Latest news with #MickKeogh
7NEWS
11-08-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
New plan for soft plastics could push up the price of groceries after REDcycle scheme with Woolworths, Coles and Aldi fails
Supermarkets will still be central to the recycling of soft plastics in Australia under a new scheme proposed by the ACCC. It could also result in more expensive groceries. The recycling scheme under the Soft Plastics Taskforce is set to replace the REDcycle program, which collapsed in 2022. It was revealed that about 11,000 tonnes of scrunchable trash collected at Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi, was being stockpiled for months rather than being processed. The new voluntary recycling scheme will by industry-led, and is set to be funded through levies that could be passed on to customers through the price of groceries. Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi, and food giants Nestle, Mars and McCormick Foods, are already onboard for the recycling revamp. Levies on manufacturers and supermarkets would be based on how much soft plastic the scheme participants put on the market. It is estimated that 70 per cent of soft plastic packaging is business-to-consumer, with more than 540,000 tonnes of soft plastic packaging used by manufacturers in packaging between 2022 and 2023. Only 6 per cent of that was recovered, according to data published by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO). The new scheme will be run by Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA). The watchdog previously authorised the supermarkets giants to process the soft plastics stockpile left over from the REDcycle program, and gave the green-light to restart instore collection pilots until July 2026. 'It is clear that many Australians are concerned about the environmental impacts of soft plastic packaging and want to recycle it,' ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said. 'While we know that soft plastic recycling has faced many challenges in Australia, we consider that the SPSA scheme is an important stepping stone to expanding collections and recycling.' The ACCC considers that these public environmental benefits outweigh any potential detriment to competition that results from the collaboration through SPSA's scheme. The ACCC is proposing to grant authorisation for eight years and to include a reporting condition to ensure transparency of the scheme's performance. The participating supermarkets and manufacturers will be barred from making exclusive contracts with processors, under an additional condition from the ACCC. Submissions to the ACCC's draft determination are due in two weeks.
The Advertiser
11-08-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Rebooted plastic scheme could hike groceries cost
Plastic-wrapped chocolate bars, two-minute noodles and breakfast cereals could all become more expensive under an Australia-wide recycling scheme likely to win approval. The competition watchdog on Monday signalled it wanted to green-light the creation of a voluntary, industry-led scheme to collect and recycle soft plastic packaging from consumers. Backed by major supermarkets and food giants Mars and Nestle, the scheme would succeed REDcycle, which collapsed in 2022 with an estimated 11,000 tonnes of stockpiled soft plastic strewn across dozens of depots. The new operation would be funded through a soft plastic packaging levy that could be passed on to consumers. It was "an important stepping stone to expanding collections and recycling", the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said. More than 500,000 tonnes of soft plastic packaging is used by manufacturers in packaging their products every year, with little of that recycled, according to industry figures. "It is clear that many Australians are concerned about the environmental impacts of soft plastic packaging and want to recycle it," ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said on Monday. "We believe the proposed scheme will result in an environmental benefit as it aims to take over and expand the current in-store collection and kerbside pilots for recycling soft plastic packaging, meaning some soft plastics are likely to be diverted from landfill." The scheme and levy would be operated by Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia, initially made up of Nestle, Mars and McCormick Foods alongside Woolworths, Coles and Aldi. The levy would be collected on scheme participants based on how much business-to-consumer soft plastic packaging they put on the market. For example, a manufacturer selling a product to a supermarket is considered to have placed it on the market. About 70 per cent of soft plastic packaging is business-to-consumer. Submissions on the competition watchdog's draft determination to approve the scheme are due in two weeks. It follows the quiet resumption of soft plastics recycling in supermarkets in recent months. Aldi and Woolworths have both attributed the slow uptake in that scheme to a lack of publicity. The spectacular collapse of the for-profit REDcycle in late 2022 led to the startling revelation soft plastics that consumers had been dutifully returning to supermarkets had been secretly stockpiled at warehouses across the nation. Supply-chain issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and insufficient demand for the products REDcycle produced from melted-down plastics were blamed for its failure. Plastic-wrapped chocolate bars, two-minute noodles and breakfast cereals could all become more expensive under an Australia-wide recycling scheme likely to win approval. The competition watchdog on Monday signalled it wanted to green-light the creation of a voluntary, industry-led scheme to collect and recycle soft plastic packaging from consumers. Backed by major supermarkets and food giants Mars and Nestle, the scheme would succeed REDcycle, which collapsed in 2022 with an estimated 11,000 tonnes of stockpiled soft plastic strewn across dozens of depots. The new operation would be funded through a soft plastic packaging levy that could be passed on to consumers. It was "an important stepping stone to expanding collections and recycling", the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said. More than 500,000 tonnes of soft plastic packaging is used by manufacturers in packaging their products every year, with little of that recycled, according to industry figures. "It is clear that many Australians are concerned about the environmental impacts of soft plastic packaging and want to recycle it," ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said on Monday. "We believe the proposed scheme will result in an environmental benefit as