Turning Australian Regulations into Opportunities for Greener Packaging

Foopak Bio Natura is certified by the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) for compostability, meeting AS4736 standards for industrial composting and AS5810 standards for home composting. This helps businesses, especially those in the food and beverage industry, comply with sustainability regulations more effectively.

Progress on Australia’s National Packaging Targets

With a 2025 deadline for the National Packaging Targets, Australia is moving toward 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging. Businesses must take strategic action to ensure compliance and support a sustainable future.

“It is time for many businesses to do more to reduce the impact of their packaging and improve its recoverability,” said Chris Foley, Chief Executive of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO).

However, progress has been slower than anticipated. While efforts have been made since the targets were established in 2018, some goals may not be fully achieved by the deadline. Key challenges remain, particularly in increasing the recycling rate of plastic packaging and incorporating more recycled content into new materials.

How Foopak Bio Natura Helps Australia Achieve 100% Sustainable Packaging

Foopak Bio Natura offers a sustainable packaging solution for Australian businesses, providing recyclable and compostable paperboard designed for direct food and beverage applications. Its certifications include:

Food and beverage safety:FDA and European Union compliance
High temperature migration conformity:BfR XXXVI
Recyclability:EN 13432 certification
Compostability:AS 4736 (industrial composting) and AS 5810 (home composting)

Foopak Bio Natura Product Range

The flagship paperboard product, Foopak Bio Natura, offers a range of options to meet diverse packaging needs:

Foopak Bio Natura (BO) one side coating
Foopak Bio Natura (BG) two side asymmetric coating
Foopak Bio Natura (BT) two side coating

What Lies Ahead for Australia’s Packaging?

Below, we will explore the future trajectory of packaging in Australia.

Paperboard Market Outlook

The Australian paper and paperboard packaging market is projected to reach 6.90 billion tonnes by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.33% from 2025 to 2030. Its versatility, affordability, and eco-friendly properties make paperboard packaging a favored option across multiple industries.

Regulatory Framework and Compliance Measures

Australia’s National Packaging Targets (NPT) are voluntary, meaning businesses face no direct penalties for non-compliance. However, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) oversees the Australian Packaging Covenant, requiring businesses with an annual turnover of $5 million or more to either become signatories to support national packaging waste management efforts or comply with specific regulatory obligations.

In New South Wales, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) enforces packaging stewardship, mandating that brand owners recover, reuse, and recycle materials while informing consumers about proper disposal. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to $22,000 for corporations and $11,000 for individuals.

Foopak Bio Natura is the Future of Sustainable Packaging in Australia

Foopak Bio Natura is distributed worldwide, including in Australia, and is widely used for various applications such as food containers, hot and cold beverage cups, and paper straws. Made from certified wood sources, this high-performance paperboard offers both sustainability and reliability. Learn more by clicking here.