The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has celebrated its Annual Awards evening, recognising the Australian businesses leading the way in sustainable packaging design and innovation.
The APCO Awards recognise businesses that have gone above and beyond to implement best practice approaches to sustainable packaging design, demonstrate industry leadership and a commitment to sustainability education.
Winners were selected based on their performance in sustainable packaging design, recycling initiatives and product stewardship programs to develop sustainable supply chains.
The Arnott’s Group took home the major award, the Sustainable Packaging Excellence Award, for establishing a sustainable packaging strategy that addresses the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines, incorporating initiatives across the entire packaging value chain from design, production and use of packaging, through to disposal, recovery and the use of recycled material. The Arnott’s Group has successfully reduced the weight of its packaging, incorporated recycled content, and has commenced transitioning its soft plastic packaging from multi-layer films to a 100 per cent recyclable mono-layer film.
Other award recipients included Sarah Baylis, Packaging Innovation Manager, Fonterra Brands, who took home the coveted Sustainability Champion Award. Baylis took home the evening’s standout individual prize in recognition of leading the New Zealand ARL implementation program for the NZFGC with APCO.
The awards were handed out to organisations representing a broad range of sectors including agriculture and nurseries, electronics, healthcare and scientific, and manufacturing.
This year’s event also included several new awards dedicated to the small businesses championing sustainable packaging – with winners including J C & A T Searle, Australian Garlic Producers, COMSOL and Glow Consumer Products.
Chris Foley, CEO, APCO, said that each of the winners and finalists had demonstrated excellence in, and an incredible commitment to, sustainable packaging innovation, design and leadership.
“It’s heartening to see the progress that Australian industry is making, with more and more businesses choosing to lead and champion change on this issue.”
2022 Industry Sector Award Winners
Agriculture and Nurseries: Richgro Garden Products
Chemicals, Hardware, and Machinery: Clorox Australia Pty Ltd
Electronics: Dell Australia Pty Ltd
Food & Beverage: The Arnott’s Group
General Merchandise and Apparel: Blundstone Australia Pty Ltd
Healthcare & Scientific: Emeis Cosmetics Pty Ltd
Large Retailer: Officeworks Ltd
Logistics and Warehousing: CHEP AUSTRALIA LIMITED
Packaging Manufacturer and Supplier: Disruptive Packaging Pty Ltd
Telecommunications: Telstra Corporation Limited
Tobacco: British American Tobacco Australia
2022 Highest Performing SME Industry Sector Award Winners
Agriculture and Nurseries: J C & A T Searle Pty Ltd
Chemicals, Hardware, and Machinery: WD-40 Company (Australia) Pty Limited
Electronics: COMSOL PTY LTD
Food & Beverage: Flavour Creations Pty Ltd
General Merchandise and Apparel: Glow Consumer Products Pty. Ltd.
Healthcare & Scientific: Thankyou Group Pty Ltd
Packaging Manufacturer and Supplier: O F Packaging Pty Ltd
Outstanding Achievement Awards:
Outstanding Achievement Award in Recycled Content: Mars Australia Pty Ltd
Outstanding Achievement Award in Design & Procurement: Emeis Cosmetics Pty Ltd
Our Packaging Futures Awards:
Our Packaging Future Award in Industry Education: Bunzl Limited
Our Packaging Future Award in Consumer Education: Visy Industries Australia Pty Ltd
Our Packaging Future Award in Improved Recycling Systems: Closed Loop Environmental Solutions
Our Packaging Future Award in End-Market Development: Grounded Packaging
Highest Performing New Member Awards:
Highest Performing New Member: Hilton Foods Australia
Highest Performing New Members (SME): Australian Garlic producers Pty Ltd
Sustainability Champion Award: Sarah Baylis (Fonterra Brands)
Sustainable Packaging Excellence Award: The Arnotts Group
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