About Us

The Packaging Council of Australia (PCA) was formed in 1978 and is based in Melbourne. It is the national industry association and the voice of the Australian packaging industry.

The PCA is represented on a number of organisations of importance to the packaging industry, including GS1 Australia (the Australian Product Number Association), as well as various Committees of Standards Australia.

National Packaging Covenant

The packaging industry is a major supporter of the National Packaging Covenant. In this agreement all spheres of Government and the packaging industry in Australia work together to make further increases in the recycling and recyclability of packaging as well as improvements in design and recovery systems. This Covenant has been a major issue for the PCA over the past five years and will continue to remain a large focus of the PCA activities in the years to come.

Education

The PCA recognises that packaging issues are the responsibility of all levels of government, industry as well as the general public. The PCA, whose members come from all levels of the supply chain, is in a unique position to provide the public with a better understanding of the roles, benefits and issues regarding packaging. We are committed to assisting others use this information to make well-informed decisions and opinions regarding packaging in our modern world.

Objectives

The objectives of the PCA are as follows:

1. To actively promote the benefits of packaging, including the financial and employment significance of the packaging industry to governments, educationalists, retailers, the media and the overall community.
   
   
2. To make submissions to appropriate government inquiries which may impact on the future opportunities of the packaging industry.
   
   
3. To effectively lead and participate in the environmental debate concerning the packaging industry, particularly in the areas of resource conservation, litter reduction, solid waste management, waste minimisation and recycling.
   
   
4. To co-ordinate the combined interests of the packaging industry, its suppliers and customers in any activities where collective representation is desirable.
   
   
5. To conduct education and training programs to improve the technical skills of individuals and companies engaged in the packaging industry.
   
   
6. To conduct technical meetings, conferences and exhibitions aimed at promoting excellence in packaging and improving the awareness and understanding of packaging and its role in our modern and developing society.
   
   
7. To ensure that PCA members, governments and relevant groups interested in packaging are well informed on all major issues, achievements and actions.
   
   
8. To establish and maintain relationships with other packaging related bodies in Australia and overseas and bring together organisations with common interests to exchange technical and other relevant information.