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Saveboard has recently taken used Tetra Pak and Sig Group cartons from Escape Coffee Roasters in New Zealand, and turned them into part of the building interior.

Saveboard collects materials, such as cartons, caps and straws, and processes them into a sturdy, lightweight alternative to conventional plasterboard, plywood or particle board, which itself  is also 100 per cent recyclable. They currently operate in both New Zealand and Australia.

On social media, Saveboard said in a post: “The response from their customers has been overwhelmingly positive; not only does it look great, but most importantly it shows their commitment to our environment. They are doing everything they can to reduce waste, from composting their organic matter, to using recyclable packaging for their products they can show it can be done with a little effort.”

Saveboard says that for each product purchased, 25kg of packaging waste is being diverted away from landfill.

Vikas Ahuja, sustainability director at Tetra Pak, said in a social media post: “We’re super excited about the great work Saveboard are doing turning beverage cartons into low-carbon building materials. They've created a valuable timber replacement end-product that is not only sustainable but much cheaper than comparable rigid air barrier and hoarding panels.”

Food & Drink Business

A national network for young grape and wine professionals has been launched, set to foster the next generation of winemakers, viticulturists, cellar door staff, wine judges and other roles in Australia’s wine sector.

A new bill was introduced to Parliament on 19 November, which offers a framework for regulating the sale or importation of organic goods in Australia, and stronger opportunities for exporting organic products.

The Senate Economics Committee has rejected the Food Donations Bill that proposed a tax offset for companies donating excess food to food relief agencies rather than dumping it. While the bill had the potential to deliver the equivalent of 100 million meals to food relief organisations, the committee said it had “serious concerns” including the bill’s “generous” tax concessions. Food relief agencies and social welfare organisations have questioned the committee’s decision to reject the bill outright rather than make recommendations for amendments.