ARL Marketplace launches to guide small businesses in sustainable packaging
The celebration of this year’s National Recycling Week has been the occasion to launch a new online packaging platform.
Specifically, it is the launch of the ARL Marketplace, which seeks to help small-to-medium businesses (SMEs) get the support they need to navigate packaging sustainability and recycling by providing them access to recycling guidelines set forth by the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL).
The ARL is considered the authoritative labelling system for Australia and New Zealand, providing consumers with easy-to-understand recycling information on packaging. And with the ARL label, customers will be more confident to recycle all parts of their product’s packaging responsibly.
The ARL Marketplace enables SMEs to source packaging from registered suppliers like Pact Group, Zipform Packaging and Labelmakers Group who can help them take action on packaging sustainability and for SMEs to feel confident that they are not misleading customers on the recyclability of their packaging. It also offers educational resources designed to cut through confusion and support SMEs to understand packaging sustainability.
The launch of the ARL Marketplace is the culmination of a two-year education campaign led by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the National Retail Association (NRA) and the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) to help further the understanding of the ARL.
A previous survey found that 65 per cent of Aussies want more information about how to recycle and will buy more from businesses that offer recycling instructions on their packaging.
“We understand that with so many competing responsibilities it can be difficult for small businesses to prioritise sustainability,” said APCO CEO, Chris Foley. “The ARL Marketplace offers Australia’s small businesses an easy way to take action on packaging sustainability and reap the rewards.“
Nerida Kelton, Executive Director, AIP said, “One of the biggest challenges faced by SMEs in our region is access to training and education so that they have the same equal platform to create fit-for-purpose and functional sustainable packaging that has the lowest environmental impacts. The ARL Marketplace provides SMEs with numerous learning modules created by the AIP that ensure that everyone can embed the Sustainable Packaging Design principles and the ARL on all of their packaging.”
Bonnie Marshall, Policy Officer, NRA) said, “The National Retail Association has engaged with thousands of businesses to encourage uptake of the ARL. Applying the ARL on pack will help businesses understand their packaging and what their consumers are looking for. We know there is an increase in consumers looking for more sustainable packaging and the ARL is an easy-to-understand labelling system that removes the confusion around where a product should be placed in the recycling and waste stream.”
Marshall added, “The ARL provides businesses and suppliers the opportunity to undertake an assessment of their packaging, to understand their impact on packaging sustainability and, to source ARL approved packaging, through the ARL Marketplace website.”
Barry Cosier, Director of Sustainability, AFGC said, “The Australian Food and Grocery Council is supportive of all actions that lower the barriers to recycling for businesses and simplifies recycling for consumers. This initiative helps small, busy manufacturers navigate a complex recycling environment and empowers them to make sustainable packaging design choices effortlessly, enriching both their operations and our environment.”
This story was originally published on Inside Small Business
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