Planet Ark's work towards implementing a circular economy in Australia, with Dr Nicole Garofano - a podcast by PKN Editor

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, managing editor & publisher of PKN Packaging News, talks with Dr Nicole Garofano, head of circular economy development at Planet Ark, about her career, Planet Ark's involvement in Australia's circular economy and more.

Nicole starts by talking about her career to date which has included working in Barbados to establish the annual Clean Up Barbados initiative, a green business program and a community recycling initiative, which led to her interest in packaging. Her interest then developed into a PhD study in plastic packaging in island developing states and the issues encountered replicating the Barbados model to the Pacific islands.

The discussion moves on to Planet Ark's circular economy initiatives, including their product stewardships, community awareness programs and the creation of the Australian Circular Economy Hub to provide a knowledge base to help Australian companies with their transitions. Nicole discusses the ACE Hub's progress in its first year, its structure and its outputs to date, including a Collaboration Portal that will soon be released to the general public as well as businesses.

We review the activity in Australia to align with the circular economy's core principles and the government policies that can facilitate increased involvement in the circular economy. This includes Planet Ark's involvement with the Australasian Recycling Label project by providing community education and the development of a coffee capsule product stewardship scheme for all coffee capsules available on the domestic market.

We wrap the episode with Nicole's representation of the AIP on the ANZPAC Plastics Pact collection action group and her views on the work ahead to achieve a circular economy in Australia.

You can find out more about the ACE Hub and Planet Ark at their websites:

acehub.org.au

planetark.org

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The PKN Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of PKN Packaging News, owned and published by Yaffa Media.

The views of the people featured on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of PKN Packaging News, Yaffa Media, or the guest’s employer. The contents are copyright by Yaffa Media.

If you wish to use any of this podcast’s audio, please contact PKN Packaging News via their website www.packagingnews.com.au or send an email to editor@packagingnews.com.au.

MC: Grant McHerron

Host: Lindy Hughson

Producer: Steve Visscher

PKN Packaging News - © 2021