it aims to take over and expand the current in-store collection and kerbside pilots for recycling soft plastic packaging, meaning some soft plastics are likely to be diverted from landfill." The scheme and levy would be operated by Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia, initially made up of Nestle, Mars and McCormick Foods alongside Woolworths, Coles and Aldi. The levy would be collected on scheme participants based on how much business-to-consumer soft plastic packaging they put on the market. For example, a manufacturer selling a product to a supermarket is considered to have placed it on the market. About 70 per cent of soft plastic packaging is business-to-consumer. Submissions on the competition watchdog's draft determination to approve the scheme are due in two weeks. It follows the quiet resumption of soft plastics recycling in supermarkets in recent months. Aldi and Woolworths have both attributed the slow uptake in that scheme to a lack of publicity. The spectacular collapse of the for-profit REDcycle in late 2022 led to the startling revelation soft plastics that consumers had been dutifully returning to supermarkets had been secretly stockpiled at warehouses across the nation. Supply-chain issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and insufficient demand for the products REDcycle produced from melted-down plastics were blamed for its failure. Plastic-wrapped chocolate bars, two-minute noodles and breakfast cereals could all become more expensive under an Australia-wide recycling scheme likely to win approval. The competition watchdog on Monday signalled it wanted to green-light the creation of a voluntary, industry-led scheme to collect and recycle soft plastic packaging from consumers. Backed by major supermarkets and food giants Mars and Nestle, the scheme would succeed REDcycle, which collapsed in 2022 with an estimated 11,000 tonnes of stockpiled soft plastic strewn across dozens of depots. The new operation would be funded through a soft plastic packaging levy that could be passed on to consumers. It was "an important stepping stone to expanding collections and recycling", the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said. More than 500,000 tonnes of soft plastic packaging is used by manufacturers in packaging their products every year, with little of that recycled, according to industry figures. "It is clear that many Australians are concerned about the environmental impacts of soft plastic packaging and want to recycle it," ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said on Monday. "We believe the proposed scheme will result in an environmental benefit as it aims to take over and expand the current in-store collection and kerbside pilots for recycling soft plastic packaging, meaning some soft plastics are likely to be diverted from landfill." The scheme and levy would be operated by Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia, initially made up of Nestle, Mars and McCormick Foods alongside Woolworths, Coles and Aldi. The levy would be collected on scheme participants based on how much business-to-consumer soft plastic packaging they put on the market. For example, a manufacturer selling a product to a supermarket is considered to have placed it on the market. About 70 per cent of soft plastic packaging is business-to-consumer. Submissions on the competition watchdog's draft determination to approve the scheme are due in two weeks. It follows the quiet resumption of soft plastics recycling in supermarkets in recent months. Aldi and Woolworths have both attributed the slow uptake in that scheme to a lack of publicity. The spectacular collapse of the for-profit REDcycle in late 2022 led to the startling revelation soft plastics that consumers had been dutifully returning to supermarkets had been secretly stockpiled at warehouses across the nation. Supply-chain issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and insufficient demand for the products REDcycle produced from melted-down plastics were blamed for its failure. Plastic-wrapped chocolate bars, two-minute noodles and breakfast cereals could all become more expensive under an Australia-wide recycling scheme likely to win approval. The competition watchdog on Monday signalled it wanted to green-light the creation of a voluntary, industry-led scheme to collect and recycle soft plastic packaging from consumers. Backed by major supermarkets and food giants Mars and Nestle, the scheme would succeed REDcycle, which collapsed in 2022 with an estimated 11,000 tonnes of stockpiled soft plastic strewn across dozens of depots. The new operation would be funded through a soft plastic packaging levy that could be passed on to consumers. It was "an important stepping stone to expanding collections and recycling", the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said. More than 500,000 tonnes of soft plastic packaging is used by manufacturers in packaging their products every year, with little of that recycled, according to industry figures. "It is clear that many Australians are concerned about the environmental impacts of soft plastic packaging and want to recycle it," ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said on Monday. "We believe the proposed scheme will result in an environmental benefit as it aims to take over and expand the current in-store collection and kerbside pilots for recycling soft plastic packaging, meaning some soft plastics are likely to be diverted from landfill." The scheme and levy would be operated by Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia, initially made up of Nestle, Mars and McCormick Foods alongside Woolworths, Coles and Aldi. The levy would be collected on scheme participants based on how much business-to-consumer soft plastic packaging they put on the market. For example, a manufacturer selling a product to a supermarket is considered to have placed it on the market. About 70 per cent of soft plastic packaging is business-to-consumer. Submissions on the competition watchdog's draft determination to approve the scheme are due in two weeks. It follows the quiet resumption of soft plastics recycling in supermarkets in recent months. Aldi and Woolworths have both attributed the slow uptake in that scheme to a lack of publicity. The spectacular collapse of the for-profit REDcycle in late 2022 led to the startling revelation soft plastics that consumers had been dutifully returning to supermarkets had been secretly stockpiled at warehouses across the nation. Supply-chain issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and insufficient demand for the products REDcycle produced from melted-down plastics were blamed for its failure.
