PROGRESS REPORT
Responsible Supply Chain
We’re committed to a stringent supplier selection process. Our production partners hold internationally recognised food safety standards certifications, and the majority of our products are produced in ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Standard) certified facilities, with the remaining facilities in the process of becoming certified. Many of these partnerships span over a decade, allowing for continuous quality enhancement and innovation. We conduct regular on-site audits, ensuring the strictest standards are upheld while strengthening our business relationships.
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 can help consumers and business owners shop (and sell) responsibly. BioPak UK has achieved BRC certification, a Global Standard proving your competence level in HACCP, hygiene, food safety and quality systems. Supporting local production and the economy has always been important to us. We are currently investigating local manufacturing options to produce our packaging locally in the countries we operate.
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™ and PEFC™ certified paper. Look for the FSC™ Chain of Custody number to check if a supplier really is certified, BioPak’s number is C110879.
Social Responsibility Certification
Our facilities are certified to 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
As we outsource manufacturing in Asia, there are Modern Slavery risks associated with our supply chain. We have designed and implemented processes, which are formalised in our Modern Slavery Policy.
Human Rights
It is 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.
Growing Team, Growing Innovation
Growing our Sustainability and Quality Assurance teams is an area of significant improvement for us this year. We welcome Trevor Rumble to help drive product innovation and efficiency, and Yian Man an experienced quality assurance advisor.
Meet Trevor
Trevor is the champion of innovation and packaging development leading the way with new materials and new product categories. He helps build capabilities to enable speed to market and ensures quality underpins everything we do through a formalised R&D process accelerated by technology delivering best-in-class execution.
“Brands are now really focused on innovation that is not only functional but adds value to both their operational and sustainable strategic pillars. I am very excited to lead the sustainable packaging market with BioPak customers.”
Meet Yian
In her role, Yian supports product development through benchmarking and product performance improvements via real-world experiments. She also supports complaint investigations and the implementation of reliable corrective and preventative actions.
“Circular economy practices are becoming increasingly significant in responsible supply chains, emphasising the reuse, recycling, and reduction of resources to minimise environmental impact at every step of products’ life cycle.”
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 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’ve conducted research in SA looking at the benefits compostable packaging adds to the composting process. The results are promising and will be released soon.
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
BioPak will be the first packaging company in Australia to completely remove intentionally added PFAS from our full plant fibre range in 2024. We’re an advocate for PFAS bans in foodservice packaging across Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
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).
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.
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.
BioPak UK has achieved BRC certification in 2021, a Global Standard proving a competence level in HACCP, hygiene, food safety and quality systems. They also hold the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications.
Expand the Sustainability and Quality Assurance teams
ON TRACK
Maintain our ethical monitoring program
Convert to local manufacturing
Increase industry advocacy
Our industry advocacy aims to define best practices and advise policymakers on compostable packaging and end-of-life.
Global
BioPak is a member the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF), an initiative launched in 2010 to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. In 2018, BioPak signed the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, an initiative led by EMF in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme.
Australia
We are members of several industry bodies in Australia, such as the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA), Australian Packaging Covenant (APCO), Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) and the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP). In 2022, our founder, Richard Fine, was part of two APCO working groups: the National Packaging Targets Implementation Working Group and the PFAS Action Plan Working Group. In 2023, Lea Maguero, our Head of Sustainability and Richard Fine were in APCO’s Compostable Packaging Working Group.New Zealand
In New Zealand, Richard Fine is a member of WasteMinz and part of The Packaging Forum’s PFAS Technical Advisory Group and their Compostable Packaging Advisory Group.
Singapore
In Singapore, we are working closely with the National Environment Agency (NEA) to help educate the public about the issues with plastic use and the more sustainable alternatives.
The United Kingdom
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).
DELAYED
Achieve ISO 14001 Environmental Certification for 80% of our manufacturing facilities
Raw Materials
