Unless manufacturers change how they package their products, all we’re doing is rearranging waste, not reducing it,' says Greg Watts.l
URGENT UPDATE: Manufacturers are being called out for their role in Australia’s escalating waste crisis. Greg Watts, CEO of C-Wise, highlights that excessive packaging, particularly oversized boxes with minimal contents, is a major contributor to the nation’s waste problem.
Recent reports confirm that households may be unfairly blamed for waste issues, while manufacturers continue to produce packaging that is not only wasteful but misleading. Australia’s landfills are overflowing with oversized cereal boxes and plastic-wrapped snacks that leave consumers feeling cheated. This packaging trend not only fills bins but also significantly impacts recycling efforts across the country.
Watts emphasizes that without substantial changes from manufacturers, Australia will merely be “rearranging waste,” not reducing it. He points out that consumers are inundated with recycling messages, yet companies persist in selling products in packaging that is far larger than necessary. For example, half-empty bags of chips and oversized boxes of cereal are common, contributing to a waste crisis that is spiraling out of control.
The Australian Packaging Covenant, established under the National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM), aims to hold manufacturers accountable for the environmental impact of their packaging. However, the Covenant currently lacks the enforcement mechanisms needed to prompt real change in how products are packaged. As it stands, there are no mandatory targets ensuring packaging sizes correspond with product volumes.
Watts states, “Until packaging reduction becomes a regulation rather than a mere suggestion, Australia’s waste crisis will persist.” He argues that aligning packaging with actual product volumes could drastically decrease waste, stating, “If manufacturers stopped hiding tiny product volumes inside massive boxes, we’d instantly cut tonnes of waste.”
This problem extends beyond environmental concerns; it also affects supply chains, costs, and company reputations. Excessive packaging leads to increased handling costs, logistical inefficiencies, and diminishes the effectiveness of circular economy initiatives that Australian companies publicly endorse.
Residents across Australia are feeling the repercussions of this packaging crisis firsthand. Full bins lead to contamination in recycling, as individuals resort to improper disposal methods when faced with overflowing waste containers. The contamination of recycling streams is a significant issue, with many recycling efforts failing due to this problem.
Watts’ urgent message is clear: “Australians are doing their best to recycle, sort, and compost, but they cannot fix a system that is designed to fail.” He calls on manufacturers to take responsibility for their packaging choices and to consider the broader implications of their products on the environment.
With the waste crisis intensifying, the time for manufacturers to act is NOW. As this situation develops, consumers are encouraged to voice their concerns and advocate for more responsible packaging practices, ensuring that the burden of waste management does not fall solely on households and councils.
The urgency of addressing this issue cannot be overstated. Australia is at a crossroads, and immediate action is needed to tackle the waste crisis head-on. What happens next will depend on manufacturers’ willingness to adapt and innovate towards more sustainable practices.
