The Packaging Council of New Zealand is once again looking for entries for its 2007 Environmental Packaging Awards with winners to be announced at a dinner in Auckland in August.
First introduced in 1999 the intent of the biennial awards programme is to recognise and reward those who are making a significant contribution to improve the environmental performance of packaging, packaging systems and environmental education and the operation of manufacturing, collection and recycling/recovery facilities.
There are 11 categories including the Supreme Award which was won in 2005 by Viscount Plastics (NZ) Ltd for its ice cream, poultry and vegetable crates.
Packaging is judged on a variety of criteria including achieving material or energy reductions, optimising the opportunity for materials recovery and developing /fostering sustainable markets. Judges also look at whether packaging utilises the most effectively recycled/recovered materials, whether it represents packaging systems which minimise the adverse effects on the environment, and what education programmes companies use to motivate, explain and solicit positive response from the public for materials recovery.
They also look for key messages on product or through promotion or media coverage which encourage the consumer to think about issues of disposal prior to purchase.
There is a conceptual design award category for tertiary students. All entries must be submitted to the Packaging Council by May 31.
Judges for these awards are Rachel Depree, general manager, Sustainable Industry Group, Ministry for the Environment New Zealand; Dr Lawrence Eyres, business development director, Food Nutrition and Health - Auckland University; Gavin Williams, CEO, Packaging Council of Australia; Bill Bayfield CEO Environment Bay of Plenty; Dr David Warburton, Wanganui District Council; Alistair Sayers, packaging manager Frucor Beverages Ltd.
