Leah Maguero is BioPak's Environment and Sustainability Manager.
Why is BioPak taking climate action?
BioPak was created in 2006 with the mission to reduce the environmental impact of single-use disposable packaging by producing sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions made from renewable resources.
BioPak produces sustainable alternatives to conventional single-use packaging for the foodservice industry, offering carbon neutral compostable packaging solutions made from rapidly renewable, plant-based raw materials.
BioPak is a certified B Corp and designs products for a circular economy – where there is no waste. In 2017, BioPak launched its own Compost Service in Australia and New Zealand – a recycling revolution designed to close the loop on organic waste and curb single-use packaging pollution.
As a pioneer and market leader in the bioplastics packaging industry, we have demonstrated that it is possible to successfully grow a sustainable and carbon-neutral business.
How is BioPak taking climate action?
BioPak has been carbon neutral since 2011. It means that we offset the greenhouse gas emitted by our products life cycle and our operations by investing in projects that reduce or sequestrate Co2 emissions. We are also currently working with our supply chain to reduce our footprint by using renewable energy in the manufacturing process.
BioPak donates 1% of its profits to Rainforest Rescue, a not-for-profit organisation that has been protecting and restoring rainforests in Australia and internationally through planting, maintenance and restoration programs.
Our Compost Service, launched in 2017, has allowed hundreds or customers to access organic waste collections, diverting thousands of tonnes of waste from landfill and avoiding methane emissions. The waste is being turned into nutrient-rich compost, a versatile new resource that helps improve soil quality and resistance to droughts.
Our commitment is to reduce further our carbon footprint and scale up our compost service, allowing us to eventually become "carbon negative".
We are planning on turning our Compost Service into an open, not-for-profit organisation, the “Compost Network”.
The Compost Network will allow businesses to identify suppliers of certified compostable packaging and access a sustainable end-of-life option. It is an organic recycling initiative and online platform that provides businesses with access to products, services and information that allows them to participate in a circular and regenerative system by diverting waste from landfill and converting it into nutrient-rich compost. There is a significant opportunity to capture and recycle a larger portion of the nearly 900,000 tonnes of organic waste generated by the foodservice and hospitality sector whilst simultaneously recovering and recycling an estimated 10 billion individual single-use foodservice disposables.
What real-world opportunities has BioPak uncovered by taking climate action?
We are convinced that an increasing number of consumers are looking for products and services offered by responsible companies that are genuinely trying to use business as a force for good. Transparency and legitimate certifications are key to help consumers access trusted information and avoid greenwashing.
What action would you like to see Australia take on climate?
We would like the Federal Government to support a post-COVID recovery focused on accelerating the use of renewable energies. This would need stimulus investments in new technologies, which would boost local manufacturing and create new jobs. Australia is well placed to become a world leader in renewable energy generation and storage.
We would also like the Federal Government to support the growth and modernisation of the Compost Industry. Funding organic recycling projects, encouraging food waste collections by councils and increasing landfill levies are necessary steps needed to meet the national target of halving organics to landfill by 2030.