Loading...

PROGRESS REPORT

Responsible Supply Chain

At BioPak, we recognise that a responsible supply chain is the backbone of our commitment to sustainability. 

2024 presented significant challenges for global supply chains, and BioPak was not immune to these disruptions. However, these obstacles have only strengthened our resolve and deepened our collaboration with our existing manufacturing and logistics partners. Overcoming these hurdles allowed us to onboard new suppliers, fostering relationships that are critical to achieving our environmental and operational goals. 

We’re proud to share that our new suppliers are on track to secure internationally recognised Food Safety and Environmental Management Standard ISO certifications. Additionally, our supplier scorecard, introduced this year, has been instrumental in tracking the environmental and social progress of our manufacturing partners. This tool ensures we maintain transparency, accountability, and excellence across our supply chain. 

Today, our success relies on strong partnerships and close collaboration to uphold the highest standards of quality, safety, and environmental stewardship, while advancing innovative practices that support our shared vision for a better future. As we navigate the complexities of supply chain management, we remain steadfast in advocating for meaningful change and leading by example. Together with our partners, we’re setting the standard for the future of packaging, demonstrating that sustainability and operational excellence can go hand in hand.


Toong Tsang
Senior Quality Assurance Manager



Proof Through Certifications 

Keeping Supply Chains In Check

Certifications demonstrate a company’s commitment to quality, safety and sustainability. They help consumers and businesses shop and sell responsibly.

ISO 14000 Environmental

Our goal is to have 80% of our manufacturing partners achieve ISO 14001 certification. This standard provides a framework that an organisation can implement to ensure the environmental impacts are considered and managed during the manufacturing process.

FSC™/PEFC™ Chain-of-Custody 

Majority of our paper products are made with FSC™ certified paper. Look for the FSC™ trademark license code to check if a supplier really is certified, BioPak’s code is C110879.

Learn More About FSC™ >

Social Responsibility Certification

Our facilities are audited against industry standards such as SA8000, SMETA or BSCI, which ensures our commitment to Social Accountability in the areas where we operate.

Food Safety Accreditation

We ensure that all our production facilities not only comply with international food safety regulations, BRC and ISO 22000, but constantly strive for improvements.

Modern Slavery

We’ve mapped risks associated with our supply chain, designed and implemented mitigation processes, which are formalised in our Modern Slavery Policy.

Read our Modern Slavery Policy >

Human Rights

It’s fundamental to respect the dignity and rights of anyone affected by our business as well as the boundaries of our planet. At BioPak Group, we commit to respect all internationally recognised human rights, including those outlined in the International Bill of Rights and the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) core conventions.

Read our Human Rights Commitment >



Collaborating With Policymakers and Industry Stakeholders

We’re seen as the go-to voice in the packaging industry. We work to define best practice and advise policymakers on compostable packaging and end-of-life solutions.

Australian Government

Since 2005, South Australia has set the standard for diverting food waste and compostable packaging from landfill. Building on this success, BioPak is working with the NSW EPA to drive similar progress. In 2024, in partnership with Compost Connect, BioPak released research on the composting industry in South Australia. The research found that composting through council-provided FOGO bins is an effective waste management solution. South Australia Research Report > 

In response to a June 2024 proposal in Victoria to exclude compostable packaging from FOGO collections, BioPak published a summary of the proposal and submitted a series of recommendations, encouraging other businesses to submit their thoughts and opinions to DEECA. About Victoria's Proposal >.

We also support the DCCEEW’s September 2024 proposal for waste reduction and circular economy strategies, urging specific adjustments to meet Australia’s needs. About Australia's Packaging Regulatory Reform >.

In October 2024, we released detailed consumer research in collaboration with Compost Connect: "Composting Behaviours: Australian Consumer Insights." The research revealed a strong desire for composting amongst Australians, but there's a need for better support from councils. This prompted the launch of the Compost for Climate campaign. Read about the research, explore the Compost for Climate campaign, and sign the petition here.

