Following “overwhelming response of the packaging supply chain” to this year's event, the Starpack Industry Awards 2008 has been augmented by four special categories.
As the environmental category received the greatest number of entries and the widest variety of solutions, the judges have decided that there should be two awards within this category: Packaging Optimization and New Developments. Head judge Steve Kelsey, strategic innovation director, PI3 Design, says this move reflected "the great response to the category and the increasing innovation within environmental packaging solutions. Consequently, the two awards will reflect Packaging Optimization - by providing real packaging reduction; and New Developments, demonstrating longer term technical solutions involving more lateral approaches."
All the special awards encompass consumer convenience, environmental initiatives and design. He continues: "It became clear to the judging panel that the sheer breadth of innovation and lateral thinking across the entries were deserving of special recognition. We are delighted to promote the great benefits offered to consumers by packaging. Starpack has created four additional awards that, apart from their environmental characteristics, encompass excellence in design and provide a real answer to consumer calls for convenience."
Mark Barthel special advisor for lead sponsor the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), comments: "We are particularly delighted with the number and quality of entries to this year's WRAP Environmental Awards. This shows that the importance of environmental performance and sustainable packaging are now widely recognized by the packaging industry. These factors are located squarely on the boardroom agenda of major brands and retailers. We look forward to seeing more initiatives in this area."
Environmental concerns will also be addressed in the Starpack Summit, The Packaging Dilemma: The Consumer Challenge. For example, Julie Hill, waste policy expert at the Green Alliance, will explore questions relating to choice. She will consider recent challenges to the Government regarding the provision of clear price signals on such products as batteries and packaging, the purpose of which is to reduce their environmental impact.
"We have a choice,” she argues,”do we want to continue living with stuff which conflicts with living a low carbon, low waste lifestyle, or do we want to consume in ways that are smart, pleasurable and sustainable?"
Sanjay Patel, Coca-Cola’s innovation manager for Europe, Eurasia and Middle East, will outline some of the intricate methodologies used to create primary packaging that is both environmentally acceptable and safe for consumers. The advances in sustainable options for retail-ready packaging and their role in supply chain efficiencies will be covered by DS Smith Packaging. The critical role of corporate responsibility and the challenges faced by brand owners and retailers will be explained by Tom Rotherham, of Radley Yeldar.
The Starpack 2008 events, organized by IOP: The Packaging Society, take place in London on May 22 2008. The Starpack Industry Awards are run in association with Packaging Today.
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Starpack 2008
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