Sustainable materials research pioneer, Prof Veena Sahajwalla, director of SMaRT Centre at UNSW, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours.

Big Bag Recovery has joined forces with the Australian Beverages Council under its Environmental Sustainability Roadmap to 2030 (ESR30) initiative. This partnership aims to tackle bulk bag waste in the beverage industry.

AO has made strides in its waste management efforts, with spectators opting for drinks served in packaging that supports the event's sustainability ethos. PKN reporter Navan Kaur was on the ground.

Tennis fans attending the Australian Open 2025 will be served beverages in reusable cups, an initiative by Sustainability Victoria to reduce single-use plastic waste and promote sustainable practices.

Conserving Beauty, an Australian-based skincare brand that prides itself on innovative, sustainable solutions, has recently incorporated NatureFlex films into the sachet packaging of its cleansing wipes.

The Detmold Group has outlined its 2025-2050 sustainability goals to address climate impact, circularity, and environmental responsibility. It plans to make 95 per cent of its packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable.

Pac Food’s PP/EVOH lined sugarcane trays have been approved by APCO as recyclable without needing to remove the lining, making the trays a sustainable choice for meal packaging.

BioPak has released its 2024 Impact Certificate showing progress of its Give Back Fund initiative, which has directed 5% of the company’s profits to environmental and social charities.

Growing environmental concerns have driven a surge in bioplastics, but unclear labelling for disposal is creating serious challenges, according to a new report from CSIRO. 

Packamama has won the Recycled Content Award at the 2024 APCO Annual Awards. The award recognises the company’s use of 100 per cent Australian recycled PET in its eco-flat wine bottles.

Planet Protector Packaging has won the 2024 AustCham Singapore Business Sustainability Award, for its Woolpack cold-chain solution aimed at the life sciences and pharma industries.

BioPak is launching its ‘Give Back Friday’ campaign, running from 29 November to 27 December, to support Rainforest Rescue, a not-for-profit organisation focused on rainforest protection and restoration.

NSW EPA is introducing new restrictions on single-use plastics in food and beverage packaging, set to take effect next year. The ban will target 'integrated packaging' components of packaged products.

Visy is installing solar panels at multiple sites to reduce its environmental impact; it will lower electricity use at six Victorian sites by 7 per cent and its beverage can site will reduce by 23 per cent.

Plastic Free July engaged 174m participants across 190 countries, including Australian banks and organisations, making it one of the most far-reaching global campaigns to tackle plastic waste this year.