Aussie company’s global packaging award

Local company A&C Packers has won a DuPont award for better performing packaging that promotes sustainability – in its “Easy Pour Barrier Containers” – according to the global science and chemicals company. Dupont said it was the first time an Australian company has been recognised under the awards’ sustainability criteria.

The Queensland-based blow moulding company was one of ten companies worldwide to receive the award, which recognises innovation in packaging design, materials and processes that can protect rather than deplete natural resources.

The “Easy Pour Barrier Containers” are A&C Packers’ redesigned 20L drums (http://www.aandcpackers.com.au/index.php?mp_id=26) that are more efficient for transport and storage, that are also reusable and recyclable. The drums’ new barrier structure replaces steel drums in most common solvent applications and is reusable with a 5-year life compared to previous single use product.

The design has improved stacking capacity by 30%, avoids spills and splashes when pouring and can be recycled, into items such as drainpipes, at the end of its life.

An independent, international expert jury panel led by the global Sustainable Packaging Coalition evaluated over 120 entries in this year’s competition on seven innovation factors – including resource and energy optimisation and enhanced performance – in selecting ten winners.

Among the ten winners recognised for sustainable packaging achievements include:

• Aveda Vintage Clove Shampoo from The Estee Lauder Companies, US, for “outstanding producer involvement and commitment to a take-back program and innovation in the use of post consumer recycle material”;
• Sealed Air’s Renew-A-Pak bakeware from Biosphere Industries, US, for 100% compostable, oven- and microwave-safe baking trays that “make possible reinvention of retail baking practices and simplification of the supply chain with considerable waste reduction”;
• Clear polybags from Procter & Gamble in Belgium and Turkey, that replace corrugated packaging, resulting in 80% drop in weight and 20% better volume compression, “enabling more efficient transport and improved stock handling”;
• Pangea Organics, USA’s Holiday Gift Boxes product, for changing to an “all renewable/recycled/biodegradable carton and label” that supports its organic branding while retaining shelf appeal; and
• Unilever and Amcor Flexibles, US, for their Bertolli pasta sauces replacement of glass jars with pouches, that has resulted in 70% less materials use. “The benefits of transport efficiency are substantial … one truckload of unfilled pouches equals 25 truckloads of unfilled glass jars”.

For more packaging innovations and these awards go to: http://www2.dupont.com/Packaging_Resins/en_US/whats_new/article05282009c.html
Story sourced from http://www.environmentalmanagementnews.net/StoryView.asp?StoryID=1003218

In-bound Tourism’s Strategy with other sectors for the times

Recently, Ralph Kerle, executive chairman The Creative Leadership Forum interviewed Matt Hingerty, CEO the Australian Tourism Export Council about innovation in the areas of tourism and methods we can use to increase tourism profitability through collaboration with other sectors including health and education. For a video of the interview go to:
http://www.thecreativeleadershipforum.com

COAG puts hot water under the pump

Inefficient water systems will be phased out and all appliances properly labelled under new national energy efficiency standards as part of a new 10-year plan adopted by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). Measures to improve the energy efficiency of appliances are expected to reduce emissions by the same amount as would be achieved by removing 4.8 million cars from the nation’s roads.

The changes will include national legislation for improved labelling and energy ratings on electric hot water systems. From next year, all new homes and commercial buildings will have to meet energy rating standards.

Story from http://www.environmentalmanagementnews.net/StoryView.asp?StoryID=1003468

Five Most Important Leadership Traits

In an article by Mark Shead, it was argued that there were five leadership traits that people look for in a leader. These five leadership traits are:

1. Honest
2. Forward-Looking
3. Competent
4. Inspiring
5. Intelligent

These five characteristics came from Kouzes and Posner’s research into leadership that was done for the book The Leadership Challenge.

In Shead’s article it is argued that:

“Your skill at exhibiting these five traits is strongly correlated with people’s desire to follow your lead. Exhibiting these traits will inspire confidence in your leadership.”

For more on these leadership traits go to: http://www.leadership501.com/five-most-important-leadership-traits/27/

New website promotes global green business success

A select few Australian businesses have wasted no time in jumping onboard the latest ‘green business’ initiative – a new global website that shares success stories of saving dollars and the environment. The interactive site, launched by the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office, shares secrets on how being cost-effective and reducing greenhouse gas emissions can go hand-in-hand.

The website – www.climatesuccess.org - proves companies can “reduce their carbon footprint while increasing profits and creating jobs”, according to British High Commissioner Helen Liddell.

“The examples from Australia are particularly interesting. I hope to see more of them as companies and local governments use the site to tell the public how they are reducing their carbon footprint,” she said.

Australian businesses lauded on the website include Foster’s, which at its Yatala and Abbotsford breweries cut electricity consumption (by 11% and 9% respectively since 1997) and brought the company savings of $700,000 per year.

The others are the local arms of multinationals. Glass manufacturer Owens-Illinois has cut its energy and water costs by as much as three quarters in one plant. Aloca’s local business cut emissions through energy efficiency, productivity improvements and technological innovation while waste management company Global Renewables used its biological digestion model to generate energy from solid household waste.

Case studies of 63 successful transitions to low-carbon economy from big players including supermarket chain Tesco in the UK, Hilton hotels throughout Europe, PepsiCola in India, paper manufacturing in Brazil and methane mining in Kazakhstan also feature on the website.

Submission to the website are welcome. Story sourced from: http://www.environmentalmanagementnews.net/StoryView.asp?StoryID=1003402

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