Smartpackaging workshop for Auckland businesses

14th May 2012

Smartpackaging workshop for Auckland businesses

Wanaka Wastebusters will be running a Smart Packaging Business Workshop in Auckland on Thursday 17th May, in partnership with the Sustainable Business Network.

The workshop will help businesses add value to their brand by choosing smart packaging which has less impact on the environment.

Real packaging challenges faced by businesses will be addressed during the workshop, and attendees will have a chance to come up with their own solutions during a break-out session.

The guest speaker at the workshop will be Janet Clendon, Global Packaging Manager for Zespri. She will talk about Zespri’s sustainable packaging strategy and how they are working across their supply chain to adopt packaging solutions that align with their strategy.

Workshop leader Sophie Ward said the workshop will include practical tips and the research on
• Packaging materials and end-of-life solutions
• Which materials are most likely to be recycled
• Myth-busting and green claims
• What consumers want from packaging.

“In New Zealand, we create 172kg of packaging waste per person every year, and throw 72kg of packaging per person into the rubbish,” she said. "It's time we worked together to reduce the amount of packaging which goes into the landfill."

“We encourage businesses to choose minimal packaging which can be recycled or composted, but we know it’s not going to happen overnight. The workshop will give businesses balanced information which will save them time and money, and help strengthen their brands.”

The Smart Packaging workshops are being run in four cities as part of the Unpackit Packaging Awards project. The Awards were set up in 2010 to find the Best and Worst packaging sold in New Zealand. Voting for the Awards is open until 1st June at www.unpackit.org

“Many of the nominations for Unpackit’s Worst Packaging Award this year were for “green” businesses whose packaging did not live up to their product,” said Ms Ward. “Consumers are getting more and more savvy when it comes to environmental claims. They expect to see consistency through the whole production process, including packaging.”

Ms Ward said the recent Campbell Live programmes on the Honest Water Eco-Bottle and the Fair Go programme on degradable bags had shown that companies need to understand the full life cycle of the packaging materials they choose to use.

“It’s a real challenge for businesses, because it can get quite technical. We’re aiming to give businesses a good grounding in the issues, to help them make smart packaging choices.”

Businesses can register for the Smartpackaging workshop at www.smartpackaging.org.nz and can send their packaging challenges to sophie@wanakawastebusters.co.nz .

Workshop cost: $45 SBN members, $90 non-members

Auckland Workshop Details
8:00-10:00am
Rangitoto 3
Viaduct Events Centre
Viaduct Harbour

ENDS

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