The WPO (World Packaging Organization) has announced the candidates for three special awards within the WorldStar Awards 2013: the President’s Award, the Marketing Award, and the Sustainability Award.
Among the packages named on the Sustainability Award Shortlist are the Infini bottle from Nampak Plastics Europe; the Loop Pallet from IPG Intelligent Packaging Group – Sweden; and Mount Franklin Easy Crush from Coca-Cola Amatil – Australia.
According to WPO, Nampak's new Infini monolayer high-density polyethylene milk bottle is up to 25% lighter (depending on size) than industry-standard bottles while still meeting all current performance specifications. In addition, it offers consumers a modern, improved design, and enhanced functionality. The bottle is 100% recyclable with post-consumer recycled content of up to 15%. Its new design uses approximately 16,000 tonnes (17,600 tons) less material and offers carbon savings of around 34,000 tonnes (37,500 tons) per year. The Infini was launched in 2012, and by the end of the year, 100 million bottles were manufactured and sold.
Of IPG’s Loop Pallet, WPO notes that it is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly pallet that enables a 40% reduction in return transport costs, a 40% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, 40% more-effective stackability, 40% more efficient storage, a 40% reduction in weight, and 100% recyclability and reusability. Furthermore it’s transport-friendly, suitable for racking (1000kg), and ergonomic. The unique design of the loop pallet, with an adapted space between stacked pallets, ensures that the needed number can be easily retrieved from the pile.
WPO relates that the Mount Franklin Easy Crush bottle is the lightest water bottle in the Australian market, and at the time of its launch, it had the lightest body of any 600-mL water bottle in the world. It is more than 40% lighter than its predecessor and is said to successfully promote responsible behavior by consumers. The simple twist and crush process reduces the size and amount of space needed to transport it to recycling centers. The increased crushability, use of post-consumer resin, material use reduction, and increase in vertical load and stacking stability has this package ticking the sustainability boxes along its entire life cycle, says WPO.
One bronze, one silver, and one gold award for each award will be announced on May 9, 2013 in Sydney, Australia.
