Media release 28 August 2019
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Another organisation in the food and beverage sector has taken the official path to carbon neutrality. BioPak is now Climate Active certified (formerly called NCOS), the Australian Government’s recognised standard. This is the 100th successful participant in the program. Whilst BioPak has demonstrated leadership in sustainability for years and have measured and offset their carbon emissions since 2010, they felt it was time to align with the robust government standard.
What does that mean for a company producing single-use disposable items – coffee cups, takeaway containers, straws and plates? All of these, if they are BioPak, can be safely composted. This organisation shows how the circular economy can work. BioPak replaces fossil fuel-based plastics with sustainably-sourced, rapidly-renewable, plant-based materials. Consumers can recycle these materials organically into compost, and help return them safely back to the soil.
“Innovation is at the heart of what we do. For more than a decade we have been working with companies across Australia and New Zealand to provide a viable solution to our current waste crisis”, says BioPak CEO Gary Smith.
Many organisations take a stepped approach to certification, starting with operations, a product or a service. BioPak worked with Climate Active (NCOS) specialists, Pangolin Associates, certifying both its operations and the entire range of BioPak products. Pangolin auditors provided a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on 15 groups of products, categorised by type and construction.
Typical for a carbon inventory, Pangolin calculated the company’s electricity and water use, freight, transport (including flights), office supplies, IT, and more. This was a cradle to gate approach that incorporated manufacturing activities, distribution and freight by sea and road. BioPak’s supply chain impacts, scope 3 emissions factors, required calculations and methodologies for both Australian and Chinese economies, the latter providing imported products.
Back in Australia, BioPak has workplace processes to further reduce their impact at the operations level. Company travel policies lower transport emissions, for example, and BioPak purchases carbon neutral certified office supplies, such as paper. It should not come as a surprise that the Sydney Office composts organic waste. BioPak is also developing a national compost service for its customers.
The final requirement for certification is offsetting emissions that cannot be eliminated through an Emissions Reduction Strategy (ERS). BioPak chose a Guangxi Zhuang biomass power generation project to align with manufacturing activities in China. Closer to home, they also invested in biodiverse forestry in Australia and New Zealand. These projects regenerate forests as well as habitats for iconic animals such as cassowaries, koalas, brush-tailed phascogales and glossy black cockatoos.
“Being a purpose-driven business has redefined how we measure success – it’s not just about the bottom line, it’s about the positive change we’re leading for our planet and communities. Doing well by doing good,” says Mr Smith.
Find out more about BioPak
- See BioPak on the Climate Active website.
- Read Business News Australia: BioPak and Qantas launch first ever zero-waste flight.
- Read the BioPak case study.
About BioPak
BioPak produces more sustainable alternatives to disposable single-use packaging for the foodservice industry, offering packaging solutions made from rapidly renewable, plant-based raw materials.
BioPak designs products for a circular economy – where there is no waste. Products are certified either home or commercially compostable. BioPak has launched its own national composting service – a recycling revolution designed to close the loop, divert waste from landfill, and stop plastic pollution.
For more visit: www.biopak.com.au.
About Pangolin Associates
Pangolin Associates Pty Ltd has offices in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. The consultancy works with businesses and governments across Australia helping to increase efficiencies and competitiveness whilst reducing carbon, energy and other environmental impacts.
Pangolin’s services include comprehensive greenhouse gas assessments (carbon footprints), energy efficiency audits, verification and assurance services, and carbon offsetting. Pangolin’s scientific team has comprehensive experience and the highest level of environmental accreditations. Auditors are registered with the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Regulator. Pangolin Associates is a founding Certified B Corporation as well certified carbon neutral themselves.
For more, visit: www.pangolinassociates.com.
Media contact: 02 8005 6300 or media@stagingpang.wpengine.com.