Australian sustainable packaging solutions company BioPak has gained certification for its Aqueous coffee cups as home compostable to Australian standards (AS5810).

Packaging solutions company Amcor has been recognised for its strong commitment to sustainability with an ‘AA’ rating in the MSCI Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating.

McDonald’s Corporation has pledged to evaluate and report on the opportunities and risks posed by switching to reusable packaging, after being spurred into action by advocacy group As You Sow.

The federal and Queensland Labor governments have announced the first three projects to be funded under the $40 million Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund.

Sealed Air has collaborated with APR Plastics to successfully trial advanced recycling for the processing of its new Cryovac barrier shrink bag – R90, a sustainable retail packaging solution for fresh meats.

Woolworths has introduced a new range of reusable bags, made from 70 per cent recyclable materials, designed to celebrate and support Australian communities, including designs by Indigenous artists.

The NSW Container Deposit Scheme has reached a new recycling milestone, with nine billion bottles, cans and drink cartons returned by the community through the Return and Earn return point network.

The Wonder Recycling Rewards program, now in its third year, has is partnering with APR Plastics which will use the soft plastics collected via schools in advanced chemical recycling trials.

Penrith, NSW, is the first place in Australia to get a road partially constructed from recycled coffee cups, collected via the Simply Cups program that is run by Closed Loop Environmental Solutions.

Sustainable packaging manufacturer Caspak has developed a new PET top web that is free of PVDC and seals to thermoformable PET films or preformed mono layer semi-rigid trays.

Boomerang has developed a plan for the efficient recovery and recycling of household soft plastics, and is also calling for a comprehensive response from government, producers and retailers.

The amount of polystyrene collected in the nation’s urban rivers and catchments has halved in 12 months following voluntary bans, causing federal government to consider making them mandatory.

Amcor has been awarded an A- by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) as part of its annual ratings, recognising the company’s ongoing sustainability commitment and achievements.

Woolworths stores in Queensland have begun to voluntarily phase out their 15-cent reusable plastic shopping bags as part of the retailer’s commitment to stop selling the bags nationwide.

Packaging and processing machinery supplier Nupac and its partner Syntegon have taken a leadership role in providing FMCG companies with insight into sustainable material options and machinery to match.

Tetra Pak's marketing director Jaymie Pagdato shares the latest company developments and market trends with PKN.