The Foodservice Suppliers Association Australia (FSAA) has engaged in a strategic partnership with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) in order to “transform” the industry's approach to packaging and waste management.
The FSAA established a think tank in 2021 from the finalists of its scholarship program, with the primary mission stated as “to confront the issue of unsustainable pail use within the foodservice sector”. Although these pails are technically recyclable, a lack of infrastructure has resulted in their improper disposal in landfills.
The think tank set up a pilot program involving collaboration between a restaurant, a distributor and a recycling company to create a viable and sustainable recycling process for the widely used pails in foodservice.
APCO has pledged its support and resources to the project, committing to work alongside the FSAA think tank to ensure the industry is regulation-ready by 2024. The FSAA and APCO are also working together to find a solution for the single-use plastic challenge. A working group has been organised, which includes high-profile businesses, all of which are in a position of leadership that can set the benchmark for positive change.
Minnie Constan, CEO of FSAA said, “The FSAA fosters a culture of collaboration through roundtable discussions, providing a platform for our members to address pressing concerns. These discussions not only identify obstacles, but generate real solutions that can be rolled out to the broader community, emphasising the FSAA’s proactive role in shaping the future of foodservice in Australia.”
As the industry prepares for regulatory changes in 2024, the FSAA says its commitment to education, collaboration, and problem-solving positions it as a leader for positive change, inspiring the foodservice community to collaborate in the pursuit of a more sustainable future.
