Applications are now open until 24 August 2023 for the APCO Annual Awards.
We are thrilled to announce that the APCO Annual Awards application portal is officially open! This year, we are embarking on an exciting new journey, with significant strategic changes designed to elevate the APCO Awards to new heights. We invite you to be a part of this transformation by submitting your entry and showcasing your organisation’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in the packaging industry.
If you, a colleague or your company have implemented an initiative within the 2022-2023 period apply for the APCO Our Packaging Future Awards today.
SPGs Implementation Award
- The SPGs Implementation Award celebrates organisations that have demonstrated how their organisation has successfully integrated the Sustainable Packaging Principles of the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPGs) into their packaging and business practices. This award recognises effective processes that have resulted in significant utilisation of the SPGS and implementation of sustainable packaging changes. Apply now.
Reuse Award
- This award celebrates outstanding examples of reusable packaging systems in Australia. The Reuse category focuses on packaging that demonstrates its capability of accomplishing a minimum number of trips or reuse cycles within its lifecycle, using a purposefully designed system of reuse for the same application. Apply now.
Industry Education Award
- The Industry Education award celebrates outstanding educational campaigns that target packaging sustainability within their supply chain. These campaigns must have been conducted during 2022/23 and can employ digital delivery methods or face to face interactions. Campaigns can be implemented internally within the organisation, or externally involving business, stakeholder and suppliers. Please note that if your campaign primarily targets individual consumer-facing education, you are encouraged to apply for the Consumer Education award. Apply now.
2022 Winner: Bunzl Limited
Bunzl is a wholesale distributor of consumable goods. To support the 2025 National Packaging Targets, the SPGs, and customers’ sustainability ambitions, the company has engaged in an extensive sustainable packaging industry awareness raising program. This has gone beyond satisfying single-use plastic bans to proactively supporting customers to improve their knowledge and use of sustainable packaging to reduce waste. This includes publishing articles (Flair and Forte publications), fact sheets, web pages, internal training for sales teams, embedded Sustainability Ambassadors, specialised customer tools and on location reviews and expert advice.
Consumer Education Award
- The Consumer Education award seeks exceptional education campaigns on packaging sustainability, specifically targeting individual consumers. These campaigns may include marketing campaigns for the Australasian Recycling Label, conducting workshops or webinars on packaging sustainability, or other campaigns targeting individual consumers. These campaigns must have been conducted during the 2022/23 period. Please note that if your campaign primarily targets business education, you are encouraged to apply for the Industry Education award. Apply now.
2022 Winner: Consumer Education – Visy Industries Australia Pty Ltd
Visy partners with Cool Australia to provide curriculum resources for teachers across early learning, primary and secondary schools. Over 32 free teaching and downloadable learning resources have been developed on topics including resource recovery, recycling right at home and school, recycling contamination and how individual efforts can contribute to the local circular economy of recyclables. To date, more than 16,000 Cool Australia lessons have been downloaded and taught to over 345,000 students.
Improved Recycling Systems
- The Improved Recycling Systems Award celebrates groundbreaking innovations in recycling and reprocessing systems and/or processes. This category seeks out achievements in mechanical, advanced and/or organic (composting) recycling methods. Apply now.
2022 Winner: Improved Recycling Systems – Closed Loop Environmental Solutions
Closed Loop Environmental Solutions developed Simply Cups, a program that provides an end-to-end solution involving consumer education and collection infrastructure. This infrastructure provides a clean stream of paper cups and processing systems that transform the cups into a usable raw material for use by the company’s innovative technology/ manufacturing partners, who transform them into items of higher value and utility.
Recycled Content
- The Recycled Content Award celebrates exceptional leadership in the increased utilisation of recycled content in packaging within Australia, New Zealand, and/or the Pacific Islands. This category highlights organisations that have demonstrated innovative and unique approaches to incorporating recycled materials into their packaging. Apply now.
Sustainability Champion (no fee)
- We are searching for the individuals who are taking proactive steps to improve circularity in packaging practices. This can include improved recycling systems, educating others, research and development work, etc. Nominate a colleague.
