The overarching Covenant targets were developed to provide a way to measure performance in key areas that will clearly demonstrate whether or not the Covenant is meeting its goals and contributing to improved lifecycle management of packaging.
The year 2005 to 2006 is the first time the Covenant has reported progress against its targets and it has highlighted some deficiencies in the current processes established for data collection.
A number of the concerns expressed in the original Gap Analysis also remain, particularly National Environment Protection Measures reporting and uncertainty about the quantities of packaging on imported finished goods.
To develop a relevant comparison of Covenant performance against the data used as its baseline and to report on progress against the targets, the Covenant Council commissioned an update of the Gap Analysis.
By combining publicly available data and information obtained from industry representatives, the Gap Analysis report helped to quantify packaging material flows and identify inconsistencies in data collection.
The 2007 update applied the same methodology as the original with the benefit of more recent and robust data.
The results for the year are promising although there is still a lot of work to be done if the Covenant is going to reach the overall recycling rate target of 65% by 2010.
Data provided by the updated Gap Analysis indicates that the current recycling rate is approximately 56%, which is an improvement on the 48% baseline in 2003 used to establish the Covenant targets.
While these results are encouraging, there are still a number of data issues to be addressed if the Covenant’s progress is to be measured effectively.
The full results for 2005/06 are shown in the table below.
Percentage recycling for targets 1 and 2 measured in 2003 and 2005, with projected results for 2010.
2003 2005 2010
Target 1
Paper & Cardboard 64% 66% 70—80%
Glass 35% 44% 50—60%
Steel 44% 38% 60—65%
Aluminium 63% 71% 70—75%
Plastics 21% 30% 30—35%
Overall Recycling Rate 48% 56% 65%
Target 2
“Non-Recyclables” 10% 23% 25%
Target 3
Packaging to Landfill (Tonnes) 1,820,000 1,855,800 1,820,000
This recycling performance has also been modeled using the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change's (DEC’s) Environmental Benefits of Recycling Calculator (DEC 2006) to show its indicative contribution to greenhouse gas, energy and water savings.
This modelling shows that the tonnages of packaging recycled in 2005 delivered an annual net benefit equal to 6.5 million m3 of landfill space saved; 1.4 million tonnes CO2-equivalent saved; 352,000 cars removed from roads; and 19,792 Olympic pools’ worth of water saved.
The ability of the Covenant to clearly demonstrate progress depends on the continuing collaboration and cooperation across all sectors, as well as the collection and reporting of robust and reliable data in the production, use and end-of-life management of packaging.
This will drive the continued involvement of both industry and governments.
A key focus for the coming months is the completion of the independent Covenant website and the development of a comprehensive communications strategy.
In light of the first year results, the Covenant key performance indicators will be reviewed to ensure they are still relevant and that all signatories are collecting and reporting data in a consistent manner.
For more information, please contact Ed Cordner.
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