AIP selects representative for Plastics Pact action group

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) has announced that it has a representative on the ANZPAC Collective Action Group (ACAG), overseen by the ANZPAC Plastics Pact. Dr Nicole T Garofano, AAIP will be representing the organisation.

The ANZPAC Plastics Pact is a collaborative effort between various organisations with a goal of reducing plastic waste and increasing the amount of plastic that is recycled in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island region. It is part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global Plastics Pact network; these pacts can be found in Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America and each aims to increase plastics recycling in its respective region. The Plastics Pact groups are interested in producing what they call a circular economy for plastic: through the use of recycling, no plastic should become waste or pollution in the future.

Dr Nicole T Garofano’s role will see her cooperating with experts, scientists and industry leaders from across the region.

“This opportunity extends my commitment to create change in the way plastic packaging is generated and managed in the ANZPAC region. My goal is that through AIP representation on the ACAG, members’ expertise can be shared to support the achievement of Pact targets. The collaborative value of being part of the ANZPAC Plastics Pact will also become evident. Having AIP on the ACAG invites industry innovation to support the ANZPAC value chain to further the achievement of a circular economy for packaging in this region.

“For me personally, this role is an exciting continuation of some 16 years of work developing a deep connection to the challenges of managing packaging in complex systems. More specifically, in completing my PhD, I mapped the plastic food and beverage packaging value chain, with reference to small island developing states (SIDS), including Vanuatu. In documenting the findings, I identified challenges of scale and logistics with packaging in SIDS — also evident in Australian and New Zealand rural and regional centres.

“Through AIP membership, I have developed my knowledge and understanding of packaging design, manufacture and use in line with post-consumer management options, and I appreciate the need for localised solutions across contexts. I also appreciate the need for the elimination of unnecessary, problematic and non-recoverable plastics, the place of some plastic in many cases, and the need to adopt a system-wide view to eliminate perverse outcomes.”