SAWIA’s Mentor Program can help save you time!

• Mentor program members are supported with industry specific tools, which have been developed by SAWIA. These tools are simple to implement in any size business and available to participants only.
• Mentor program members do not need to develop an action plan. SAWIA addresses this and submits one action plan on behalf of all participants.
• Mentor program members receive ongoing support and guidance. They benefit from networking and working with others across the wine industry to achieve the same outcome.
• SAWIA organise workshops and forums to share information and address packaging challenges as a group.
• There is currently no cost to participate in the Mentor Program

The Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) is a voluntary initiative by Government and Industry to reduce the environmental effects of packaging. It is designed to minimise the environmental impacts arising from the disposal of used packaging, conserve resources through better design and production processes and facilitate the re-use and recycling of used packaging materials.

The former National Packaging Covenant (NPC) was first introduced in 1999, as the voluntary component of a co-regulatory arrangement for managing the effects of consumer packaging. 
While participation in the Australian Packaging Covenant is voluntary, brand owners with a turnover of over $5m per annum who choose not to become signatories or who fail to comply with the APC requirements will be regulated under the National Environmental Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure (NEPM) in each of the states and territories within which the company sells its products.

In November 2002, SAWIA established a Mentor Program to assist members that signed on to the Packaging Covenant. SAWIA developed and submitted one action plan for all members; developed reporting templates for audits and undertook the required reporting against the Plan. The Mentor Program won the Action Challenge award in the inaugural Packaging Evolution Awards in 2006. The Mentor Program was expanded early in 2008, through the negotiation of an agreement with the Wine Industry Association of Western Australia (WIAWA), which facilitated the membership of the SAWIA Mentor Program by members of WIAWA.

SAWIA acknowledge that the benefits for members in the Mentor Program are now strengthened by the Covenant’s strategic plan to demonstrate leadership in sustainable packaging design, share information to further recover and recycle used packaging materials across the industry and to work cooperatively across the supply chain. Under the new strategic plan of the Australian Packaging Covenant (APC), there has been a positive response and constructive involvement from mentor program members.

If you are interested in joining our Mentor Program complete the committment form under resources and email to admin@winesa.asn.au . Further information, please contact SAWIA on 8222 9277