PROGRESS REPORT
Raw Materials
The materials we use play a pivotal role in achieving a circular economy. That’s why we opt for rapidly renewable, reclaimed, and plant-based materials – a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. But we don’t stop there, we continuously invest in finding new, innovative materials and customisation technology, broadening our range of sustainable packaging solutions across various industries.
In 2023, we introduced Aqueous to the market, a new water-based dispersion coating that’s certified home compostable. Innovations like these are particularly important as global single-use plastic bans gain momentum. Now more than ever, plastic production, pollution, and the shortage of recycling infrastructure is a pressing issue. By channelling significant resources into research and development, we’re staying ahead of these bans and addressing consumer concerns.
Directing our focus to polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS), we are the first in Australia to start production on a complete assortment of plant-based fibre products with no intentionally added PFAS. The launch was set for 2023, however, the recent global shipping disruptions have slowed down our release to the market. We are on track for a full transition by June 2024 for the APAC region. We will continue to operate with full transparency and work closely with industry bodies, regulators and our clients throughout this process.
Leanne Osborne
Managing Director UK
Plant Fibre
We combine sugarcane pulp (bagasse) with other plant-based pulp to create what we call ‘plant fibre.’ A versatile, strong and inexpensive solution.
FSC™ Paper & Birchwood
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC™) logo means our wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests – taking into account water use, energy use, community support and more.
Aqueous
Finally, home compostable cups are here. Aqueous cups are manufactured using a unique waterproof barrier coating, reducing the material needed. Each cup is leakproof and durable.
PLA Bioplastic
PLA (short for polylactic acid) is a type of bioplastic made from plant-based resources like corn. BioPak’s PLA products are certified industrially compostable.
Plant Fibre with No Added PFAS
Sweet, Sweet Sugarcane
A by-product of the sugar-refining industry, plant fibre is a recycled and rapidly renewable resource. In Australia, we will be the first in our industry to stop intentionally adding PFAS to our entire range of plant fibre products in 2024.
A Sugarcane Success Story
We worked with several large QSRs, who were our committed partners in finding new and innovative plant fibre solutions that maintain grease and moisture resistance, two key factors in packaging containing intentionally added PFAS. Their invaluable feedback throughout the process, from R&D to production and product trial, helped shape BioPak’s new plant fibre range with no added PFAS. Many of them phased out intentionally added PFAS from their custom BioPak range completely.
What’s New in Plant Fibre
We’ve launched a new plant fibre hot cup lid with no intentionally added PFAS. The new lid design features an innovative clip fit, ensuring a secure and lasting seal. Its sleek and low-profile design prevents the lid from getting soggy, while offering enhanced convenience and reliability.
Responsible Forestry Comes First
FSC™ certified paper is sourced from sustainably-managed forests or controlled sources. Look for the FSC™ Chain of Custody number to check if a supplier really is certified, BioPak’s number is C110879. We are in the process of transitioning production of our BioCups to FSC™ paper and expanding our FSC™ range to include SOS paper bags and pizza boxes.
A Win for Forests, a Win for Our Customers
We provide a range of FSC™ certified products to leading businesses. Greencore use our FSC™ certified wooden fork in their ready-to-go supermarket salads, McDonalds and KFC both use a brand new FSC™ certified 4-ply paper spoon straw, and 7 Eleven stock a range of FSC™ certified paper cold cups.
What’s New in FSC™ Paper & Wood
SOS bags are designed to provide you with the utmost convenience and durability. Crafted from high-quality and sustainably sourced FSC™ certified paper, these SOS paper bags are versatile, making them a top choice for packing breads, bakery delights and takeout meals on the go. SOS paper bags are recyclable.
Certified Home Compostable Coffee Cups Are Here!
BioPak has released certified home compostable Aqueous coffee cups on FSC™ certified paper. This breakthrough technology is a game-changer in disposable paper cups, offering a certified compostable alternative that’s food-safe, odourless, and can be disposed of right in your backyard compost bin. Our Aqueous BioCups won the 2024 WorldStar Packaging Materials and Components Category!
Aqueous Meets Campos
It’s important to Campos, the much loved Australian coffee roaster, that its iconic green cups are environmentally friendly. In 2023, they moved to certified home compostable Aqueous BioCups and plant fibre lids. “We’ve worked with BioPak for years, and their devotion to the environment has always aligned with ours. BioPak has helped us ensure that we’re always moving in the right direction with sustainability,” Campos Coffee Commercial Director John Ronchi.
What’s New in Aqueous
Our paper bowls and rectangular containers are now manufactured using a water-based aqueous lining, instead of bioplastic! These ranges are in the process of receiving Australian home compostable certification (AS5810).
Innovative Lining Shake Up
The lining or coating is a small percentage of a product’s material footprint, but it can make all the difference when it comes to its sustainability. BioPak is heavily investing in the research and development of new linings to further shake up the sustainable market. We are investigating plant-based PLA bioplastic lined home compostable cups and PHA lined cups.
PHA, the Next Breakthrough Lining Technology
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polyesters produced by various microorganisms. These polymers can be created through bacterial fermentation of sugars or lipids. Unlike petroleum-based plastics, PHAs break down in the ocean and soil within a significantly shorter period of time. We are currently conducting trials to understand the functionality of the product in a “real world environment”.