Global Advocates

In July 2024, we stopped producing products with intentionally added PFAS and introduced a durable, home compostable (AS5810 and NFT51-800) plant fibre solution with no added PFAS. We advocate for PFAS bans in foodservice packaging worldwide.

UK Industry Bodies

In the UK, we’ve collaborated with industry bodies like FPA and BBIA on consultations regarding Simpler Recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility. We also consult with government bodies such as DEFRA and the Department for Business and Trade. We supported Systemiq’s report on PFAS in food delivery packaging, commissioned by Uber, highlighting our efforts to eliminate added PFAS.

Singapore Government

We continue to work with the Singapore government and industry bodies to promote compostable packaging and single-use plastic bans.

Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department

Since entering the Hong Kong market in 2023, we’ve worked with the Environmental Protection Department and key composters to find suitable end-of-life solutions. We’ve identified a local composter and plan to launch our partnership in 2025, offering end-of-life solutions for food and compostable packaging waste. We’re also helping businesses prepare for Phase 2 of the single-use plastic bans.



Collaborating With Our Customers and Partners

Students’ Innovation Wins at the Deliveroo and BioPak Packaging Competition

Organised by Deliveroo, and supported by BioPak, a competition at Sheffield Hallam University tasked students with developing sustainable packaging concepts. Two students won the competition with their innovative sealing system. They were tasked to create innovative and sustainable food packaging that prevents spillages, maintains food at the right temperature, and is cost-effective for restaurants. Sheffield Student's Innovative Sealing System >

Sustainability Action Tool Helping Small Businesses Fuel Their Sustainability Goals

CommBank’s (CBA) new Sustainability Action Tool (SAT) helps small businesses find simple ways to lower their environmental impact and reduce costs. SAT offers CBA customers a 20% discount on BioPak’s packaging. BioPak Partners With CBA and Small Business >

Hong Kong Implements Single-Use Plastics Ban to Combat Pollution

Hong Kong's Phase 1 single-use plastic ban, launched on Earth Day, marks a shift towards sustainability in a market dominated by plastic. BioPak has actively supported local businesses, ensuring a smooth transition to compliant solutions to address the waste crisis.



Advancing UN’s Sustainable Goals by Adopting a Transparent and Responsible Supply Chain

Advancing the United Nations’ SDGs >


Our Progress

COMPLETED

Food Safety Management certification

100% of our primary production facilities for intended food contact packaging are under a Food Safety Management System certified scheme.

ON TRACK

Maintain our ethical monitoring program

We require our suppliers to go through regular third-party ethical audits (SMETA, BSCI or SA8000).

Increase industry advocacy

Our industry advocacy aims to define best practices and advise policymakers on compostable packaging and end-of-life.

Australian Government

Since 2005, South Australia has been the leading state in diverting food waste and compostable packaging from landfill. BioPak is working with the NSW EPA to follow South Australia’s lead. To back up our claims, we released research proving that composting food waste and compostable packaging in SA via council-provided kerbside FOGO bins is a viable and effective waste management solution. Research Summary: South Australia

In June 2024, the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) proposed updating the Victorian Waste and Recycling Service Standards. Alarmingly, this proposal included a suggestion to exclude compostable packaging from Food and Garden Organic (FOGO) collections in Victoria. Rather than excluding compostable packaging, which is a step backward, we need more collaboration between the Government and the packaging industry. BioPak submitted our recommendations for the proposed regulation. About Victoria's proposal >

In September 2024, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) released a proposal outlining new strategies to tackle the challenges posed by waste from single-use packaging. This regulatory reform is crucial for Australia to meet its waste reduction objectives and uphold its commitment to environmental sustainability and a circular economy. The proposal includes industry-led, co-regulatory, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) models, designed to balance environmental, social, and economic considerations. BioPak supports the DCCEEW’s proposal, particularly Option 3 - EPR, which fosters greater accountability within the packaging system. The EPR model mandates producers to take responsibility for their packaging throughout its lifecycle, incentivising the development of recyclable or circular economy-focused packaging solutions. This approach has the potential to revolutionize packaging and waste management within organizations, aligning benefits for society, industry, and the environment. However, it’s essential to address specific areas to ensure the model effectively meets Australia’s distinct requirements. Australia's Packaging Regulatory Reform >