2022 Winner: Sarah Baylis (Fonterra Brands)
Sarah has worked in the Australasian packaging industry all of her career at both brand owners and packaging manufacturers and recyclers. In her current role as Packaging Innovation Manager at Fonterra Research and Development Centre, she leads the technical component of the Fonterra sustainable packaging target of 100% reusable, recyclable and compostable packaging by 2025. She has an honours degree in packaging technology and uses her technical knowledge to practically realise sustainable packaging and sees industry collaboration as a key factor to its success. She has been leading the New Zealand ARL implementation programme for the NZFGC with APCO, ensuring that ARL recycling outcomes are fit for purpose and align with NZ waste recovery infrastructure. This involves collaborating across the waste value chain and providing representation of NZ on the AAC.
Best of the Best Reporting Excellence Award (Invite only for APCO Members, no fee)
- This award honours the highest performing APCO Members for a Full Report and an SME Report out of the APCO Industry Sector Awards finalists. The APCO team will contact those eligible.
2022 Winner: The Arnott’s Group
The Arnott’s Group has demonstrated ongoing and outstanding leadership in the industry, alongside a clear commitment to sustainable packaging operations, consistent innovation and circular packaging design. To win this award, a company must be a standout performer, internally and externally.
What’s New This Year?
To ensure the APCO Annual Awards represent the highest level of achievement within the industry, APCO has introduced an awards application fee for the Our Packaging Future Awards, designed to maintain the integrity and competitiveness of the Awards. Note that the sector-based reports will still exist at zero cost to Members.
By transitioning to a paid application system, APCO aims to enhance the quality and competitiveness of submissions. This nominal fee allows APCO to introduce an independent judging panel to ensure fairness and impartiality in the judging process. APCO has partnered with Banksia Foundation who will bring in an independent judging panel comprising of professionals from across the packaging industry value chain. These experts will evaluate the entries based on predetermined criteria and select the most outstanding initiatives in each award category. With their diverse expertise and impartial perspective, the judging panel will uphold the integrity and credibility of the APCO Annual Awards
For the first time ever, the APCO Annual Awards are open to APCO Members and the entire packaging industry. We believe that collaboration and knowledge sharing are crucial in driving positive change. By welcoming non-members, we aim to foster a culture of inclusivity and amplify the collective impact of sustainability efforts. This inclusive approach encourages organisations from all corners of the industry to participate and contribute to a sustainable packaging future.
Benefits for Entrants
Industry Recognition
APCO’s Annual Awards serve as a platform to showcase your organisation’s sustainability initiatives. Being recognised as an APCO Award winner or finalist enhances your credibility, boosts your brand reputation, and showcases your dedication to sustainability. The industry-wide recognition you receive will help position your organisation as a leader committed to innovation and sustainability within the packaging industry.
Networking Opportunities
Participating in the APCO Annual Awards ceremony provides invaluable networking opportunities at our preshow networking event, allowing you to connect with industry leaders, potential partners, government and key stakeholders. By building relationships, exchanging ideas, and discovering new opportunities for collaboration and growth, you can expand your network and establish valuable connections that can further advance your sustainability initiatives.
Competitive Advantage
Being acknowledged as an industry leader through the APCO Annual Awards gives you a distinct competitive edge. It demonstrates your commitment to sustainability and positions your organisation as an innovator within the packaging industry. By highlighting your accomplishments and dedication to sustainable practices, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and attract customers, investors, and partners who value sustainability and responsible packaging.
Apply Now and Shape the Future!
Winners will be announced at our awards ceremony on Thursday, 2nd November. This year’s awards ceremony will also be preceded by a half-day conference exploring the theme ‘The Future of Packaging’. Set to take place at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, this year, for the first time, APCO has partnered with renown sustainability group – theBanksia Foundation.
Visit our application portal hosted on the Banksia Foundation platform to submit your entry and secure your opportunity for industry recognition, networking, and gaining a competitive edge. Together, let’s celebrate excellence, inspire innovation, and create a brighter future for the packaging industry.