Industry tackles waste
Managing the product life cycle has turned into one of the packaging industry’s primary challenges, but handled correctly, this experience could reverse the sector’s often poor public profile writes Packaging magazine deputy editor Matthew Levinson.
A draft report from the Productivity Commission on Waste Generation and Resource Efficiency in Australia said Australians generate more solid waste per capita than other OECD countries.
At the same time, it reported Australia makes less use of technologies and processes to avoid, reduce and recover waste than other OECD countries.
Whether by encouraging material efficiency, reducing the generation of waste or enabling the recovery and reuse of discarded material, action to reduce waste is a critical part of sustainable development.
This is essential for an industry severely affected by its poor public profile.
Recruiting
It is important to consider whether these tasks should be kept in house or outsourced.
Colorpak managing director Alex Commins said this is the first question a business needs to answer with regard to packaging waste management.
“A third party will take control of documentation, output level reporting, cost monitoring and new statutory requirements.
“Generally speaking, all but the largest corporations can successfully perform these functions in house, with qualified people to educate staff and drive change.”
“Most companies will have existing providers of recycling services - for example an Amcor or a Visy - and it is important to use these existing contacts to build a network of service providers.
“Also, any reputable supplier will be able to explain your statutory requirements under the law when disposing of their products.
“A final bit of advice: never assume any item needs to go into general waste; these days there are few items that can’t be recycled.
Waste streams
Colorpak has long been involved with recycling the packaging waste streams most people are familiar with such as steel, aluminium, wood pulp and plastics, according to Commins.
They now control liquid waste treatment and disposal with an accredited provider.
“Our biggest problems in the past, of all things, were ink tins, due to the residue at the bottom,” he said.
“At one stage we were working with an ink company to try and develop a disposable can!
“However, as with so many other packaging elements technology has advanced and overtaken this problem.”
3M Australia corporate responsibility officer Michael Campbell said his company deals with a wide variety of waste, including paper and fibre-board, plastic wrap and containers, glass bottles, and metal containers such as steel and aluminium.
“The main challenges have been obtaining accurate weight and/or volume data from our waste service provider for each of the various waste streams they collect,” he said, “and overcoming obstacles in moving waste around the site because it was not considered in the original site design.”
Above and beyond its economic and environmental costs on society, waste is a very real expression of inefficient processes.
Plan, plan, plan
A successful packaging waste management system needs good planning.
Companies looking to set up a system should plan carefully, involve people, train everyone, reinforce regularly, measure and report, according to Campbell.
“Plan as far ahead as you can before beginning any processes,” he said.
“If you are in the fortunate position of being able to design a site, building or buildings prior to operations beginning, all the better.”
“Involve and consult those people who produce, collect, move and dispose of the waste, they will often have practical ideas and solutions to waste management problems.
“Highlight the benefits of effective waste management for each individual, the company and the community.
“Reinforce the waste management processes on a regular basis to capture new employees and keep people mindful of correct processes.
“Report regularly on the process, highlighting the positive outcomes such as reduction of waste produced, reduction in waste to landfill, increases in recycling rates and cost savings.
“Measure the amounts of waste that are collected in each waste stream and the costs involved.
“Analyse this data for trends and report the findings.”
24-May-2006