O F Packaging Australia
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Our Sustainable Solutions

Sustainable packaging:
A core of our packaging innovations

Sustainable packaging made of recycled materials

Sustainable packaging is in the core of our innovation efforts here at O F Packaging. The shift to eco-packaging in Australia and around the globe continues to gain momentum, 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 creating more environmentally friendly packaging. Moving forward, we believe functionality and sustainability will drive the further development of packing materials above all else.

O F Packaging are proud to offer state-of-the-art packaging alternatives that are not only stylish, but can also be sustainable and functional.

Types of Sustainable Packaging

recyclable
Recyclable
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recycled
Recycled
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compostable
Compostable
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Sustainable Packaging Solutions from O F Packaging

recyclable

Recyclable packaging

We remain focused on providing our own packaging solutions that are more eco-friendly than traditional soft plastic materials, and provide better feedstock at end of life to help keep packing materials within a circular economy. This means limiting packaging weight and reducing packaging waste, along with its irreversible environmental impact.

When clients enquire about eco-friendly packaging items, our first recommendation is the use of recyclable packaging materials. Our recyclable material structures stay true to their purpose of protecting and extending the shelf life of your products, and can be used for anything from packaging films and rewind, through to pre-made pouches and bags

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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 and contain no PVDC, PET, Nylon or Aluminium films.

High-barrier recyclable - Pack Cycle

Pack Cycle is our mono-polymer packaging solution that uses specially-formulated polyolefins, creating a high-barrier film with good rigidity. Pack Cycle is ideal for sensitive products that require a high barrier to oxygen and moisture.

Available performance requirements
  • High barrier
  • Fridge & freezer storage
  • Liquid products
  • Hot-fill
  • Vacuum packing
  • Modified atmosphere (gas flushing)
  • Microwave-safe
Available packaging formats

Kerbside Recyclable Pouches- Roll ‘n’ Recycle

Using the Roll ‘n’ Recycle concept, O F Pack has worked with partners PREP Design and Result Group on a new recycling innovation. Pouches utilise a specialised label made from the same polymer as our recyclable materials, which is pre-adhered to the packaging during production.

Once end consumers of the product are finished with the packaging, they can simply peel off the label and re-apply it to the empty, rolled-up pouch. This creates 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 and is a world first invention.

This innovation in recyclable packaging won O F Packaging the coveted Diamond Accolade at the 2021 Dow Packaging Innovation Awards in Switzerland, a 2022 WorldStar Packaging Award, and dual Packaging Innovation Design Awards (PIDA) in 2021.

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Read more about our recyclable packaging options
recycled

Recycled Content Packaging

A key part of sustainability practices and moving to a circular economy structure involves the use of recycled content back into products. While this is challenging in the flexible packaging space due to food safety requirements, O F Packaging is taking on this challenge.

Our sustainability efforts include recycled packaging materials, ideal for a range of non-food contact applications and packaging products including outer bags, pouches, and cardboard boxes. 

We have recycled content products and can produce all of our different flexible pouch types using a percentage of recycled material for non food grade applications.

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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.
Read more about our recycled packaging options
compostable

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 will break down under six months
  • Pouches and bags can come with compostable zipper closure
  • Can be used as garbage bin liners
Available packaging formats
Read more about our compostable packaging options
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.

Joe Foster of O F Packaging at ProPak Asia

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.

CtL Group Logo PNG 11 2

We are excited to announce the merger between O F Packaging and Close the Loop, to form Close the Loop Group.

In addition to the merger, the Founder- led Group will be listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (CLG) from December 2, 2021.

With locations in Australia, Belgium, South Africa, and the United States, Close the Loop Group aim to be a market leader in urban mining.

More information on the group can be found here.

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.

O F Resource Recovery Logo Landscape2

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 plastic packaging for laundry detergent

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 printing Tonkin 2

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.

2025 Natl Packaging Target Revised

FAQs on sustainable packaging

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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