Sustainable packaging:
A core of our packaging innovations
Sustainable packaging is in the core of our innovation efforts here at O F Packaging. The shift to eco-packaging in Australia continues and we stay on top of it by pushing the boundaries of our packaging designs and manufacturing capabilities.
Our industry has already made significant strides in environmentally friendly packaging. Moving forward, we believe functionality and sustainability will drive the further development of packing materials. O F Packaging’s products too have evolved over the years. And we’re proud to offer state-of-the-art packaging alternatives that are not only stylish, but also sustainable and functional.
Eco-friendly packaging solutions from O F Packaging
Recyclable packaging
We remain focused on providing our own sustainable packaging solutions that will keep packing materials within a circular economy. This means limiting single-use plastic and reducing packaging waste, along with its irreversible environmental impact.
Our eco-friendly packaging items are available in recyclable packaging materials that remain true to their purpose of protecting and extending the shelf life of your products.
Mono-polymer pouches and films
These packaging products are made from a single plastic material or in combination with other materials in the same polymer family, meaning the packs are easily recyclable.
High-barrier recyclable - Pack Cycle
Pack Cycle is also a mono-polymer packaging solution that uses specially formulated polyolefins that creates a high-barrier film with good rigidity.
Benefits
- Economical
- Can stand multiple storage conditions
- Can be used for dry goods and liquid products
- Resealable option
- Microwave-safe
Available packaging formats
Kerbside Recyclable Pouches
Using the Roll ‘n’ Recycle concept, O F Pack has worked on a specialized label made from the same mono-polymer as a recyclable pouch. This label is pre-adhered to the packaging during packaging production, and means the entire pack and label contain only one type of plastic.
Once end consumers of the product are finished with the packaging, they can peel off a section of the label and apply it to the empty rolled-up pouch, creating a three-dimensional shape that can move through the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) without issue (just like a plastic bottle!). Eliminating the problems of recycling contamination, using Roll ‘n’ Recycle allows us to create pouch packaging that is kerbside recyclable!
Recycled packaging
Several industries are committing to a circular economy and O F Packaging is one with this movement. Our sustainability efforts include offering recycled packaging materials in a variety of designs including bags, pouches and even cardboard boxes.
We have 100%-recycled products and can produce all of our flexible pouches with some level of recycled material. This is made possible through our ability to source a higher-quality of recycled feedstock from both post-consumer and post-manufacturing sources.
Benefits
- Using recycled materials closes the loop of sustainability
- Several customisation options
- Recommended use for non-food contact packaging layers
Available packaging formats
As part of our extensive partnership networks, O F Packaging collaborates with Zero Co. over the production and continuous development of recycled and reusable packaging products.
Compostable packaging
O F Packaging also offers compostable packaging pouches and rewind films for applicable products, which can be certified to Australian standards. As part of our focus on sustainable packaging products, we recommend compostable packaging primarily for single-use packs.
Benefits
- Made from materials that are guaranteed to break down under six months
- Pouches and bags can come with compostable zipper closure
- Can be used as garbage bin liners
Available packaging formats
A Deeper Look Into Our Story
Our ongoing journey towards sustainability
As a professional packaging supplier, we don’t mislabel our products just for the sake of “greenwashing.” Our years of expertise led us to embrace a central role in reducing food and material waste, while improving our own carbon footprint. We provide real and viable sustainable packaging products with integrity.
We continue to invest in research and development to improve our packaging products and their sustainability. O F Packaging launched its very own printed, fully recyclable stand up pouch in 2019 and our eco-friendly packaging alternatives have evolved since. Our green packaging solutions now include solvent-free film lamination that lessens the environmental impact of packaging production.
O F Packaging is also a proud member of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), the Australian Institute of Packaging and other relevant organisations in the industry. We work closely with these industry groups in advancing sustainable packaging options that will help achieve Australia’s National Waste Targets.
Our sustainability movement extends beyond our products and also covers our business practices. These include the following goals:
- Increase recycling rates by 40%.
- Re-calibration and order consolidation for our digital print pouch-forming machine to cut product waste to below 1% in each run.
- Reduce office paper use by 25%.
- Eliminate single-use plastic utensils in the office.
- Reuse marketing materials, banners and displays for trade shows.
Apart from in-house innovation on sustainability, we also collaborate with our customers, suppliers, industry professionals, the government and the waste recovery sector. The latest addition to our group, O F Resource Recovery, is a testament to this.
O F Resource Recovery
O F Resource Recovery is the result of our recent combination with One Paper, Laverton. This new business is focused on the recovery industry for cartons and paper, and we see the expansion potential to eventually include soft plastic. Through this new venture, we look forward to offering a breadth of recovery and recycling services to our clients and the market in general.
Our sustainability journey continues as we aim to be a leading innovator and supplier of recyclable flexible packaging in Australia and beyond.
The shift to eco packaging in Australia
The early 2000s saw the start of significant activism across the globe for more sustainability and human responsibility over nature and the environment. Evidence of climate change and the impacts of our over consumption and excessive waste sparked a worldwide clamour for nature protection and environmental preservation.
Several industries have answered this call. We are now seeing a wider movement focused on awareness and finding solutions to pressing environmental issues. For the packaging sector, the APCO set 2025 National Packaging Targets with support from the Australian government and environmental officials.
The APCO’s goals on sustainable packaging are:
- 100% of all Australia’s packaging will be re-usable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 or earlier.
