The NEW Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) Excellence Award recognises the organisations from across Australia and New Zealand who have demonstrated an outstanding effort in implementing the ARL across their packaging portfolio. 

This award honours the highest performing APCO Member who submitted either a Full Report or an SME Report by 31 March 2024. The award is given based on report score and report content – for example, those with more detail in the report which tell stories and support the 2025 National Packaging Targets.

The Consumer Education award seeks exceptional education campaigns on packaging sustainability, specifically targeting individual consumers. These campaigns may include marketing campaigns for the Australasian Recycling Label, conducting workshops or webinars on packaging sustainability, or other campaigns targeting individual consumers. These campaigns must have been conducted during the 2023/24 period.

Please note that if your campaign primarily targets business education, you are encouraged to apply for the Industry Education award.

The Improved Recycling Systems Award celebrates groundbreaking innovations in, but not limited to, recycling and reprocessing systems and/or processes. This category seeks out achievements in mechanical, advanced and/or organic (composting) recycling methods.

The Industry Education award celebrates outstanding educational campaigns that target packaging sustainability within their supply chain. These campaigns must have been conducted during 2023/24 and can employ digital delivery methods or face to face interactions. Campaigns can be implemented internally within the organisation, or externally involving business, stakeholder and suppliers. 

Please note that if your campaign primarily targets individual consumer-facing education, you are encouraged to apply for the Consumer Education award.

The Recycled Content Award celebrates exceptional leadership in the increased utilisation of recycled content in packaging within Australia, New Zealand, and/or the Pacific Islands. This category highlights organisations that have demonstrated innovative and unique approaches to incorporating recycled materials into their packaging.

This award celebrates outstanding examples of reusable packaging systems in Australia. The Reuse category focuses on packaging that demonstrates its capability of accomplishing a minimum number of trips or reuse cycles within its lifecycle, using a purposefully designed system of reuse for the same application. For more information, visit our QuickStart guide.

The SPGs Implementation Award celebrates organisations that have demonstrated how their organisation has successfully integrated the Sustainable Packaging Principles of the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPGs) into their packaging and business practices. This award recognises effective processes that have resulted in significant utilisation of the SPGS and implementation of sustainable packaging changes.

This award celebrates individuals who are making a tangible impact on sustainable packaging in Australia. It celebrates proactivity and leadership in packaging circularity including improvements in recycling, education and research and development.