RMIT, EFWA launch SME packaging recycling centre with dollar-for-dollar research funding

AUSTRALIA – RMIT University and End Food Waste Australia have launched a national centre offering dollar-for-dollar research funding to help food and beverage SMEs transition to recyclable, reusable and compostable packaging.

The Food and Beverage Small and Medium Enterprise Packaging and Machinery Solution Centre, announced on 10 July 2026, brings together RMIT, End Food Waste Australia, the Australasian Institute of Packaging, the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association, and Tetra Pak. 

The centre will provide independent, research-backed support to SMEs transitioning to reusable, recyclable and compostable packaging solutions while maintaining product shelf life and food safety standards.

Independent ‘Source of Truth’ Addresses Packaging Transition Risks

As businesses move away from problematic single-use packaging, many face challenges with new formats that can unintentionally reduce shelf life or increase environmental impact.

Dr Caroline Francis, senior lecturer at RMIT, stated that the centre was established to help businesses transition to sustainable packaging without compromising food safety, product integrity or waste reduction efforts. 

Professor Simon Lockrey, End Food Waste Australia program leader, added that the centre would operate as a national ‘source of truth’ for SMEs, enabling evidence-based decisions rather than reliance on supplier or informal advice. 

The centre’s independent status is particularly valuable as SMEs often lack the in-house research capacity to evaluate packaging alternatives, making them vulnerable to unsubstantiated supplier claims.

Regulatory Expertise and Machinery Support Drive Circular Economy Goals

Nerida Kelton, executive director of the AIP, said the centre would help SMEs navigate changing packaging regulations including recyclability requirements, mono-material transitions and recycled content targets. 

Michael Moran, CEO of APPMA, noted that packaging and processing machinery is a critical enabler of sustainable manufacturing, and the centre would help businesses integrate advanced technologies across production lines. 

Eligible Australian SMEs with a valid ABN can apply through a rolling expression of interest process, with successful participants contributing matched cash funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis for approved projects. 

The centre will draw on expertise from partner institutions including Queensland University of Technology, the University of Queensland and the South Australian Research and Development Institute. 

The collaborative initiative positions SMEs to transition confidently to sustainable packaging solutions that support Australia’s circular economy goals without compromising product integrity or increasing food waste, while also building internal capability for long-term packaging innovation.

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