Perth Now
11-08-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Rebooted plastic scheme could hike groceries cost
Plastic-wrapped chocolate bars, two-minute noodles and breakfast cereals could all become more expensive under an Australia-wide recycling scheme likely to win approval. The competition watchdog on Monday signalled it wanted to green-light the creation of a voluntary, industry-led scheme to collect and recycle soft plastic packaging from consumers. Backed by major supermarkets and food giants Mars and Nestle, the scheme would succeed REDcycle, which collapsed in 2022 with an estimated 11,000 tonnes of stockpiled soft plastic strewn across dozens of depots. The new operation would be funded through a soft plastic packaging levy that could be passed on to consumers. It was "an important stepping stone to expanding collections and recycling", the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said. More than 500,000 tonnes of soft plastic packaging is used by manufacturers in packaging their products every year, with little of that recycled, according to industry figures. "It is clear that many Australians are concerned about the environmental impacts of soft plastic packaging and want to recycle it," ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said on Monday. "We believe the proposed scheme will result in an environmental benefit as it aims to take over and expand the current in-store collection and kerbside pilots for recycling soft plastic packaging, meaning some soft plastics are likely to be diverted from landfill." The scheme and levy would be operated by Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia, initially made up of Nestle, Mars and McCormick Foods alongside Woolworths, Coles and Aldi. The levy would be collected on scheme participants based on how much business-to-consumer soft plastic packaging they put on the market. For example, a manufacturer selling a product to a supermarket is considered to have placed it on the market. About 70 per cent of soft plastic packaging is business-to-consumer. Submissions on the competition watchdog's draft determination to approve the scheme are due in two weeks. It follows the quiet resumption of soft plastics recycling in supermarkets in recent months. Aldi and Woolworths have both attributed the slow uptake in that scheme to a lack of publicity. The spectacular collapse of the for-profit REDcycle in late 2022 led to the startling revelation soft plastics that consumers had been dutifully returning to supermarkets had been secretly stockpiled at warehouses across the nation. Supply-chain issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and insufficient demand for the products REDcycle produced from melted-down plastics were blamed for its failure.
ABC News
10-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
ACCC approves merger of dairy giants Lactalis and Fonterra
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has approved a merger between the country's two largest dairy processing companies, Lactalis and Fonterra. The planned takeover of Fonterra's consumer, dairy ingredients and food service businesses by French group Lactalis would create a massive dairy company in Australia. Both companies buy and process raw milk from dairy farmers in Victoria and Tasmania. They also process and supply a range of dairy products across Australia. ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said the commission looked closely at the planned takeover. "It will combine two of the largest buyers of raw milk in Victoria and lead to some further consolidation in Tasmania," he said. Mr Keogh acknowledged concerns about reduced competition if the merger went ahead, but said it was not expected to significantly change market dynamics. The ACCC found that alternative buyers of raw milk would still constrain Lactalis in Gippsland, the Murray and western Victoria. "While the industry in Tasmania is already concentrated, Lactalis has a limited presence and the acquisition would not substantially alter the market dynamics." Mr Keogh said. The commission said the differing production focus of Fonterra and Lactalis meant there would be limited overlap in products.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Australia's competition watchdog to not oppose Lactalis' bid for Fonterra assets
(Reuters) -Australia's competition watchdog said on Thursday that it will not oppose Lactalis' proposed acquisition of New Zealand-based Fonterra Co-Operative Group's consumer, dairy ingredients and food service businesses. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said it is unlikely that the acquisition will result in a "substantial lessening of competition." "Because Fonterra and Lactalis have differing end-product mixes, they often seek to acquire milk from farmers with different production profiles. Accordingly, we found that they are not likely to be each other's closest competitors," Keogh said. The ACCC's informal review of the French dairy group's unannounced bid for Fonterra assets in early May came after Reuters reported that companies including Japan's Meiji, Lactalis and Canada's Saputo were considering bids for Fonterra units up for divestment. Following the Reuters report, Lactalis said it has not signed any agreement regarding the potential acquisition of parts of Fonterra. Lactalis and Fonterra did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Sign in to access your portfolio
