Our Commitment To Sustainability

Loading...

Why We Design Packaging for the Circular Economy

In a world threatened by climate change and plastic pollution, it is clear that conducting ‘business as usual’ is not an option. The traditional economic model is linear, and can be simplified as having three basic stages – take, make and waste. BioPak is committed to disrupt this out-dated model and to invest in a waste-free future, where innovative design and corporate responsibility intersect to create a circular economy. Our plant-based products are designed to minimise the impact on our environment at each stage of their life cycle, by using innovative materials that are both sustainably sourced and rapidly renewable. The footprint of reclaimed, recycled materials and FSC™ wood is smaller than that of traditional plastics.

In addition, compostable packaging can help divert food scraps from landfill, avoiding harmful greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing organic matter. Both food waste and compostable packaging can go in the same bin to be turned into nutrient-rich compost, often reducing the cost of waste collections for our customers. We are not about being ‘less bad’ – we care about the end of life of our products and the impact of our business. Our culture of transparency and accountability means our environmental claims are rigorously investigated and backed up by third-party certifications. As a certified B Corp we have worked to create a business that values people, planet and profit. When our products end up in landfill, the carbon emissions they release represent 50% of their total lifecycle footprint. We are working on an emissions reduction roadmap that will see us invest in local projects that help divert packaging and food waste from landfills. We are also working to reduce our operations and supply chain emissions.

A graphic demonstrating the circular nature of our products. The first step in the circle reads “materials matter” with a picture of a tree and a cob of corn. The arrow then points to “ethical supply chain” with a picture of our sustainable packagingA graphic demonstrating the circular nature of our products. The first step in the circle reads “materials matter” with a picture of a tree and a cob of corn. The arrow then points to “ethical supply chain” with a picture of our sustainable packaging

Materials Matter

The raw material choice is a critical part of the circular economy – that is why we choose rapidly renewable or reclaimed plant-based raw materials as alternatives to regular plastic. Our products are designed to turn into compost, a new, valuable and locally produced resource, at the end of their useful life. We are continually investing in technology and material innovations – we are currently researching new fibre-based materials that perform even better in terms of customer experience and environmental impact.

two black aqueous cups with sugarcane lidstwo black aqueous cups with sugarcane lids

Aqueous

Aqueous cups are manufactured using a unique waterproof barrier coating, reducing the material needed. Each cup is leakproof and durable.

Learn More

rice meal served on plant fibre plate packagingrice meal served on plant fibre plate packaging

Plant Fibre

Plant fibre is made from bagasse (sugarcane pulp). A versatile, strong and inexpensive solution.

Learn More

food served on pla bioplastic packagingfood served on pla bioplastic packaging

PLA Bioplastic

PLA is from plant-based resources like corn and cassava. BioPak's PLA products are certified industrially compostable.

Learn More

acai bowl on a responsibly sourced paper and birchwood packagingacai bowl on a responsibly sourced paper and birchwood packaging

FSC™ Paper & Birchwood

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC™) logo means that our wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Learn More

Facilities certifications are one of the important factors in our partner selection process. Our partner production facilities are certified to internationally recognised ISO 14000 Environmental Management Standard – or are in the process of applying for certification. We have been working with the majority of our manufacturing partners for over 10 years and constantly help each other to improve on quality and innovation. We regularly conduct on-site audits to ensure our stringent requirements are met and strengthen our business relationships.

  1. Why Do Certifications Matter?
    Why Do Certifications Matter?

    Certifications prove that a company or product’s claims are true.

    Learn more
  2. Supply Chain Transparency
    Supply Chain Transparency

    We are committed to achieving complete supply chain transparency.

    Learn more
  3. Ethical Sourcing Policy
    Ethical Sourcing Policy

    Our ethical sourcing policy is a key element in our commitment to sustainability.

    Learn more
  4. Modern Slavery Statement
    Modern Slavery Statement

    It is our corporate responsibility to take an active role in addressing potential risks.

