New Awards for Best and Worst NZ Packaging

Wanaka Wastebusters are proud to launch the Unpackit Packaging Awards for the best and worst packaging sold in New Zealand stores.

“We’re really excited to open nominations for the awards today,” said project manager Sophie Ward. The Unpackit website www.unpackit.org was launched yesterday.

One of the first nominations for the best packaging award has been put in by Dunedin City Councillor Jinty MacTavish.

She described her packaging as “a protein matrix lined with calcium carbonate cystals, produced organically, remarkably strong, breathable but waterproof, and infinitely recyclable.” Product – an egg. Manufacturer – a chicken.

“I’m not quite sure who will accept the award if the egg wins,” said Ms Ward. “But eggs and chickens can be easily bought in New Zealand so we decided to accept her nomination.”

Adventurer Mal Haskins who plans to speed-fly from an 8,000m peak in Nepal later this year has nominated dive company Clearwater for the non-recyclable plastic packaging on his new snorkel.

Ms Ward said the awards will be given to the companies who make the products contained in the packaging, but they have been designed to be much more open than traditional industry awards.

“We want everyone who cares about good packaging in New Zealand to be part of the awards – either by putting a nomination in now or by voting for their favorites later on. The voting process will be crucial because it will determine who wins the best and worst awards.”

Ms Ward said a prize of a winter weekend in Wanaka was being offered for the best entry to encourage people to get really creative.

“People can use their cameras and videos to show us why they love or hate the packaging they choose, or they can just send in a simple entry with a few words. They can put in as many nominations as they choose via the website www.unpackit.org.

“This is a chance for people to praise the companies who have really thought about their packaging and made an effort to reduce their impact on the environment,” said Ms Ward. “It’s also a chance to point the finger at packaging which really annoys you.”

Good packaging campaigner Angus Ho said the survey conducted in October showed that the majority of people are concerned by badly designed packaging, including over-packaging and packaging that is non-recyclable or badly labelled.

“Lots of shoppers told us they hated seeing fruit and vegetables pre-wrapped in plastic in the supermarket. It’s completely unnecessary and a waste of resources. People want to buy vegetables to eat, not plastic.”

The website also contains tips about choosing good packaging – look for packaging which is minimal, reusable, recyclable, well-designed and clearly and accurately labelled.

Competition Dates:
• Nominations for the Unpackit Packaging Awards will close on March 20th.
• Shortlists of 10 nominations for the awards announced March 25th.
• Public voting for awards runs from March 25th until April 29th.
• Winners of awards will be announced May 6th.

ENDS

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