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Judges noted the round bottle with patent applied flex-panels enables the use of recycled PET (PCR). The PCR-PET material can be up to 100%, depending on the decoration additive, enabling our corporate carbon footprint reduction targets. To enable recyclability the bottle is designed according to Wella’s recycling guide. Through the screw-off PP-plastic closure the bottle can be recycled separately. One judge said: “Getting labelling and material choices right for a global brand is a challenge, great work for approaching this challenge and working on solutions. The flex panels work well.”

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Judges said refill packaging is becoming increasingly important in the packaging landscape and GoUnpackaged have led this in many ways. “The solution they have presented is a systemic methodology which will lead others to consider how best to do refill solutions to their packaging.

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Judges understood that Berry Global’s Entour mono-material lamination films allow for easier recycling, effective branding, and consumer convenience. As there is no need to separate different materials, the recycling process for mono-material films becomes less technically challenging. One judge said: “This is a good step to take and is a logical move to mono solutions for flexible materials.”

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The judges were impressed by the simplicity of the solution and the effectiveness of the construction. It was easy to understand and use – “a great solution”.

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Berry Global‘s Omni Xtra+ film represents a breakthrough in sustainable food packaging, offering a singular solution for a wide variety of packaging applications, including meat, produce, cheese, deli, and bakery items. It is a viable alternative to hard-to-recycle PVC cling films and offers improved sustainability credentials. Judges loved this material as “a truly viable alternative to PVC”.

Judges' Feedback

 The move from PP to paper is good for the carton; while it has a PP liner, the layer is within the requirements for paper recycling and demonstrates a good environmental shift. The EPP tray is a good choice within this complicated pack format. Jusges said: “Removing packaging is always the first choice and good to see that the card sleeve was designed out, and that this does not affect the pack presentation and branding in any way.”

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Judges said no PFAS is excellent within this sector: “Bagasse is a good solution to the challenges around food, grease and water protection. The commitment to think ahead and be proactive in terms of environmental concerns, bans and legislation is commendable, good work.”

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The Pringles iconic pack format was in desperate need of a change to make it more recyclable and environmentally friendly; this packaging does that. Giving a 90% paper-based composite tube, which can be kerbside collected, was ‘excellent’. Judges said: “Decades of waste going into landfill will now be diverted into the recycling stream. The brand pack has remained iconic, and the packaging functionality is the same whilst giving environmental improvements.”

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The outer bag from plastic to a lightweight and strong paper is a great move for the highly challenging category of crisps and snacks. This demonstrates a 240mT plastic saving which judges said was ‘astounding’: “For such a large brand with such high volumes all environmental moves become incredibly substantial. Next could be to make the actual product pack paper based, as the perception could be from the paper outer bag that the inner bags are paper In transitions like this. Great work, the print finish is also excellent which will have been a challenge moving away from the easier print surface of plastic. Excellent research demonstrated.”

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Judges said the material choice of recycled aluminium is excellent. “This packaging concept in terms of colour, graphic design and being aluminium, has worked well for gin, and the gin consumer, we might not see this as the right choice for other spirits such as Whisky. The design has great shelf appeal in store and at home, This is a good move in this sector from glass to an alternative material, that works.”

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Judges said this was a great pack design within the whisky sector - innovative, impressive and smart lightweighting (34% less weight) which will have great transportation benefits with a positive environmental impact. “We note it includes 60% PCR Glass which is definitely the way forward in this category. This pack design potentially targets a new market - great work.”

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A well-established innovative wine packaging concept, this design has benefits such as lightweighting and ease of handling, better fulfilment throughout the supply chain, and for shipping direct to customers homes. Judges said: “The consumer perception of a wine bottle is still very much in the glass pack type. This move is interesting and a good environmental challenge and solution. Carbon neutral certification and the fact it is made from 100% recycled plastic is excellent.”

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The judges felt that this was a good use of paper based packaging that would be immediately recyclable at kerbside. The kerbside recyclable paper packaging offers optimum stiffness for enhanced shelf appearance and good moisture barrier for the product, and judges thought the designs were eye-catching. The transition from a polymer-based structure makes it easier for the end consumer to recycle the packaging at the end of its life, helping align with M&S’s Net Zero by 2040 goals.

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Judges said removing the PVC Clamshell is a well-established environmental and consumer requirement within the retail sector: “This move towards a cardboard solution that still offers good product visibility and a sturdy pack is excellent. Good cardboard engineering and design considerations to meet the needs of this product type.”

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This Flowers Hydration Pot pack impressed the judges who felt the material and design was integral to the reason and function for the pack. By eliminating plastic pots, judges took note that Bunches claim to save 5.4 tonnes of plastic every year – arguably setting a new standard for sustainable practices in the floral industry. This was complemented by the fact that the pack could be either recycled or industrially composted – “A great solution”.