    Learn more

Supply Chain

Facilities certifications are one of the important factors in our partner selection process. Our partner production facilities are certified to internationally recognised ISO 14000 Environmental Management Standard – or are in the process of applying for certification. We have been working with the majority of our manufacturing partners for over 10 years and constantly help each other to improve on quality and innovation. We regularly conduct on-site audits to ensure our stringent requirements are met and strengthen our business relationships.

  1. Why Do Certifications Matter?
    Why Do Certifications Matter?

    Certifications prove that a company or product’s claims are true.

    Learn more
  2. Supply Chain Transparency
    Supply Chain Transparency

    We are committed to achieving complete supply chain transparency.

    Learn more
  3. Ethical Sourcing Policy
    Ethical Sourcing Policy

    Our ethical sourcing policy is a key element in our commitment to sustainability.

    Learn more
  4. Modern Slavery Statement
    Modern Slavery Statement

    It is our corporate responsibility to take an active role in addressing potential risks.

    Learn more

End-of-life

The life cycle of our products is one of the most important things our team considers when designing products. We invest in understanding the environmental impact of the raw materials sourced, ensuring our products can be composted, understanding the business carbon emissions, and supporting the treatment at the end of life with our composting initiative, Compost Connect. Compost Connect is a not-for-profit compost network created by BioPak to connect food service businesses directly with industrial composters. Read more on our disposal page.

  1. Compostable vs Recyclable: Which Is Better for the Environment?
    Compostable vs Recyclable: Which Is Better for the Environment?

    Which is better for the environment, composting or recycling?

    Learn more
  2. Biodegradable vs Compostable Packaging – Which Is Better?
    Biodegradable vs Compostable Packaging – Which Is Better?

    Which option is better for the environment? Read more to become an expert!

    Learn more
  3. What Are the Different Types of Composting?
    What Are the Different Types of Composting?

    Learn about the different types of home and industrial composting methods.

    Learn more

Profit for Purpose

Why BioPak is a Profit for Purpose

We explain why we are a profit for purpose business.

Learn more

What It Means to Be a B Corp

The B Corp movement has been pioneering a new breed of business.

Learn more

Sustainability at BioPak

We are closing the loop with our innovative compostable food packaging.

Learn more

Carbon Footprint

29% Raw materials & Product Manufacturing

Materials used for the production of our products, such as sugarcane pulp, wood, paper and PLA and the process to transform the raw materials into the final product. 

Benefits of Bioplastic: Manufacturing Ingeo™ bioplastic produces approximately 80% less greenhouse gases and uses approximately 52% less non-renewable energy than traditional plastic.*

5% Packaging

Packaging used for protecting and transporting our products.

8% Product Freight

All shipping and road freight required to transport our products from the factory to our local warehouses, and then to our customers.

0.4% Organisation Operations

BioPak’s office activities include electricity, IT services and equipment.

57% End of life / Disposal

We created Compost Connect,  a platform to connect food services businesses with industrial composters to ensure as much of our packaging is composted as possible, instead of going to landfill. 

Let’s achieve zero waste and our collective carbon footprint is reduced to a third!

BioPak Sustainability Report 22/23

Our vision is a world without waste, driving change toward a circular economy. We are closing the loop with our innovative compostable food packaging and encouraging the growth of the local industrial compost industry.

Together We Are Making a Difference

We work with industry, government, customers and consumers to develop systems and invest in innovative materials to change the future. This can’t be done alone – it is critical that manufacturers take responsibility for their products and work with industry and consumers to create an economic model where we work with the planet, not against it. Collaboration is the cornerstone of our success.

sustainable packaging partner Ellen MacArthur Foundation logosustainable packaging partner Ellen MacArthur Foundation logo
sustainable packaging partner Australian Bioplastic Association logosustainable packaging partner Australian Bioplastic Association logo
sustainable packaging partner WasteMINZ logosustainable packaging partner WasteMINZ logo
sustainable packaging partner APCO logosustainable packaging partner APCO logo
sustainable packaging partner AORA logosustainable packaging partner AORA logo
sustainable packaging partner Packaging Forum logosustainable packaging partner Packaging Forum logo