Partnerships are vital for an industry whose products and services are used daily by almost every household and business in the developed and developing world. The plastics and chemicals sector contributes more than A$24 billion each year to the Australian economy – providing essential materials and technology to many industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, communications, agriculture, packaging, construction and consumer goods.

PACIA – the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association – is the peak national body representing the plastics and chemicals industries in Australia. The partnership approach is perhaps strongest in the area of sustainability a rapidly expanding area for both PACIA and its member companies.

As PACIA Chief Executive Michael Catchpole explains: “Our vision is to create a vibrant and sustainable industry which is profitable and contributes positively to social and environmental sustainability. To respond to the challenges of sustainability, we must think beyond the process and the plant fence; we must look creatively at our products and materials and the transforming value the industry provides. Partnerships are critical for us in extending these opportunities.”

Government partnerships - EPA Victoria

Government, at both state and federal level, is a key partner for PACIA and its members in developing a new approach to sustainable business practices.

In Victoria, where the larger part of the industry’s manufacturing occurs, the state EPA regulates and licenses many of PACIA’s member companies. But the creation of Sustainability Covenants by the Victorian EPA heralded a new approach between industry and a regulator. In 2004, PACIA was the first industry association to sign up to a Sustainability Covenant, under which PACIA and the EPA commit to work collaboratively and progress waste reduction and resource efficiency initiatives through the association’s member base.

The Covenant provided PACIA with resources and momentum to develop a sustainability program with a focus on both the communication of sustainability messages and on-the-ground support for projects within companies. The PACIA Sustainability Awards have been established, along with training programs, workshops with international experts such as Dr Paul Tebo – former Vice-President for Health, Safety and Environment for DuPont and known as ‘Hero of Zero’ – and support for company specific projects. These programs complement and support the activities underway within many of the member companies.

PACIA and its member companies recognise that their sustainability approach must have a clear focus on business opportunities. Terry A’Hearn, Sustainable Development Director at the EPA Victoria says: “The flexibility of the covenant and the resources we can provide have been essential as PACIA’s understanding of sustainability has developed over the past few years.” Michael Catchpole concurs: “Our industry has a crucial role to play in sustainability, and a responsibility to lead. This includes our first steps in developing a sustainability framework to help guide the industry.”

NGO Partnerships – WaterAid Australia

WaterAid Australia is an international aid agency dedicated to empowering poorer communities to secure water for life. WaterAid Australia works with some of the world’s poorest communities, including those on Australia’s doorstep in Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, to create long term sustainable access to clean water and effective sanitation.

When PACIA invited WaterAid Australia Chief Executive Chris Wootton to address its National Conference in 2005, he shared with the audience of senior executives some startling and saddening facts. “Every fifteen seconds a child dies from easily preventable water related diseases, and more than 1.1 billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water.”

The message resonated with the industry representatives, particularly as plastics and chemicals play an important role in water supply and safe sanitation in any society and community.

PACIA and WaterAid explored opportunities to work together and this culminated in late 2006 with a partnership announcement between PACIA and WaterAid Australia. The partnership will assist fundraising, provide a forum for companies to learn more about WaterAid’s activities in communities and facilitate an exchange of skills and know-how.

Both organisations hope that by joining forces, they will be able to make a difference for many families and communities –the difference between life and death.

Community partnerships – Responsible Care

The concept of community consultation is not new. Both overseas and in Australia, there has been a growing recognition that communities not only have a need and right to know the risks associated with company operations and products, but those communities must also be given real opportunities to provide ideas and views.

Responsible Care and the Community Right to Know Code of Practice is an initiative to increase community involvement and awareness of the industry. The international program has been operated in Australia by PACIA since 1989, and adherence by chemical companies to the Responsible Care program is a condition of PACIA membership.

At its practical core, Responsible Care includes Codes of Practice, guidance notes and checklists for implementation of good health, safety and environmental practices by PACIA member companies. The Community Right to Know principle is often the most important for many companies, as it provides a direct link with plant neighbours, residents, the public and other stakeholders. Companies use the principles of the code to help break down barriers and build positive relationships by establishing community panels, hosting school visits, collaborating on emergency planning and improvement plans and setting up phone hotlines for information and inquiries.

Contact: Maree Lang
Telephone: +61 3 9426 3833
Website: www.pacia.org.au

Sustainability Award Honour Roll

Melbourne based plastics company Close The Loop came out ahead in the PACIA 2006 Sustainability Award – Plastics. Close The Loop specialises in zero waste resource recovery from used electronics equipment, and has created a new award-winning product made from combined plastics – eWood™.

The Sustainability Award – Chemicals was won by Marstel Terminals. Their new terminal development incorporates benchmark environmentally responsible design and operating procedures, and was developed with the support of Marstel’s customers and the Marstel Consultative Group.

Previous Winners

• Plastics – Allviron for its innovative approach to waste reduction in a small business
• Chemicals – CSBP Limited for its integrated water management strategy

• Plastics – Solar Safety Management for its product innovation in safety lighting
• Chemicals – Echo Projects for its integrated site remediation project in Tasmania

Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA) Responsible Care: http://www.pacia.org.au/index.cfm?mmid=001