(Justmeans.com / CSR News) - Packaging Magazine's fourth annual Evolution Awards celebrated packaging waste management achievements with 130 industry stakeholders, presenting 13 winners at a gala event at L'Aqua in Darling harbour, Sydney.

Proudly sponsored by the Sidel Group, Colorpak Ltd, Sealed Air Cryovac and AUSPACK, the Evolution Awards is the only awards program in Australia that specifically works with the National Packaging Covenant to highlight and reward the achievements of signatories for significant projects in packaging re-design, packaging waste management environmental stewadrship and community outreach and of course, recycling.

One of a panel of three industry experts, Evolution Awards judge Emeritus Professor Harry Lovell OAM FAIP told the industry that while some of the entries could have been shorter and more succinct, overall the panel was excited and inspired by the high calibre of the sustainability projects being undertaken in Australia.

Lovell also took the opportunity to remind the industry that packaging is a colourful and vibrant part of the lives of every person in society today; and that the industry shoud be proud of its role in the creation of innovative packaging.

Evolution Awards judges also include Pierre Pienaar FAIP, Vice National President for the AIP who has his own packaging consulting business, PackTech Solutions and Llewellyn Stephens, FAIP, Packaging Projects Manager for National Foods Limited.  

"While the successful reduction of packaging waste provides that warm feeling that we’ve done something positive for our environment and future generations, there’s no doubt the pathway to sustainability is good for business," says Anna Game-Lopata, Packaging Magazine's editor.

"Apart from the savings provided by better, streamlined processes, it’s worth considering the market," she says.

"Sustainability and wellness research company the Mobium Group estimates the environmentally friendly, or ‘green’, market is worth $15 billion to the Australian economy and it is expected to reach at least $22 billion by 2010."

"You can’t go past the community and business benefits of sustainable packaging- that’s why we at Packaging Magazine are exceedingly proud of the Evolution Awards, which recognises the efforts of packaging companies and brand owners who have answered the challenge (and it is a significant challenge) of self regulation."

"The Evolution Awards rewards Packaging industry stakeholders who have taken it upon themselves to evaluate the packaging waste generated by their business and to work towards reducing this waste to landfill," Game-Lopata says.

"I think the Evolution Awards has achieved these aims admirably. Each of the last 4 years, as the National Packaging Covenant has strengthened its standing and accomplishments in the community, our awards program has successfully promoted and celebrated the most outstanding of its signatories."

While the Evolution Awards will accept entries from non-signatories, to date, all entries, finalists and winners have been signatories to the National Packaging Covenant.

"I'd like to thank the NPC for its support of the Evolution Awards over the four years since inception," Game-Lopata says.

"I'd also like to thank our sponsors and judges once again for their valued contribution without which this event would not be possible."

Evolution Awards Winners are:

Food Packaging Action Award: Campbell Arnott's

Beverage Packagign Action Award: Coca-Cola Amatil

Pharmaceutical Packaging Action Award: Johnson & Johnson Pacific

Household Packaging Action Award: Garden City Plastics & Fred Hosking

Personal Care and Cosmetics Packaging Action Award: Kimberly-Clark Australia

Retail Packaging Action Award: ALDI Stores & Coca-Cola Amatil

Community Packaging Action Award: Amcor

Most Innovative Solution in Packaging Waste Management: O-I Australia

Most Outstanding Demonstration of Packaging Waste Management in Australia: Colmax Glass

Most Outstanding Demonstration of Packaging Waste Management in New Zealand: Transpacific Industries

Best in Show: O-I Australia

"This year's finalists were the cream of the industry," Game-Lopata says. "And while some must will win, everyone recognised in an event of this nature should be exceedingly proud of their contribution to making business on this planet more environmentally sustainable.

"On behalf of our sponsors and Reed Business Information, I'd like to congratulate all the winners of the 2009 Evolution Awards."

More information about the Evolution Awards

The Evolution Awards is an initiative of Reed Business Information, publisher of Packaging Magazine. In 2009 it was proudly sponsored by the Sidel Group, Sealed Air Cryovac, Colorpak Limited and AUSPACK.