Supplementary Agenda of City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Item No. 11

Supplementary Agenda (Open Portion)

City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Page 4

22/5/2019

REPORT TITLE: Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation - Food Packaging 'Round Table' Workshop - Invitation to Participate

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Cleansing & Solid Waste Policy Coordinator

Manager Cleansing and Solid Waste

Director City Amenity

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. The purpose of this report is to advise of an invitation from the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) to participate in a national ‘round table’ workshop on food service packaging guidelines.

1.2. A workshop into food service packaging has direct links with the City’s Draft Single Use Plastic By Law, and Waste Management Strategy 2015-2030.

2. Report Summary

2.1. The City has received an invitation to participate in a workshop on food service packaging guidelines, coordinated by the Australian Packaging covenant Organisation (APCO).

2.2. The workshop will include stakeholders from all tiers of government and the food service supply chain with the intent to discuss and facilitate a coordinated approach to reducing the impact of food service packaging.

2.3. The workshop date, format, and agenda is yet to be finalised, however it will be held in Sydney, on 19 or 20 June 2019.

2.4. The APCO consider the City can make a valuable contribution to the outcomes of the workshop given the City’s success in adopting relevant by-laws and working with stakeholders to phase out single-use plastic from events such as Salamanca Market and the Taste of Tasmania.

2.5. It is recommended that the Council accept the invitation to attend the workshop and be represented by the Lord Mayor or her delegate.

2.6. Further detailed information on the City’s various plastic waste reduction programs will be provided to the attendee by City Officers.

3. Recommendation

That

1. The Council accept an invitation from the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) to participate in a national workshop on food service packaging guidelines, scheduled to be held in Sydney on 19 or 20 June 2019, with the City to be represented by the Lord Mayor, or her delegate.

(i) The cost of attendance, beyond any financial assistance provided by the workshop organiser, be funded from the City’s Waste Strategy and Projects Budget Function within the Annual Plan

4. Background

4.1. On Tuesday 4 May 2019 the City received an invitation to attend and participate in a workshop on food service packaging guidelines, coordinated by the Australian Packaging covenant Organisation (APCO).

4.2. The invitation outlines an offer to participate in an APCO workshop on food service packaging guidelines, which will bring together key stakeholders from all levels of government and the food service supply chain to identify challenges and opportunities in facilitating a coordinated and evidenced approach to reducing the impact of food service packaging.

The APCO cited the City’s experience and success in adopting relevant by-laws and working with local stakeholders to phase out single-use plastic from Salamanca Market and the Taste of Tasmania festival, as indicators the City would make a valuable contribution to the outcomes of the workshop.

4.3. The APCO is a co-regulatory, not for profit organisation that partners with government and industry to reduce the harmful impact of packaging on the Australian Environment. It has over 1,400 members, and promotes sustainable packaging activities, sustainable design, and recycling initiatives.

4.4. A key output of the APCO has been the development of their Sustainable Packaging Guidelines, provided to their members. The guidelines provide advice and instruction to reduce the environmental impact of packaging without compromising quality and safety. Sustainable design strategies within the guidelines include water and energy efficiency, use of recycled materials, through to designing for transport, recovery, and litter reduction.

4.5. The APCO have been closely monitoring the City’s developments in the plastic waste reduction space, and has been in contact with City Officers both during the development of the Single Use Plastics By-law, and following its initial Council endorsement.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. It is proposed that Council accept the invitation from the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) to attend a ‘round table’ workshop on food service packaging guidelines, with the City to be represented by the Lord Mayor, or her delegate.

5.2. The workshop will be held in Sydney, on 19 or 20 June 2019. Exact date, time and location is yet to be provided

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. The workshop aims to reduce waste and environmental harm, and has relevance to the implementation of the Waste Management Strategy 2015-2030, identified in the City’s Strategic Plan (3.2.5).

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. It is expected that funding for attendance at the workshop including airfares, transport to the workshop venue, accommodation, and incidentals be covered by the event organiser.

If costs are to be incurred by the City, these can be attributed to Budget Function 240 - Waste Strategy and Projects.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. N/A.

8. Environmental Considerations

8.1. Attendance at this workshop will provide the City the opportunity to help shape the future of the food packaging landscape, to increase sustainability and reduce environmental harm on a national scale.

9. Marketing and Media

9.1. There may be marketing and media interest in the outcomes of the workshop.

10. Delegation

10.1. The matter is delegated to the Council

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

Jeff Holmes

Cleansing & Solid Waste Policy Coordinator

David Beard

Manager Cleansing and Solid Waste

Glenn Doyle

Director City Amenity

Date: 21 May 2019

File Reference: F19/57916