Sustainable packaging can feel overwhelming because the goalposts and acronyms keep moving. Here is a practical starting point for Australian brands.
Know the key players
- APCO (the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation) sets the national framework and the National Packaging Targets that most brands are measured against.
- The ARL (Australasian Recycling Label) tells shoppers how to dispose of each component. Getting it right requires checking your materials against the program rather than guessing.
Start with the material and the format
The biggest sustainability decisions are made before any graphics exist: the substrate, the format and whether the pack can be recycled in kerbside collection. A designer who raises these early will save you far more than one who treats them as an afterthought.
Make claims you can defend
Only claim what is true and specific. The ACCC has signalled close attention to greenwashing, so woolly statements like simply "eco-friendly" are a risk. Tie any claim to evidence and the correct labelling.
Practical first moves
- Audit your current pack against the ARL before you redesign.
- Ask suppliers for recyclable or recycled-content options at quoting stage.
- Design the disposal story into the artwork, not onto it later.
You do not have to solve everything at once. One honest, well-labelled improvement beats a pack covered in green claims it cannot support.
General information to help you plan, not legal or professional advice. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant body or your designer before you print.