What’s New in PLA
FSC™ certified square containers have a greaseproof lining made from bioplastic, not oil. Available in kraft and white, customers can use BioPak square paper bowls for their gourmet takeaway, sushi platter, or salad! These paper square bowls are certified industrially compostable to AS4736 standards.
Combating Greenwashing Through Education and Advocacy
Greenwashing is when organisations make their products, services or practices seem more environmentally friendly than what they actually are. At BioPak, we’re taking a stand against greenwashing through radical transparency, encouraging a world where businesses are accountable for the claims they make.
Here are a few of the ways we’re combating greenwashing:
Transparency
We’re transparent about our raw materials and supply chain, including the impact they have and the challenges we face. We continuously review our claims to keep up with changing legislation and invest in new technology to back up these claims – like our Carbon Labelling scheme which uses scientific evidence to support our statements (due to be rolled out in 2024).
Advertising Standards
We’ve established a relationship with ACCC and Ad Standards to help restore consumer faith in environmental claims and create clear guidelines for businesses to promote their sustainability efforts. Similar marketing standards are upheld at BioPak UK driven by the Green Claims code for businesses published by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and continually monitored by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) and the Trading Standards Authority (TSA).
Education
We continue to educate both businesses and end consumers about composting certifications, correct disposal and end-of-life claims through both BioPak and Compost Connect. This empowers consumers to spot greenwashing and make informed purchase decisions.
Our Progress
COMPLETED
Achieve compost certifications for our BioBoard range and straws
Our paper straws are now certified home compostable to European standards NF T51-800.
Our bioplastic-lined BioBoard range of lunch and noodle boxes are certified industrially compostable to Australian AS4736 and European EN13432 standards.
Expand our plant fibre-based solutions
We already made the switch to a plastic-free plant fibre solution with no added PFAS for our produce trays and lids for coffee cups and cold cups, and lids for our plant fibre takeaway bowls and containers.
We are expanding our plant fibre lid range, adding 4oz coffee cup lids, and natural-coloured coffee cup lids.
Expand our Aqueous home compostable range
Our Aqueous cups are manufactured using a unique water-based barrier coating instead of traditional plastic or bioplastic. They are now certified home compostable to Australian (AS5810) and European (NF T51-800) standards and also certified industrially compostable to Australian (AS4736) and European (EN13432) standards.
We have started using Aqueous for our other paper products that require lining, such as our bowls, rectangle containers, noodles and lunch box BioBoard range. We are committed to bringing you the most sustainable and innovative materials.
ON TRACK
Phase out intentionally added PFAS from our BioCane range
Some meals require greater grease resistance than others. Traditionally the foodservice industry has been using PFAS, a greaseproof additive, as a solution in both plant fibre products as well as pizza boxes and paperboard.
Out of an abundance of caution and to always be ahead with regard to sustainability, we will be the first in our industry in Australia to phase out intentionally added PFAS to our entire range of plant fibre products in 2024.
Support our customers with single-use plastic bans
BioPak supports businesses in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Hong Kong to be single-use plastic (SUP) bans compliant, providing them with free packaging assessments, easy-to-understand SUP bans resources and educational campaigns.
We have also been expanding our range of products to support increased demand from businesses looking to move away from plastic.
We have grown our FSC™ certified cutlery range (Greencore use our fork in their ready-to-go supermarket salads), provided a brand new 4-ply paper spoon straw (used by both McDonalds & KFC ) and a range of FSC™ certified paper cold cups (used by 7 Eleven).
We launched unbranded and uncoated wooden cutlery for a cost-effective solution and new certified home compostable plant fibre cutlery, another great alternative to single-use plastic cutlery.
We have also released plant fibre pulp lids with no intentionally added PFAS helping customers transition away from conventional plastic lids.
Source a new home compostable lining
Migrate all paper products to FSC™ certified paper
We are in the process of transitioning our BioCups to FSC™ certified paper and expect to achieve this by the end of 2024.
We also expanded our FSC™ certified range to include SOS paper bags and are currently in production of pizza boxes.
Look for the FSC™ Chain of Custody number to check if a supplier really is certified, BioPak’s number is C110879.
Phase out plastic sleeves used to protect our retail product range from contamination during transport and storage
For food safety, we need to seal all our products, and due to cost and functionality considerations, we have been using plastic sleeves. We continue our material research to find a suitable non-plastic/bioplastic solution.
In 2022, we upgraded our retail products to be completely plastic-free using recycled paper sleeves.
Phase out regular plastic products
5% of our range is made from conventional plastic due to either cost or functional requirements. These products will be phased out of our range by the end of 2025. We have made strong progress this year replacing PS and PLA coffee cup lids with plant fibre lids.
Single-use plastic legislation has banned several plastic items and plastic types, helping drive customer demand for more environmentally friendly alternatives.
DELAYED
Print compost certifications on all products
We now print the compost certifications on all new products, including our cold paper cups and the BioCup Art Series. We are working on printing our certifications on all of our products by the end of 2024.
Learn more about compost certifications here>
Overview
