BioPak was recently awarded the Woolworths Sustainability Supplier of the Year. On November 19, 2019, Woolworths awarded BioPak the prestigious Sustainability Supplier of the Year, in recognition of BioPak’s ongoing efforts to reduce packaging. Gary Smith, CEO of BioPak, said it was an “honour” to be “acknowledged by Woolworths as a business showcasing excellence in sustainability. [Woolworths’] commitment to engage [BioPak] to innovate sustainable solutions was the catalyst to making real change!” According to Smith, Woolworths “leads an industry waiting for change to ‘just happen’” and “they took on the responsibility to force a change in habits that have a real environmental impact”. While the world grapples with recycling crises and climate emergencies, leading brands like Woolworths are feeling consumer pressure to reduce the waste associated with their business. On-premises waste practices limit waste to landfill from the supermarkets, but the environmental impact of packaging that ends up in consumers’ homes needs to be better managed.

The Solution

BioPak's plant-based packaging is designed to minimise environmental harm. BioPak’s carbon neutral, plant-based packaging is designed to reduce negative environmental harm and increase positive community impact. Woolworths’ award-winning bakery trays are made from sugarcane fibre (known as bagasse), a by-product of the sugar refining industry, is certified home compostable to Australian Standards (AS5810), and deemed recyclable by PREP. BioPak also supplied Woolworths’ Countdown stores in New Zealand with a complete range of sustainable picnic-ware including paper cups, clear cups, cutlery, napkins, paper straws, and plates. BioPak and Woolworths are together driving change across their fresh produce ranges to reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging – BioPak’s sugarcane pulp trays are used by many of Woolworths’ fresh fruit and veg farmers and packers. The packaging BioPak uses is sustainable sources and ethically manufactured in production facilities certified to ISO14001 environmental standards. This ensures the production facilities implement processes and procedures to protect the local environment in which they operate. For more information on different plant-based materials, have a look at our blog.

The Result

The difference switching from conventional plastic packaging to sustainable plant-based packaging has made is huge:

Bakery Trays

By using BioPak compostable bakery trays, this year Woolworths has offset 3,213 tonnes of carbon emissions (equivalent to driving a new car around the world 302 times) and avoided 1,209 tonnes of plastic being produced, which would have required 1,184,835 litres of crude oil. Woolworths also offers a means for customers to compost these trays instead of sending them to landfill. If all trays were composted, they would create 58,032 bags or 846 tonnes of compost.

Fresh Produce Trays

Woolworths has made a difference this year by choosing produce partners that supply fresh fruit and vegetables. By switching to compostable BioPak sugarcane pulp trays, Woolworths has reduced carbon emissions by 60 tonnes and avoided 167 tonnes of fossil fuel–based plastic.

Countdown New Zealand Picnic Ware

In New Zealand, Countdown has converted millions of compostable picnic ware products from fossil fuel–based plastics and offset 391 tonnes of carbon this year.

Positive Impact

Rainforest Rescue works to protect and restore vulnerable rainforest ecosystems. Through BioPak’s ‘Give Back’ program, 7.5% of profits are donated to environmental restoration initiatives with Rainforest Rescue (Australia) and Forest & Bird (New Zealand). This year, BioPak expects to plant at least 50 seedlings on Woolworths’ behalf. By choosing BioPak, you and your customers are reforesting and protecting 450 square metres of rainforest.  

Information taken from BioPak's website. For more information on BioPak, have a look at their blog. To find out more about BioPak's initiatives, check out this article on our blog.

  Planet Friendly Packaging wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.