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Judges said Delga Press appeared to have successfully worked with Wild to evolve the packs to refill made from a soft deodorant block which needs a level of protection in the retail and e-commerce environment; Delga Press reduced this to the bare minimum to ensure the product is still protected and vital brand and legal information is still displayed on the product. The entire product is free of single-use plastic. Judges said: “The packaging worked well with the core product and complimented the principles involved.”

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Judges liked the Double Geami Climaliner – made almost entirely from paper, the first fully kerbside recyclable, chilled and frozen pet food paper insulation solution – a dual layer of honeycomb die-cut paper, between 2 Kraft paper sheets. For clients, it has enabled removal of polystyrene sheets, reduced in-bound shipments by 80% for thermal packaging, and truck deliveries annually. The judges were impressed with the “systemic thought that went into this design. With the increase in fresh/frozen pet food it is important that solutions like this are developed to minimise packaging waste”.

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Judges applauded this ‘brave step’ to remove labelling, and the iconic shape which has taken years of development, allows this label-free pack to work. Consideration needs to be given to this and DRS in the future. However, the label being removed does increase the sustainability of this product. “The iconic shape allows this label-free pack design to work, and while the cap needs to stay the same green colour for branding, its good that it is made from RPET.”

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One judge said: “Some very good initiatives here and they must get rid of PVC. The company is setting sustainability goals and achieving them.” Another said: “As the brand is working on multiple materials and multiple formats in a competitive and challenging category made us feel that Wella should be recognised for this award. Their commitment to the SBTi targets and the implementation of recycled aluminium specifically, singled them out for praise in our estimation. And good use of data to support claims.”

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Judges said this was a strong entry considering the importance of sustainable products in this area, their relationship with the Soil association and the sensitivity around certified timber and reuse. One judge said there was excellent reading on the LCA to prove the case - helps prove it does work for the environment, while another said there was good clear approach to address an issue with clear and verified environmental claims.

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Judges said Ocado continues to make progress across all products and the DDRS has been a major success and trial blazer for other people to follow. One judge said: “We love the way Ocado is leaning into the unique optimisation ideas that can be explored by online only products, including but not exclusive to their supply chain packaging. Rethinking the format of how products can be presented, in order to lightweight packaging and their tireless work around digital DRS could also positively influence the traditional retailers in the process. They also have some very strong stats to illustrate their progress on recyclability and recycled content.”

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Judges said Aldi has really made an impact and is one of the leaders amongst retailers - “They are a big influencer”. One judge said: “What we find most impressive is Aldi's ability to introduce recyclable alternatives in a way that isn't cost prohibitive for a family shopping on a budget and not willing to demonise plastic packaging as others have done through their communications”. Another said: “Good range and scope of activities in particular like the inclusion of reuse. Excellent support for their sustainability claims.”

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Judges said this was ‘a clear winner’ - superbly drafted submission, way ahead of the others. Intelligent use of plastic with a huge benefit to the consumer and delivering superbly on health and safety. We must applaud the client for not submitting to the demonization of all plastic and delivering and communicating a great solution. Good to see a sustainable solution that is plastic - using the right material for the right situation, rather than anti-plastic for the sake of it. Good supporting data.

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Judges said Kellanova and their suppliers did a great job to turn this around - a great achievement. One judge said: “This entrant has appeared to solve a thorny issue in the recycling community with a relatively simple change to the pack itself”, while another said: “Very clear identification of a problem and development of a solution. A lot of work has gone into the development of a recyclable tube. Great that they understood their customers need and developed a kerbside solution that is open to all.”

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Judges said this a good solution to waste with reuse - reuse is the future and this will get rolled out: “This will certainly work for some small and medium businesses or when switching from complex laminates into this”. One judge said: “The number of bottles saved is impressive and good focus on waste prevention.”

Judges' Feedback

Judges said Staniforth is ‘one our industries’ current voices’, successfully championing sustainability inside and outside of his domain. “Robbie’s relaxed and simple explanations of complex topics have no doubt made him the go-to for many people within packaging world and beyond in getting to grips with the evolving legislative landscape. When it came down to who was the biggest influencer and educator, Robbie only missed out because he’s a relative newcomer to the scene whom we’re sure will be picking up more awards like this in the near future.” another judge added: “Robbie is very well known in the sector and is a valued critical friend for government.”

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Judges said this was an excellent submission, and that Nicola Jones has worked tirelessly on the impact of changing legislation within her industry and externally. “We were particularly impressed with her school’s education initiative. Nicola is a champion for sustainable packaging and is synonymous with steel cans. She is very well-known and very well-recognised.

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 Kevin Vyse is a well-known figure in the industry with lots of knowledge. In a closely fought category, this candidate stands out not just for his longevity within the industry, not just because of the breadth of expertise within which he’s mastered, but for always willing to be challenged and challenge publicly, how acceptable norms of sustainable packaging should evolve. Kevin has consistently and successfully moved with the times – talking about circularity years before anyone else was for example - as the national and global paradox of packaging waste revealed itself over recent decades.