Sustainability

Unilever has called for the consumer goods industry to step-up its efforts to tackle the mounting challenge of ocean plastic waste and create a circular economy for plastics.

Free plastic carrier bags will disappear from Australia’s two largest supermarkets in 2018. There are many arguments for and against this change, as it is important to look at the all environmental impacts of their alternatives.

The Australian Institute of Packaging is collaborating with Empauer to undertake research into the attitudes and behaviours of industry across sustainability.

Last year the Food & Beverage Industry Awards introduced a number of new categories. One of these was the Paddock to Plate award, won this year by El Cielo.

Sustainable packaging producer BioPak has launched a composting service in Australia for food service packaging, including paper coffee cups, in a move designed to divert food scraps and food service packaging from landfill.

If Australia is to continue its agricultural tradition and also take advantage of future food opportunities, we can’t afford to waste our natural resources. As Matthew McDonald reports, Xylem Water Solutions can help make sure we don’t.

Smith’s and Sakata Rice Snacks Australia, Pernod Ricard Winemakers and Rawbone Pet Foods have taken out APCO Award for sustainable packaging initiatives.

Chep Australia won the 2017 Packaging Manufacturer Award at the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation annual Sustainable Packaging Awards last week.

Farmer Power,  has just launched two fund raising campaigns in partnership with APCO Australia to help promote and fund an educational campaign for the public and as a signal to the government to inform them on the issues within the dairy industry. According to the news release by Farmer Power, they have said that the financial … Continue reading Farmer Power launches new fund raising campaigns →

Technavio market research analysts forecast the global automated food sorting machines market to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of close to seven per cent during the forecast period, according to their latest report. The research company’s analysts highlight the following three market drivers that are contributing to the growth of the global automated food sorting machines … Continue reading Automated food sorting machines to grow at seven per cent CAGR by 2021 →

New technologies could see us eating algae-based sources of protein, developing allergenic-free nuts and tolerable varieties of lactose and gluten, and reducing environmental impact through edible packaging. Speaking at the launch during the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology’s (AIFST) 50th Anniversary Convention in Sydney, Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Craig Laundy , highlighted … Continue reading CSIRO maps out Australia’s food future →

The forum was a unique opportunity for leaders across government, corporate and non-profit sectors to hear first-hand about the obstacles confronting young entrepreneurs.

One in three (30%) consumers in Australia would consider spending more on a premium offering in key grocery categories, recent Nielsen research has shown. Nielsen Scantrack data highlights that consumers are trading up everyday products in their shopping trolleys, with meat and seafood being the top choices when considering a higher price tag, and tea … Continue reading Consumers purchasing premium during their grocery shop →

Arrow Energy has announced plans to double the production capacity of its Tipton gas project in Queensland amid an east-coast industrial gas shortage. The planned expansion of Arrow’s Tipton operations is expected to involve 90 new wells in the initial phase and another 180 wells over the next 25 years. It will also include new gathering … Continue reading Arrow Energy set to fix manufacturers’ energy woes →

According to a story on ABC Online, freeze-dried food could be the solution to saving billions of dollars worth of wasted produce. Australians dispose of $10 billion worth of food every year and according to Foodwise, with $2.76 billion of that is fresh produce. Queensland food processor Freeze Dry Industries has fast become an outlet for … Continue reading Freeze dried food could be the answer to food waste →

Shopping can be confusing at the best of times, and trying to find environmentally friendly options makes it even more difficult. Welcome to the first instalment of our Sustainable Shopping series, in which we ask experts to provide easy, eco-friendly guides to purchases big and small. The morning coffee ritual is serious business; Australians drink … Continue reading Sustainable shopping: here’s how to find coffee that doesn’t cost the Earth →

XTS Hygienic, the stainless steel version of the eXtended Transport System from Beckhoff, opens up a wide spectrum of new applications for processing and filling liquids.   Allowing optimal cleanability with the high protection rating of IP 69K, very good chemical resistance and without any hidden corners, edges or undercuts, the hygienic design offers maximum production … Continue reading Hygienic transport system for food makers →

FMCG giant Woolworths has posted its strongest sales growth in seven years- with sales rising 4.5 per cent in the March quarter, according to a report in the Australian Financial Review (AFR). This figure was well above market forecasts between 3.2 per cent and 3.6 per cent and compared is the strongest quarter for Woolworths … Continue reading It’s full steam ahead for Woolies →

In a sign of the impact the falling milk price is having on the food sector, food company Murray Goulburn (MG) said it will be closing down factories and reducing its farmgate milk price in a bid to address its “cost base, improve efficiencies and ultimately increase earnings.” This will include closure of MG’s manufacturing … Continue reading Jobs, factories and profits all go as MG battens down the hatches →

Consumers are in an unprecedented dilemma over food. On the one hand, they have never had it so good. Supermarkets have spread worldwide and are awash with food. On the other hand the rate that over-consumption of food is growing globally is unsustainable – and its effect on the environment are already being felt. For … Continue reading Why consumers need help to shift to sustainable diets →