In October 2024, we released new consumer research, ”Composting Behaviours: Australian Consumer Insights”, in partnership with Compost Connect. The survey, which gathered insights from 1,003 respondents across the nation, sheds light on the public’s attitudes toward compostable packaging, recycling, and waste management. The findings suggest that while Australians are eager to participate in composting, there’s a clear need for better support and communication from councils. Only 1 in 5 of those surveyed feel that their council makes composting easy, indicating a gap in infrastructure and public education. Respondents suggested a desire for clearer guidance, such as comprehensive bin stickers (52%), printed brochures (42%), and even direct information sessions (18%) to help demystify the process. Off the back of the report, Compost Connect launched an education campaign, Compost for Climate, helping raise home composting rates while encouraging Australians to sign a petition urging their councils to champion commercial composting. Read about the research, explore the Compost for Climate campaign, and sign the petition here.

Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)

We actively participate in APCO-led workshops about the disposal of compostables in Australia. In 2023, Lea Maguero, our Head of Sustainability and Richard Fine were part of APCO’s Compostable Packaging Working Group.

Global Advocates

In July 2024, we ceased production of all products containing intentionally added PFAS. We produced a durable plant fibre solution that is free of added PFAS and certified as home compostable (AS5810 and NFT51-800) without sacrificing quality or functionality. We’re an advocate for PFAS bans in foodservice packaging globally.

UK Industry Bodies

In the UK, we’ve worked with industry bodies (FPA, BBIA) on consultations around the UK proposals for Simpler Recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility. We consult with government bodies, like DEFRA and the Department for Business and Trade (formerly known as BEIS).

We supported Systemiq's report on PFAS in food delivery packaging, commissioned by Uber. The researchers engaged with over 20 stakeholders in the value chain and expressed commendation for our efforts in eliminating added PFAS. We encourage you to read the report, "Breaking the Chain—Risks, Regulations, and Roadmap for Phasing Out PFAS from Food Delivery Packaging".

Singapore Government

In Singapore, we continue to collaborate with the local government and industry bodies to promote compostable packaging and single-use plastic bans.

Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department

Entering the Hong Kong market in 2023, we’ve been working with the Environmental Protection Department and key composters to find the best end-of-life solutions in a country with minimal composting infrastructure. We are pleased to confirm we found a local composter that can process our packaging. We’re looking to launch our partnership in 2025 and provide end-of-life solutions to our customers for both food and compostable packaging waste.

Achieve ISO 14001 Environmental Certification for 80% of our manufacturing facilities

We grew our supply chain considerably last year to mitigate supply chain challenges and address capacity considerations. As a result, we’re now working with several manufacturers that are not certified yet but are in the process of obtaining certification. We’ve created a new supplier scorecard which helps us map out all of our manufacturing partners’ environmental and social progress.

DELAYED

Convert to local manufacturing

We’re currently investigating local manufacturing options to produce our products locally in the countries we operate.


Raw Materials

Emissions Reduction

This report and the associated sustainability initiatives include statements concerning BioPak's future business expectations, goals, and commitments to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. It is important to note that these forward-looking statements carry inherent risks and uncertainties. The actual results may deviate from the envisaged outcomes due to various factors, including but not limited to the actions of our suppliers and business partners, the market appetite for certain materials and the availability of end-of-life options. In addition, BioPak relies, either wholly or partially, on publicly available information and data provided by our suppliers and business partners.  Further, our ability to verify such information (whether now, in the past, or in the future) may be limited by the integrity of the underlying data available at the relevant point in time and the status and evolution of global, supranational and national laws, guidelines and regulations in relation to the tracking and provision of such data.