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The 2025 National Packaging Targets (the 2025 Targets) are supported by Australian industry and government to deliver a sustainable approach to packaging. They apply to all packaging that is made, used, and sold in Australia. The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is the organisation charged by government to facilitate the delivery of the 2025 Targets, to be achieved by 31 December 2025. 

What is APCO?

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a national regulatory framework under the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (NEPM) that sets out how governments and businesses across Australia share the responsibility for managing the environmental impacts of packaging. Established to lead the industry’s commitment to reducing packaging waste, APCO collaborates with businesses, government, and community groups to achieve the 2025 National Packaging Targets. Through guidance, resources, and a Collective Impact Framework, APCO helps businesses implement more sustainable packaging practices, reduce plastic waste, and contribute to a circular economy. By fostering collaboration, APCO plays a central role in addressing the environmental impacts of packaging in Australia.

The 2025 Targets are:  

• 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging
• 70% of plastic packaging being recycled or composted
• 50% of average recycled content included in packaging (revised from 30% in 2020)
• The phase out of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastics packaging 

First established in 2018, the 2025 Targets require a complete and systemic change to the way Australia creates, collects, and recovers product packaging, and are an important step on Australia’s journey towards a circular economy for packaging. They were developed following industry and government consultation and are in line with ambitious sustainable packaging initiatives being delivered globally. 

The 2025 Targets are supported by the Federal and all Australian State and Territory Governments and were included in the 2019 National Waste Policy Action Plan and the 2021 National Plastics Plan. 

Despite the efforts made by Australian industry, the latest data shows it is unlikely that the 2025 National Packaging Targets will be met by the end of 2025.  

How Australia is tracking towards 2025 

Each year APCO collects benchmark data to assess Australia’s progress towards the 2025 Targets. This data is presented through our annual Consumption & Recovery Data reports, which can be found here. 

While it is unlikely that the Targets will be met by the deadline, businesses must continue to work towards them and implement sustainable action and change. The Targets represent an important step towards a circular economy for packaging and will require ongoing effort and collaboration from industry, government, and the community.  

Significant progress has been made towards the Targets and APCO encourages businesses to build on this momentum to further advance sustainable packaging practices. By working together, Australia can continue to make progress toward a more sustainable future for packaging. 

Figure 1: Progress towards the 2025 Targets as of 2021-22.

Who is responsible for delivering the 2025 Targets? 

There is no silver bullet for solving Australia’s waste and recycling challenges. Everyone has a role to play, and collaboration will be critical for bringing the 2025 Targets to life. APCO’s approach to delivering change – utilising the Collective Impact Framework – is bringing the whole packaging ecosystem, including brand owners, industry, government, community groups and academia, along on the journey. 

Some practical steps stakeholders can take to deliver the 2025 Targets include: 

•  Stay informed: register for the APCO Unpacked newsletter (at the bottom of this webpage). 
• Download Our Packaging Future: learn what role you can play in delivering the 2025 Targets. 

Businesses: 

• Join the APCO Membership community: APCO Members have access to resources and tools to help them at every step of improving their packaging sustainability and meeting the 2025 Targets. 
• Implement the SPGs and the 10 Sustainable Packaging Principles into your packaging operations. 
• Take part in the ANZPAC Plastics Pact and take tangible action on plastic. 
• Join an APCO Working Group. Get involved or ask your industry association how it is supporting the 2025 Targets. 
• Mobilise upper management and staff: every business has a role to play in achieving the 2025 Targets, from training and education to involvement in pilot projects. 
• Supply chain engagement: ask your suppliers what action they are taking to deliver the 2025 Targets. Encourage government and others in your supply chain to purchase recycled content items. 
• Join the ARL Program and use APCO’s resources and messaging to ensure your organisation has a consistent and accurate approach to sustainable packaging communications. 

For consumers: 

• Look for the ARL on products and follow the instructions to recycle correctly. Support those brands with your purchasing power at the cash register. 
• Ask your favourite brands what they are doing to deliver the 2025 Targets and improve their packaging sustainability. 
• Support brands using recycled content and providing packaging that can be recycled or reused. 
• Check out the Planet Ark website for more information on improving your sustainable lifestyle. 

For government:  

• Support the ARL Program: use this resource kit to share information, or find out more about booking a briefing on upcoming program activity. 
• Find out more about how to use recycled content in your infrastructure projects. 
• Support and recognise businesses in your area that are signatories to the Australian Packaging Covenant and are taking action on the 2025 Targets. Encourage other businesses to join APCO to get started. 
• Provides grants to organisations that use, produce or recycle packaging to support them to reduce packaging waste. 

For APCO Members: 

Find resources to support each of the 2025 Targets via the links to the Target 2025 above.