Pressure to ban reused wool packs

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 21, 28 October 1987, Page 6

Pressure to ban reused wool packs

The Wool Board is to introduce a "packmark" to help identify woolpacks that have been correctly repaired and recycled. But even before the new symbol appears in stores, the Board is urging woolgrowers to look for a recycler's label on packs before they buy. "We are under strong pressure to ban re-used packs altogether and we have promised to review the position before the end of the season," says the Board's Group Manager, Transport and Shipping, Mr P.A. (Peter) Spratley.

"Every tattered, worn out and unrepaired pack that gets into the system this season will make it more difficult for us to change the view that only new packs should be used. "If we cannot show that recycled packs are acceptable for our export wools, the added cost to woolgrowers over the years will amount to millions of dollars." Mr Spratley says more than 30 operators have been licensed by the Board to recycle packs. All have agreed to a code of practice. Its provisions include: • No pack may be used more than once and every

pack wilLhave a new cap. • No old brands will be visible and all cuts or tears will be well sewn. • The "packmark" with the recycler's code number will be stencilled where it can be plainly seen. The code has the support of Federated Farmers and trade organisations. The Woolscourers Association has agreed that its members will sell surplus packs only to recyclers approved by the Board. "We hope the packmark will be around for a long time to come," says Mr Spratley. "But that depends on growers being careful in coming months about the packs they use."