Agar Cleaning Systems is a leading provider of cleaning products to commercial and industrial customers in Australia. As a company committed to sustainability, we have recently become a member of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and its vision of developing a circular economy for packaging in Australia.
At Agar, we understand that sustainability is not just about protecting the environment, but also about ensuring a future for our company and our community. As a family-run company, we have a long-term perspective on our business and understand the importance of making responsible choices to ensure the sustainability of our operations.
About APCO
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia.
Their vision is a packaging value chain that collaborates to keep packaging materials out of landfill and retains the maximum value of the materials, energy and labour within the local economy.
APCO is committed to delivering Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets, and Agar supports these targets through our participation in their initiatives.
The Impacts of Virgin Plastics
One of the key reasons why APCO is important is because of the impact of virgin plastics on the environment. Virgin plastics, which are made from non-renewable resources, are a major contributor to the global plastic waste crisis. They take hundreds of years to break down in the environment and can harm wildlife and ecosystems in the meantime.
In addition, the production of virgin plastics contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental problems. Our industry, along with most industries, faces many issues when it comes to packaging. While there is a necessity to package our products safely, there are steps we are actively taking towards a circular economy that reduces our reliance on virgin plastics and mitigates their impacts on the environment.
The Benefits of a Circular Economy for Packaging
A circular economy for packaging is one in which materials are kept in use for as long as possible and waste is minimised. This is achieved by designing products for recyclability, improving collection and recycling systems, and expanding markets for used packaging.
Agar contributes to a circular economy by providing recyclable packaging for all our products. By building a circular economy, we can reduce waste, conserve resources, and create new business opportunities. In addition, recycling and recovery systems can create new jobs and contribute to economic growth.
Joining APCO can help Agar play a role in building this circular economy. Through collaboration with other stakeholders, we can share knowledge and resources, develop new innovations and technologies, and work towards a common goal of sustainability.
Our Impact
We are committed to meeting APCO’s reporting obligations and publishing an annual report outlining our performance against all of our action plan commitments – the first of which can be found in our APCO Annual Report & Action Plan 2023.
As a family-run company committed to sustainability, we are continuing to work towards improving for our 2024 obligations and look forward to sharing our journey. By becoming a member of APCO, we can demonstrate our commitment to building a circular economy for packaging in Australia and work towards a sustainable future for our company, our community, and future generations.
