A Mandatory Packaging Reporting (MPR) Clinic was held between 24 to 26 Nov, and on 30 Nov 2021. The session was held to assist companies in their first MPR reporting obligation, which is due in the 1st quarter of 2022. An NEA officer Mr Nadeen Musawwir was present to answer questions from the attendees. Each session began with a short presentation and overview of the MPR, followed by a Q&A session to clear any doubts and concerns companies faced. A total of 12 1-hour sessions were held with up to 200 business representatives from over 100 companies, such as packaging producers, food manufacturers and retailers, were virtually present.
The presenter shared that the MPR aims to raise companies’ awareness of the benefits of packaging reduction and to spur companies to reduce the amount of packaging used. It will lay the foundation for an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for packaging waste management, which will be implemented no later than 2025.
Figure 1 Mr Nadeen presenting on the 3R Plans and its format of reporting
Companies that meet all the following criteria are required to comply with the MPR requirements under the Resource Sustainability Act (RSA):
*Regulated goods means any goods other than goods prescribed as excluded from this definition (please refer to Subsidiary Legislation)
**Specified packaging means any packaging other than any type of packaging prescribed as excluded from this definition (please refer to Subsidiary Legislation)
Questions asked during the session included the reporting format, possible 3R plans, who should perform the reporting, as well as service providers which could assist in the reporting process. To read more on the FAQs, you may access it with this link.
3R Guidebook for Packaging
The Packaging Partnership Programme has also published the 3R Guidebook for Packaging. This Guidebook will provide guidelines to assist companies/organisations in developing and implementing their own 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) plans and initiatives, to manage their packaging and packaging waste. This guidebook includes case studies from local organisations on a variety of subjects, including packaging collection for reuse, consumer outreach related to packaging 3Rs and improving the recyclability of packaging. The guidebook can be found here.