The Government of Western Australia supports the implementation of the National Environmental Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (NEPM) and the Australian Packaging Covenant, which form Australia’s current co-regulatory framework for packaging.
The mandatory national framework creates obligations for liable entities (known as brand owners) to design more sustainable packaging to increase recycling and reduce litter. This includes plastic, glass, paper and cardboard and metal packaging. Under the NEPM, liable brand owners can elect to meet their legislative obligations by becoming a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant or being directly regulated by state and territory governments in each state or territory in which their packaging is sold.
The Australian Packaging Covenant is an industry-led packaging product stewardship scheme administered by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO). For more information about the Covenant go to APCO’s website.
The NEPM is federal legislation created under the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 (NEPC Act). The NEPM is implemented and enforced separately by state and territory governments, who have their own laws and administrative arrangements. For more information about the NEPM and how it is implemented in each state and territory go to Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
For more information about Western Australia’s implementation of the NEPM go to Used packaging obligations for WA businesses.