 Phone Fax (Head Office) 2-4 Mephan Street West Footscray VIC 3012 Phone Fax Polyfoam (Head Office) 32 Dandenong Street Dandenong, VIC 3175 Phone Fax National Polystyrene Systems 329 St Albans Road Sunshine, Vic 3020 Phone Fax Foamex Gatwick Road Bayswater North, VIC 3153 Phone Fax Ultrastak (Head Office) 14 Quin Drive Swan Hill VIC 3585 Phone Fax Shepparton South Australia Valls Styrene Jury Road Berri, SA 5343 Phone Fax Valls Styrene / Adfoam 70 Woomera Ave Edinburg, SA 5111 Phone Fax Peachey Road Elizabeth West, SA 5113 Phone Fax Foamex 8-10 Waldaree Street Gepps Cross, SA 5094 Phone Fax Western Australia Polystyrene Industries 5 Madison Street Canning Vale WA 6155 Phone Fax Baldwin Street Kewdale WA 6105 Phone Fax Page 7

9 Tasmania Polyfoam 113 Cove Hill Road Bridgewater, TAS 7030 Phone Fax Merino Street Kings Meadows Phone Fax Raw material suppliers: BASF Australia Level 12, 28 Freshwater Place Southbank VIC 3006 Phone Expanz International PO Box 2250 Ivanhoe East VIC 3079 Phone Prime EPS 29 Roslyn Road Belmont VIC 3216 Phone Sanwa Suite 201, 2 ND Floor 100 New South Head Road Edgecliffe NSW 2027 Phone Qenos 471 Kororoit Creek Rd Altona VIC 3018 Phone Other EPSA members: Thermaloc 40 Barfield Crescent Edinburgh North, SA 5113 Phone Hi-Tek Foamworks PO Box 322 Browns Plains QLD 4118 Phone Covenant Contact Officer: Becher Townhsend Executive Director Expanded Polystyrene Australia Suite 24, Fourth Floor, 33 Salamanca Place Hobart Tas 7000 P F BecherT@fontpr.com.au Page 8