Future Thinking

Recognition for Bunzl’s education and initiatives in sustainable awareness.

WITH SUSTAINABILITY being a significant driving force behind many of Bunzl’s initiatives, the company has recently been recognised at the 2022 Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) Awards, a prestigious industry event, for its education and implementation of sustainability initiatives.

Bunzl picked up the Packaging Future Award in Industry Education for engaging in several programs to support customer sustainability ambitions. APCO says the company’s efforts are “proactively supporting customers to improve their knowledge and use of sustainable practices and packaging to reduce overall waste”.

The work includes publishing numerous articles and fact sheets around the benefits of using sustainable packaging, providing range reviews to look for better sustainable alternatives and the implementation of sustainable ambassadors nation-wide – all in a bid to proactively educate customers around green initiatives.

The APCO Awards are held annually and celebrate the achievements of leaders in business who are developing sustainable-packaging and recycling solutions.

“We’re honoured to receive this award in recognition of everyone at Bunzl who have continuously worked to engage our customers and others in our value chain to improve packaging sustainability,” says Bunzl’s Head of Sustainability Felicity King. “At Bunzl, we support our customers to make more informed decisions about the products they use and reducing the impact problematic plastic packaging has on the environment.”

Reducing Impacts

Bunzl looks to minimise carbon emissions from freight.

IN A BID to further reduce carbon emissions, Bunzl is working on drastically cutting down the impacts of freight deliveries. With an aim already in place to reduce direct CO2 emissions from operations to zero by 2030 as part of the Asia Pacific Scope 1 & 2 Roadmap, we are now focusing on indirect emissions – Scope 3 – such as those produced in the course of deliveries.

To address the issue of emissions caused by freight deliveries, Bunzl is selecting carrier networks in Australia and New Zealand with robust vehiclereplacement policies and electric-vehicle transition plans, while encouraging the optimisation of freight and trip efficiency. We are also optimising Bunzl warehousing sites by designing more productive ways of fulfilling back-orders, increasing the efficiency of consignment despatch and maximising space with more streamlined order packing.

To that end, we have begun developing a supplier engagement plan and tool to measure emissions produced by freighting goods to customers, which will be put in place this year. Informed by the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) Framework, our sustainability team, working with carbon emission calculation experts, combine and analyse sales and freight data to determine delivery emissions and identify efficiency opportunities, such as order frequency at specific locations.

Most importantly, we are working with our partners and customers to achieve our net zero goals. Alongside companies worldwide, Bunzl is committed to the UN’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C and Race to Zero, with aims to be 25% more carbon efficient by 2025, 50% more efficient by 2030, and net zero by 2050.

ALTERNATIVES FOR SINGLEUSE PLASTICS

As of 1 February, the Victorian Government banned problematic single-use plastics. Here’s Bunzl’s guide to single-use plastic alternatives.

PAPER STRAWS; REUSABLE/METAL STRAWS

BIRCHWOOD CUTLERY; REUSABLE STAINLESS STEEL OR REUSABLE PLASTIC CUTLERY

PAPER OR SUGARCANE PLATES; REUSABLE PLASTIC, METAL OR CROCKERY

WOODEN STIRRERS; STAINLESS STEEL TEASPOONS

SUGARCANE (BAGASSE) CLAMSHELLS AND CONTAINERS

PAPER CUPS; RECYCLABLE PET CUPS; REUSABLE CUPS

Food Tech on the Go

Boasting a cutting-edge temperature-control system and user-friendly design, the SDX Thermobox leads the way in food transportation.

WHEN IT COMES to food transportation, temperature is key: too high, food can lose its freshness or dry out, while too low, flavours can be compromised. Food-safety issues are also a risk if the correct temperatures cannot be maintained. And with the rush of peak holiday season – when the hospitality industry is at its busiest – safe and secure food handling is especially paramount.

Maintaining safe temperatures for food has required regular technological advances to provide solutions. Ice boxes have given way to gas-powered refrigeration, which has in turn given way to electric refrigeration.

Now, new technology from Moffat ensures that food is being transported at the optimal temperature at all times. The brand’s SDX Thermobox range –which includes insulated heated or chilled transport containers, or a combination of the two – employs a patented electronic system that keeps food deliciously fresh and jam-packed with flavour. To maintain the optimal temperature in such a small internal space, SDX Thermobox is insulated with polyurethane, which expands under high pressure to fill the gap between the outer and inner walls.

At a time of heightened concern over exposure to pathogens, SDX Thermobox is also designed to be simple to clean. Built with stainless steel walls that are welded together rather than featuring joints or recesses, the units can be wiped clean easily.

And proving that every facet of the product has been carefully considered, SDX Thermobox boasts an ergonomic design based on consultation with final users. As such, the base and collision frame sit at a suitable height for loading and unloading, while a built-in tray track makes it easy to serve directly at the box. Rigorously tested, the SDX Thermobox range offers all you need for safe, clean, and effective food transportation.