Sustainable Packaging Audit
The Importance of a Soft Plastics Audit
A soft plastics audit helps businesses understand how much virgin plastic they use and where they can switch to better recycled materials.
For brand owners, this simple review can reveal clear ways to reduce waste, improve packaging choices and support a more circular economy. It also gives your team practical data before setting sustainability targets.
Why a Soft Plastics Audit Matters
A soft plastics audit reviews your current packaging portfolio. It checks how much virgin resin, PCR material and other plastic packaging your business uses.
As a result, your team can see what needs to change. You can also find simple opportunities to reduce environmental impact, improve supplier choices and support better reporting.
Lower impact
Reducing virgin resin can lower resource use and support lower packaging emissions.
Better cost planning
Using more recycled content can support long-term value as PCR technology improves.
Stronger brand trust
Customers value brands that take real steps toward sustainable packaging.
For wider packaging guidance in Australia, you can visit the
Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation.
How a Soft Plastics Audit Supports the Circular Economy
The circular economy keeps materials in use for longer. Instead of following a take, make and dispose model, businesses reuse and recover valuable materials.
Therefore, a soft plastics audit is a smart first step. It helps brand owners see where they can reduce waste and increase the use of post-consumer recycled materials.
Review design
Look for packaging that can use less material or more recycled content.
Set clear targets
Create simple goals for reducing virgin resin and increasing PCR materials.
Drive change
Encourage suppliers and manufacturers to support better packaging choices.
You can also explore circular economy principles through the
Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
APCO, Packaging Goals and Industry Support
APCO plays an important role in shaping the future of packaging in Australia. It works with industry to improve packaging design, recovery and sustainability outcomes.
In addition, businesses that review their soft plastic footprint can better understand how to align with industry goals. This can help with supplier conversations, internal planning and future packaging decisions.
An audit gives you a clearer starting point
Once you know your current mix of virgin resin and PCR material, you can make better decisions and build a more practical action plan.
To learn more about verified recycled content, visit our
ReCree8® resin
page.
How to Start Your Soft Plastics Audit
The best place to start is with a simple review of your current packaging. Then, compare each item against your sustainability goals and available recycled-content options.
1
List packaging
Record all soft plastic packaging used across your business.
2
Check materials
Compare virgin resin, PCR content and other material types.
3
Set goals
Choose clear targets for reducing virgin plastic use.
4
Take action
Work with suppliers that can support verified PCR packaging.
Business Benefits of Auditing Soft Plastic Packaging
A soft plastics audit is not only an environmental task. It can also support procurement, sales and brand communication.
For example, your audit can show where your team can reduce material waste, improve supplier documentation and support customer sustainability requests.
Better procurement choices
Your team can choose packaging based on material data, not vague claims.
Clearer sustainability reporting
Audits give your business useful information for ESG and packaging reports.
Improved supplier standards
You can ask suppliers for recycled-content data, certification and traceability.
Stronger market position
A clear action plan can help your brand show real progress to customers.
Final Thoughts: Start with a Clear Packaging Baseline
A soft plastics audit gives your business a clear baseline. From there, you can reduce virgin resin, increase PCR material use and make better packaging decisions.
In addition, an audit helps turn sustainability from a broad idea into a practical action plan. It shows what you use today and what you can improve next.
With the right partners, brand owners can reduce their plastic footprint and support a stronger circular economy.
Take the next step
Audit Your Soft Plastic Footprint
Speak with the thinkpac team to review your packaging, explore PCR options and build a practical pathway toward more sustainable packaging.
