Globally recognised B Corp and sustainable packaging brand BioPak has today announced its commitment to reaching Net-Zero GHG Emissions across the company’s value chain by 2050.

Announced as part of BioPak’s annual Sustainability Report for 2024, the new target is aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reduction targets in line with the latest climate science.

BioPak CEO Gary Smith commented on the significance of these new targets and the role they play in helping the company continue to strive for meaningful change in the packaging industry.

“This is a truly historic moment for BioPak and one that we are proud to share with our customers, stakeholders and the wider community,” said Smith.

“SBTi focuses on accelerating companies across the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050. These targets underpin our unwavering commitment to sustainability and ensure we stay on track.”

BioPak’s Sustainability Report for 2024 also outlines the company’s updated Emissions Reduction Plan, with the new SBTi targets providing a clear roadmap that addresses all areas of the company’s emissions, with a strong focus on reducing product emissions, which make up 89% of BioPak’s total emissions.

“For over a decade, we were proudly carbon-neutral certified,” Smith continued. “However, in 2022, we made a strategic shift away from traditional carbon offsetting. Instead of allocating 1% of our profits to offsets, we now invest those funds into our Emission Reduction Plan, focusing on research, education, and advocacy to promote carbon reduction and composting across our markets. This creates a more effective and progressive sustainability strategy that delivers clear results and guides our business decisions.”

The Sustainability Report also highlights BioPak’s leadership on PFAS, with the company being the first to release a full range of plant fibre products with no intentionally added PFAS, and removing PFAS additives from production in July 2024. It was noted, however, that fundamental work is still required from a legislative level to ban ‘forever chemicals’ from a wide range of products, including packaging.

The report also gave a nod to BioPak’s product innovation, with the past year marking significant advancements in the company’s home compostable solutions – launching Australia’s first PHA-lined cups and introducing new aqueous solutions with compostable sushi trays and sauce cups. As global single-use plastic bans increase, BioPak continues to be at the forefront with market-leading, sustainable solutions, ensuring customers can confidently navigate these changes.

The topic of education and awareness was also a high priority in 2024, with BioPak conducting its first-ever consumer research report to better understand Australians’ attitudes and behaviours toward compostable packaging and composting. The research revealed strong intent to dispose of packaging responsibly, but challenges like recognising compostable logos and limited council support persist. An educational campaign, Compost for Climate, aiming to lift composting rates across the board was launched off the back of the research.

The report also signified the establishment of the BioPak Group, with two globally recognised B Corps, Huskee and decent packaging, joining the extended community.

“Our mission is to develop best-in-class solutions that incorporate a range of products and strategies that will help us transition to a waste-free world. We have some truly ambitious projects over the next 12 months, particularly around our own emissions reduction plan, product innovation and continuing to bolster education to spark conversation and drive meaningful change that champions circular solutions,” said Smith.

BioPak aims to continue to disrupt the take, make, waste model in 2025.

“Our plans for the coming year are truly ambitious, and this work would not be possible without the dedication of our team of over 200 people and the unwavering support of our loyal customers. Thank you for your continued commitment as we work towards a world without waste,” Smith said.

To read BioPak’s Sustainability Report for 2024, please click here.

INDEPENDENT NEWS IS IMPORTANT.

Enjoy reading Eco Voice? Please help us by purchasing a GIFT Voucher or send one to a friend and encourage people to purchase trees or seeds via The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au