Packaging that supports Australia’s circular economy goals will be a key focus at ReGen 2025, to be held on 23-24 July at ICC Sydney.
Three companies, Cardia Bioplastics, Biobag World Australia and thinkpac, are set to showcase new solutions aimed at reducing waste, recovering more materials, and helping to meet the 2025 National Packaging Targets.
Cardia Bioplastics, part of My Eco Group, creates plant-based, compostable packaging for foodservice, retail and council applications. The business says its products are designed to “reduce landfill waste” and support local government initiatives, including food organics and garden organics (FOGO) collection.
Biobag World Australia provides compostable bags and liners made from renewable, biodegradable materials. These products are geared towards kerbside organics collection schemes and offer a plastic-free alternative for councils and businesses.
Thinkpac’s packaging is made from post-consumer soft plastics with a focus on recyclability and design for lifecycle. The company uses an integrated recycling and manufacturing process to produce food-safe products and says its approach helps clients “meet environmental targets and manage long-term waste costs”.
With just over a year left to reach the 2025 targets which include making all packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable, attention is turning to the practicalities, clearer labelling, more functional designs and infrastructure that can support change.
According to the Circular Economy Framework (2024), improving packaging design and material selection is essential to cutting emissions and reducing waste. The Australian Government reports that over 76 million tonnes of waste are generated each year, with packaging still a significant contributor.
Despite some progress, businesses are spending an estimated $1.4 billion annually to send $26.5 billion worth of material to landfill, indicating a need for change in how packaging is designed and managed.
Formerly known as the Australian Waste & Recycling Expo, ReGen 2025 will host a two-day speaker program alongside its exhibition. The event will feature presentations from industry leaders working across packaging, waste and resource recovery.
