Packaging Europe recently opened entries to the first annual edition of its Packaging Sustainability Awards. The winners and shortlisted submissions across multiple categories will be announced in the July edition of Packaging Europe magazine.
The philosophy behind the Packaging Sustainability Awards is to celebrate innovations throughout the packaging supply chain, introduced in the last year, which make the greatest contributions to boosting sustainability. Packaging converters, machinery manufacturers, raw material suppliers, research institutions, consultancies, retailers and brand owners are all eligible to submit their innovations and solutions for consideration. Entries are not restricted to Europe, since we intend the Awards to inspire cross-pollination of the very best new ideas and best practices from around the globe.
Packaging Europe will be acknowledging the best innovations in the following categories:
- Weight Reduction. The best solutions in lightweighting, thinner walls, migration from rigid to flexibles, etc.
- Cutting Food Waste. Recognising advances in barriers, extending shelf-life, MAP, portion packaging, etc.
- Recycled Feedstocks. Groundbreaking use of recycled materials in packaging.
- Bio-Based Packaging. Acknowledging the biggest achievements in bio-based packaging, from paper to bioplastics.
- End of Life Solution. For advances in recycling technologies, biodegradability or recyclability of packaging materials.
- Machinery. Innovations in packaging machinery which reduce energy consumption, cutting waste or increase production line efficiencies.
- Supply Chain. The best contribution to sustainability in warehousing / logistics, including packaging that saves space in transit.
- Brand. Recognising the brand owner that has achieved the most for green packaging.
- Retail. Which retailer has minimised its environmental impact the most through its packaging and supply chain policies?
In addition, Packaging Europe will be nominating overall winners in the following categories:
- Best new sustainable packaging solution
- Best sustainable innovation in packaging materials
- Best affordable sustainability innovation
