The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is pleased to advise that the Institute has a representative on the ANZPAC Plastics Pact newly-formed Collective Action Group (ACAG). The member nominated and accepted to represent the AIP for Australia and New Zealand is Dr Nicole T Garofano, AAIP.
The ANZPAC Plastics Pact (ANZPAC) is a collaborative solution that brings together key players behind a shared vision of a circular economy for plastic, where plastic never becomes waste or pollution. Together through shared knowledge, investment and industry led innovation we will implement solutions tailored to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands region.
ANZPAC, covering Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island Countries, is the first in the Oceania region and second regional Plastics Pact to become part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global Plastics Pact network, with Pacts in Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America. As an international challenge, Plastics Pacts address the transnational nature of the issues related to managing plastic by providing a consistent approach for global supply chains dealing with plastic waste travelling across our borders, moving from a linear approach to a circular economy for plastic, in which it never becomes waste or pollution.
Nerida Kelton MAIP, Executive Director, AIP said that ‘Dr Nicole T Garofano is the ideal AIP representative for Australia and New Zealand, on the ANZPAC Plastics Pact ACAG,”
“Many people are not aware that Nicole spent eight years living and working in a small island developing states (SIDS) (Barbados). This was followed by another seven researching SIDS globally, including four specifically focused on the plastic food and beverage packaging value chain as part of her PhD. This provides particular experience that will be so valuable in the ACAG role,” Mrs Kelton said.
“Nicole’s passion is to contribute to change in the global packaging space to deliver equitable consumption and post-consumption experiences across all situations – SIDS, developing countries, remote areas in developed countries, and cities – so that all packaging is designed for reductions in food waste and, post-consumption, can be considered a resource rather than waste.” she said.
Dr Garofano added that ‘Being accepted as a member of the ANZPAC Collective Action Group (ACAG) as the AIP representative for Australia and New Zealand is such a privilege and a thrill,’
“This opportunity extends my commitment to create change in the way plastic packaging is generated and managed in the ANZPAC region. My goal is that through AIP representation on the ACAG, members expertise can be shared to support the achievement of Pact targets. The collaborative value of being part of the ANZPAC Plastics Pact will also become evident. Having AIP on the ACAG invites industry innovation to support the ANZPAC value chain to further the achievement of a circular economy for packaging in this region,” Dr Garofano said.
“For me personally, this role is an exciting continuation of some 16 years of work developing a deep connection to the challenges of managing packaging in complex systems. More specifically, in completing my PhD, I mapped the plastic food and beverage packaging value chain, with reference to small island developing states (SIDS), including Vanuatu. In documenting the findings, I identified challenges of scale and logistics with packaging in SIDS – also evident in Australian and New Zealand rural and regional centres,” Nicole explained.
“Through membership with the AIP, I have developed my knowledge and understanding of packaging design, manufacture, and use in line with post-consumer management options, and, I appreciate the need for localised solutions across contexts. I also appreciate the need for the elimination of unnecessary, problematic, and non-recoverable plastics, the place of some plastic in many cases, and the need to adopt a system-wide view to eliminate perverse outcomes.” Nicole said.
The AIP congratulates Dr Nicole Garofano, AAIP on this appointment and looks forward to seeing outcomes that will benefit the region.
For more information on the ANZPAC Plastics Pact https://anzpacplasticspact.org.au/