Australian B Corp and global compostable packaging enterprise, BioPak, has released its Sustainability Report for 2023, which the company says highlights yet another “unprecedented” year as it continues to “push boundaries, disrupt new markets, and work towards a world without waste”.
A notable mention in the report refers to BioPak’s Emissions Reduction Plan, with the company aiming to launch an industry-first Environmental Impact Labelling Scheme to provide detailed information on BioPak’s carbon footprint and the eco-cost associated for a carton of each product.
The company says this will give customers a new level of transparency and tools to make informed comparisons and decisions.
According to Gary Smith, CEO of BioPak, the upcoming labelling scheme is a step forward for the company and the planet.
“This is part of our ongoing commitment to transparency. It is another first for our industry and one that we hope can become part of any product or packaging framework,” he said.
“We look forward to rolling out this exciting initiative and hearing our customers’ and the public feedback.”
The report shares an update on PFAS, including BioPak’s position as the first in Australia to start production on a complete assortment of plant-based fibre products in 2023 – with the company expected for a full transition by mid-June 2024 for the APAC region.
“This is a significant step forward for the industry, and one that I hope can spark real action and change from the wider sector to voluntarily stop using ‘forever chemicals’,” Smith added.
“We will also continue to work closely with governments and regulatory bodies to help encourage radical legislation to ban PFAS from all products, not just packaging.”
The report also championed education as a core driver for BioPak, with its not-for-profit arm Compost Connect receiving a major overhaul of its website and resources in 2023, providing one of the most comprehensive information hubs on the market, helping both businesses and consumers make informed decisions that put the planet first.
Greenwashing was also noted as an industry challenge, with Smith acknowledging that the market is still incredibly noisy with misinformation and ambiguous or untrue claims.
“We have worked closely with regulators to help combat greenwashing that is rife across a range of business sectors,” Smith said.
“We have a commitment to ensuring our community is aware of misleading claims, and will continue to provide education and be a beacon of information to help our community make informed choices.”
The report also gives a nod to BioPak’s R&D, with the company’s award-winning Aqueous cups – a new water-based dispersion coating that’s certified home compostable – recognised as an important innovation as global single-use plastic bans gain momentum.
BioPak is also working on a new formulation – PHA – which is heralded to be the next breakthrough lining technology.
“We will continue to shake up and disrupt the compostable cup market with further innovations brewing and set to be released in 2024,” Smith concluded.
Over the course of 2023, the company has avoided 23,624 tonnes of plastic; 28,765 trees rescued and planted; 148,622 meals donated; and 133,515 lives impacted.
Also, BioPak’s historic expansion into Hong Kong shows continued growth as the company continues to drive change across the globe.