- 70% of Australia’s plastic packaging will be recycled or composted by 2025.
- 30% average recycled materials will be included across all packaging by 2025.
- Problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging will be phased out through design, innovation or introduction of alternatives.
Currently, sustainable packaging in Australia centers on bio-plastics and recyclable packaging options.
Bio-plastics
The main application of bio-plastics is as compostable packaging. These materials can be bio-based or a mixture of fossil and non-fossil fuel sources. While the potential is there, issues over the commercialisation and disposal of compostable films remain.
Plant-based or pulp-based packaging often have limited barrier protection. These packaging alternatives need an additional coating to meet certain product requirements. Compostable packaging is also recommended for single-use only. These materials still end up in landfills instead of being properly composted.
Cellophane, which now goes under the brand name Nature Flex, is the first naturally compostable, commercial plastic film. These plastics are made from regenerated cellulose that is mostly derived from wood pulp. Several packaging products now use cellophane, with other bio-based plastics or paper, for its compostable properties.
Recyclable packaging
Recyclables are generally made from a single type of plastic polymer. These sustainable packaging products use either polyethylene or polypropylene materials instead of multi-layers of different polymers. Plastic packaging materials that use a single polymer type are easier to recycle.
It may seem like a simple switch but even with existing technologies, we can’t replace all complex laminates with more recycling-friendly packaging alternatives yet. O F Packaging continues to explore recyclable packaging. We believe recycling and re-using post-consumer materials will help reduce waste and curb the “throw-away” culture.
Australian business industries, as well as consumers, have made tremendous progress in sustainability. But is it enough?
Unfortunately, we now face an influx of recycling demands on top of our existing environmental problems. Investments in innovation and infrastructure to match the recycling requirements continue, but the longer term challenge is the buy back of recycled waste.
There are also issues with the commercialisation and disposal of compostable films. And home composting for these packaging materials requires extensive education to be effective. Indeed, eco-packaging in Australia is not without challenges.
The good thing? Progress is ongoing. We, the packaging industry, businesses, regulators and even consumers, should continue working together towards sustainability and better environment protection
FAQs on sustainable packaging
What does sustainable packaging mean?
Sustainable packaging is the eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic. It is intended to limit the packaging industry’s environmental impact through packaging designs that are reusable, recyclable or compostable.
What is the difference between biodegradable and compostable packaging?
The terms biodegradable and compostable are often used without responsibility, confusing consumers who consider eco-friendly packaging in product purchases.
Biodegradable is broadly used, mostly to lure customers into buying products that claim to be environmentally friendly. These materials break down on their own but without specific guidelines on degradation.
Compostable materials, on the other hand, degrade within a specified time period. At the end of their life cycle, these materials can be mixed with compost and added to soil. The Australasian Bioplastics Association certifies product compostability in Australia after testing for ecotoxicity and earthworm survival.
Companies are legally required to properly label their products because inaccurate or misleading labels are punishable under Australian laws.
Can we use compostable packaging for all kinds of products?
The applications of compostables, even as a sustainable packaging option, remain limited because it is designed to degrade under specific conditions. This means compostables are more susceptible to microbial attacks over time and can compromise the quality of certain products, especially sensitive food items.
Can we reuse or recycle biodegradable or compostable packaging materials?
NO. Compostable and biodegradable packaging has physical properties that are designed to break down over time. Their materials are generally weaker and more vulnerable to external factors and these are why they are recommended for single-use packaging purposes.
What is the most sustainable packaging - biodegradable, compostable or recyclable?
Given the current landscape of consumer behaviour and business practices, recycling gives the most environmental benefit. Recyclable packaging reduces the use of single-use plastics and overall waste volume by keeping materials within a circular economy.
In fact, the government has committed $167 million to the Australian Recycling Investment Plan, which aims to recover 80% of all waste streams and halve organic waste sent to landfill by 2030. Furthermore, Australian Environment Ministers in 2019 established a timeline for banning waste exports to push for innovations in recycling and local waste management.
There are cases, however, where compostable packaging provides more environmental value as a sustainable packaging alternative. These cases include specific applications that involve heavy contamination with food or other organic products, such as takeaway containers and food waste bags or bin liners.
What are the Roll ‘n’ Recycle and REDCycle Return to Store programs?
The Roll ‘n’ Recycle and REDCycle Return to Store programs and separate initiatives that organise the collection of recyclable, eco-packaging in Australia.
Roll ‘n’ Recycle was initially created by PREP Design’s Anthony Peyton to collect soft plastic that will be processed through Australia’s existing kerbside recycling collection and infrastructure. It requires consumers to roll and tape their packaging material to create a “6” shape before placing it to a recycling bin for collection.
The RED Group’s REDCycle program is a recovery initiative that covers certain kinds of post-consumer soft plastics. The program allows consumers to collect these plastic materials and drop them off in REDcycle bins at participating supermarkets located all over Australia.
Plastics collected under these programs need to meet a specific criteria that qualifies the materials for recycling.
H2: Need more information on sustainable packaging or eco-packaging in Australia?
Do you have more questions about eco-friendly packaging and our innovations in the sector? Contact us anytime! Our experts are always ready to discuss our sustainable packaging products.
Need more information on sustainable packaging or eco-packaging in Australia?
Do you have more questions about eco-friendly packaging and our innovations in the sector? Contact us anytime! Our experts are always ready to discuss our sustainable packaging products.