packaging  appointments 
Government ministers have agreed to extend the Packaging Covenant and the NEPM to 2005. The extension will allow for broad consultation on future Covenant arrangements. Ministers also maintained their commitment to the Code of Practice on the management of plastic bags. Ministers agreed to an interim extension of the Covenant until April 2005 at the meeting of the Environment Protection Heritage Council (EPHC). At the meeting there was very little discussion about the Covenant amongst ministers. The local government representative stressed the negatives of the local government review but also made it clear that local government wanted to play an active role in future discussions.

This interim extension will allow broad consultation amongst all stakeholders to find the best way to continue the "excellent cooperation" between governments and industry in the sustainable management of packaging waste.

According to the ministers’ communiqué issued after the meeting in Adelaide, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council took a significant step towards protecting the community from harmful pollutants by endorsing a National Environment Protection Measure for air toxics. The Measure includes a guideline and protocols to monitor and report on five air toxics: benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, toluene and xylenes. These air toxics have been shown to be responsible for a range of health problems, including asthma, respiratory illnesses and cancer.

Current Australian data on these pollutants is limited. The ministers believe this new Measure will provide a much improved information source for both policy-makers and the public on important air quality issues. It will help prioritise and evaluate the effectiveness of air quality programs. It will also provide a sound database for future studies of the risks posed by these air toxics to the health of all Australians.

At the meeting the ministers recognised the contribution over the five year life-span of the National Packaging Covenant and the Used Packaging Materials National Environment Protection Measure in reducing waste at all stages of the packaging supply chain, from raw material through to retailers, consumers and recycling.

Recent reviews demonstrate the Covenant has been a qualified success and has increased recycling overall, but it the ministers say it needs to be strengthened if it is to continue.

Ministers agreed to an interim extension of the Covenant and NEPM to 2005. This interim extension will allow broad consultation amongst all stakeholders to find the best way to continue the excellent cooperation between Australian, State and Territory governments and industry in the sustainable management of packaging waste.

The EPHC decision allows for the Covenant to be extended until 30 April 2005. A detailed proposal for future arrangements is to be developed in time for an EPHC teleconference in July. In addition, the NEPM will be extended until July 2005.

The Packaging Council of Australia says the EPHC communique is interesting, in that it also refers to waste management policies for tyres and electrical waste and foreshadows that, in line with the Covenant approach, regulatory safety net options will be developed to catch any manufacturers and/or importers who did not participate.

On the plastic bags issue; Ministers agreed to maintain their commitment to the current Code of Practice put forward by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and to evaluate the trends evident in plastic bag usage in the next (July) report. The West Australian Minister’s support for a ban on plastic bags was not endorsed by other Ministers. Discussions to phase out lightweight single-use carry bags (as foreshadowed following the August 2003 EPHC meeting) are to commence shortly.