Two Victorian companies, championing innovative packaging solutions, have been named as finalists in the Circular Economy Innovation category of the 2023 Premier’s Sustainability Awards.
Packamama and Wholefoods Unwrapped Collective are both Community Champion finalists in the Circular Economy Innovation category.
Now in its 21st year, Victoria’s annual sustainability awards program acknowledges the businesses, local governments and communities leading the way in sustainability, and celebrates their achievements.
The Premier’s Sustainability Awards has six categories, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with two winners in each category.
The Community Champion Award celebrates individuals, small organisations and local government, and the Industry Leader Award recognises medium and large organisations driving a sustainable future.
Packamama’s eco-flat wine bottles have received much acclaim. With current round glass bottles the single largest contributor to wine’s carbon footprint, these innovative flat-pack bottles save space, fitting up to twice the product in the supply chain.
By using 100 per cent Australian produced recycled PET, they also save weight (they are 84 per cent lighter), and energy, all of which reduces CO2 in production, recycling and transport.
The award-winning wine bottles, which are helping accelerate Victoria’s transition to a circular economy, have been designed to be more convenient to use while maintaining the ritual of pouring from a bottle.
Wholefoods Unwrapped is an initiative from Wholefoods Unwrapped Collective, which minimises waste by eliminating packaging through the use of durable, reusable containers from the paddock to the plate. In hospitality and food sectors, produce supply chains are responsible for creating significant waste destined for landfill.
Wholefoods Unwrapped Collective has purchased a suite of reusable containers (stainless steel returns, crates and sturdy polycarbonate tubs) to be reused time and again for food delivery and transport.
By removing the dependence on energy-intensive, unnecessary packaging, this circular economy solution has diverted more than 15 tonnes of non-organic waste from landfill, and influenced both food providers and customers to think differently about the impact of packaging waste on the environment.
Matt Genever, Sustainability Victoria’s interim-CEO, said he was inspired by the work being done by Packamama and Wholefoods Unwrapped.
“These Community Champions are leading the way in sustainability, and are making significant contributions to our state’s circular economy transformation and a net-zero emission future for Victoria,” he said.
The Premier’s Sustainability Awards judging panel included a broad range of independent environmental experts selected for their sustainability and industry expertise.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday 23 November.
The Circular Economy Innovation category of the Premier’s Sustainability Awards is sponsored by Melbourne Water.
For further information about the 2023 Premier’s Sustainability Awards finalists, click here.
