Spotlight on Sustainability

Navigating the Transition: Packaging compliance updates for Soft Plastics Recycling

Trade Partners are reminded to update soft plastics packaging to remove references to REDcycle and old ARL styles by 1 July 2025, including online product images, as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) expects of Brand Owners following REDcycle’s collapse in November 2022. 

ARLs and logos that should no longer be used:

APCO members can consult APCO’s guidance and consider using the ‘Check Locally’ ARL for recyclable soft plastics.

To update or remove product images, follow the standard article and image update process via Partner Hub or Third Party data providers. 

If you have any questions or need further assistance, reach out to your Category teams.

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A circular economy for packaging: progress and support in an evolving landscape

Display of the ARL (Australaisian Recycling Label) on-pack is also growing, which is very positive. There are now more than 500,000 products sold in Australia (across all channels including Supermarkets) displaying the ARL.  The ARL plays a critical role in helping customers recycle correctly, which is essential for packaging circularity. 

We are committed to supporting our Trade Partners in improving the sustainability of their packaging, and preparing for future regulatory requirements, by phasing out the most problematic and difficult-to-recycle materials from their packaging, and aligning to our No-Deforestation policy. 

The latest version of our Primary (Consumer) Packaging Preferred Materials listing (available along with other guidance on the Packaging Guidance page on Partner Hub) contains new detail on how to ensure paper and cardboard packaging aligns to our No-Deforestation policy. It also continues to separate the materials, components and additives that should be the highest priority for removal into the ‘black’ section (which is the section used for materials covered by current or future regulatory requirements and/or APCO’s phase-out list). 

We continue to strongly encourage Trade Partners to remove these most problematic materials. This will help remove contaminants from recycling, improve the ease of recycling packaging, and the quality of the recycled product available on the market to support the transition to a circular economy for packaging.

Removing these materials will also help ensure readiness for and reduce the impact of any future regulation of problematic materials, and help Trade Partners with a less impactful transition if Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) service fees (differentiated fees by material type based on how problematic it is and volume placed on market) are implemented by APCO in the future. 

Finally, we encourage Trade Partners to consider opportunities to reduce material usage including virgin plastic, and increase use of recycled content in their logistics packaging (e.g. SFP, shippers, pallet wrap etc), with guidance available on Partner Hub. To ensure our Supply Chain standards are not compromised by these changes, our Primary Connect Supplier Capability team can provide advice and support tests/trials of packaging changes through the supply chain. You can reach them at [email protected]. 

If you have further questions, you can contact the team at [email protected]. We will continue to keep Trade Partners updated as the landscape for packaging reform evolves. 

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No-deforestation – working together for a better tomorrow

As shared in the last edition of Curated, Woolworths Group has a new No-Deforestation goal. 

We aim to source commodities for both own brand and vendor brand products including paper, pulp & timber (PPT), palm oil, cocoa, soy in stockfeed (prioritising chicken meat), and fresh Australian beef to a No-Deforestation standard from

Deforestation is a key contributor to emissions, so this change reflects important progress in aiming for net zero. Working with farmers, suppliers, industry and government is crucial as we strive for a sustainable food industry for a better tomorrow.

As we move towards our target date of 31 December 2025, we encourage Trade Partners  to review the Woolworths Group No-Deforestation policy and guidance, understand their commodity use and take steps to align to the policy position. Please note, beef is not covered in the current policy, as we continue to consult with industry on an appropriate approach, which reflects our unique Australian context.

Woolworths is progressively engaging key Trade Partners in relevant categories to understand their current status and policy alignment plans. 

We are offering weekly information sessions (register via this link on Partner Hub) for Trade Partners to learn more about this aim and ask questions, and can ask questions or seek guidance at any time via [email protected].  We are keen to understand the areas of progress and the challenges that our Trade Partners are facing as they explore this area and understand how we may be able to support and influence change together. 

Woolworths is committed to working with Trade Partners and industry partners to achieve deforestation free supply chains. We will work to ensure a fair and supportive transition, especially for smaller Trade Partners. Consideration will be given to individual Trade Partners’ circumstances, particularly regarding existing assortments, where time or other adjustments may be reasonably necessary for ranges to transition. 

We appreciate your partnership and look forward to collaborating with you to build a more sustainable future. 

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PFAS Chemicals Legislation now in effect

In recent months, we have been working with Trade Partners in categories with products identified as more likely to be impacted by these bans to support their confirmation of readiness for the regulations. 

If you have any concerns regarding your readiness for these bans, or need any further support, please reach out to your Category teams in the first instance.