AWEN Consulting

AWEN Consulting AWEN: Your Pathway to Sustainable Packaging

Two important WA single-use plastic ban deadlines are approaching. Is your business ready?đź“… From 1 September 2026The tem...
07/09/2026

Two important WA single-use plastic ban deadlines are approaching. Is your business ready?

đź“… From 1 September 2026
The temporary exemption for disposable plastic containers and lids used for hot, liquid or soupy takeaway food ends. Businesses must transition to compliant alternatives.

đź“… From 1 October 2026
Non-compostable plastic barrier bags used for loose or unpackaged meat, seafood and dairy products will be banned. Compostable plastic alternatives must be certified to AS 4736-2006 and/or AS 5810-2010 and comply with WA’s barrier bag design requirements.

Importantly, businesses cannot continue supplying non-compliant stock after the applicable deadline—even if it was purchased beforehand.

Now is the time to review existing stock, confirm certification with suppliers and test alternatives for safety and functionality.

Need support reviewing your packaging for compliance? Contact us, link in bio 👩‍💻

Source: WA Plastics Ban

PackagingRegulations WesternAustralia AWENConsulting

Today, 6 September, AWEN Packaging Consulting joins the global packaging community in celebrating the inaugural World Pa...
06/09/2026

Today, 6 September, AWEN Packaging Consulting joins the global packaging community in celebrating the inaugural World Packaging Day—an initiative created and led by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO).

Under the message “Packaging moves life forward”, the campaign recognises the essential role packaging plays in modern society through four pillars:

📦 Packaging for Progress
🥗 Packaging Against Food Waste
🌍 Packaging and Economic Growth
♻️ Packaging and Sustainability

These pillars closely align with AWEN’s work.

We believe that good packaging must protect products, reduce losses, enable safe and efficient supply chains, and provide access to essential goods. At the same time, it must be designed responsibly, supported by evidence and compatible with the regulatory and recovery systems of the markets where it is used.

As packaging regulations evolve globally—from the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation to Extended Producer Responsibility schemes—businesses must increasingly consider functionality, circularity and compliance together.

World Packaging Day is an opportunity to recognise the professionals working across the entire packaging value chain and the contribution packaging makes to people, businesses and communities every day.

At AWEN, we are proud to support organisations in making informed packaging decisions that balance performance, compliance and circularity.

Because better packaging can move businesses, communities and life forward.

Learn more about the WPO campaign:
https://www.worldpackaging.org/WPD/

Two years ago, I signed AWEN up as a participant of the United Nations Global Compact. This year I am proud to renew tha...
19/08/2026

Two years ago, I signed AWEN up as a participant of the United Nations Global Compact. This year I am proud to renew that commitment for 2026.

The UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, and it shapes how we work with every client. The Ten Principles cover human rights, fair labour, environmental stewardship, and anti-corruption, and we build those principles into the packaging strategies we design, not just our internal policies.

For me, this isn't about ticking boxes, it's deeply personal. Being a participant in the UN Global Compact guides our daily operations and client partnerships. We embed environmental responsibility into the packaging strategies we build. We respect and promote human rights and ethical labour practices within supply chains. We maintain transparent, corruption-free business practices in how we run AWEN and how we advise our clients.

If you want to see more on how this shapes our work with clients, and how we tie it back to the SDGs we prioritise in every project, I've written more on our sustainability page.

See link in bio to learn more

The Readers' Awards are open, and this is the last week to nominate, so here's who I'm putting forward and why. 3 innova...
11/08/2026

The Readers' Awards are open, and this is the last week to nominate, so here's who I'm putting forward and why.

3 innovations can be nominated, and one of my picks is Z1RO Europe, for their moulded fibre made from fallen leaves, agricultural residues, h**p hurds and European bamboo. Most "next generation" fibre packaging this year has swapped one virgin input for another and called it innovation, while Z1RO built a process around biomass nobody else bothers to use commercially, retaining the plant fibre's natural lignin as a binder instead of relying on added chemistry, which means lower processing intensity and energy use while still running on existing moulded-fibre lines. It also gives a premium finish, which matters as they are targeting categories including cosmetics, spirits, and luxury and gifting.

Nominations close 14 August. If a packaging innovation impressed you this year, put their name forward before the window closes.

The answers many packaging professionals have been waiting for are finally here.The updated PPWR FAQs clarify some of th...
09/08/2026

The answers many packaging professionals have been waiting for are finally here.

The updated PPWR FAQs clarify some of the Regulation's biggest grey areas—from producer responsibilities to packaging minimisation and reusable packaging.

I've summarised the key changes in my latest article.

đź“– Link in bio.

KAI's Paper Razor caught my attention for how creatively simple the engineering is. The handle is made from a water-resi...
05/08/2026

KAI's Paper Razor caught my attention for how creatively simple the engineering is.

The handle is made from a water-resistant paper, so it holds up through a hot shower (up to 40c), the rigidity comes entirely from the origami-inspired design, not from any internal plastic frame.

The blade and head stay metal, and the two parts separate cleanly at the end of the razor's life for recycling.

This Japanese design has also won the GOOD DESIGN award!

Swipe through for how it works. 🪒"=

Plastic Free July is coming to an end, but hopefully it is not the end of your journey to reduce plastic consumption. In...
01/08/2026

Plastic Free July is coming to an end, but hopefully it is not the end of your journey to reduce plastic consumption. Instead, I hope it is the beginning of new habits.

This month, my pledge was to reduce the amount of plastic packaged products I buy. Instead, I tried to purchase more bulk foods using reusable containers and, when that was not possible, choose products with little or no plastic packaging.

I have to be honest, it was not easy.

I found myself buying more products packaged in paper or glass, visiting my local butcher instead of buying prepacked meat from the supermarket, and paying much closer attention to every purchasing decision.

What surprised me most was how much planning it takes. Reducing plastic is not just about making better choices. It is also about changing routines that we have built over many years.

Did I avoid plastic completely? No. However, I definitely reduced my consumption, discovered new alternatives, and realised that small and consistent changes are much more achievable than trying to be perfect.

Plastic Free July may be ending, but these are habits I intend to continue throughout the year.

What is one habit you started this month that you plan to keep?

Sustainability ReduceReuseRecycle

12 August is closer than most EU-facing packaging businesses think.Tomorrow I'm running a free one-hour session on exact...
29/07/2026

12 August is closer than most EU-facing packaging businesses think.

Tomorrow I'm running a free one-hour session on exactly what changes when PPWR becomes enforceable, and what you need in place before that date. Declaration of Conformity, technical documentation, packaging minimisation, PFAS restrictions. All four apply from day one with no grace period.

I'll also walk through what's coming in 2030 so you're planning ahead of it rather than reacting to it.

If you sell into the EU, manufacture there, or export from APAC into Europe, this applies to you.

📆 TOMORROW - Thursday 30 July, 12:00pm–1:00pm AEST
đź“Ť Online via Teams

Last call to register > Link in bio!

Recycling on the go is getting an upgrade.New Return and Earn baskets will soon be installed alongside public bins acros...
27/07/2026

Recycling on the go is getting an upgrade.

New Return and Earn baskets will soon be installed alongside public bins across the Inner West, creating dedicated collection points for eligible bottles, cans and drink cartons.

It's great to see these simple changes that makes recycling easier, reduces waste sent to landfill and helps create cleaner public spaces for everyone. ♻️

Have you seen any in your local park yet?

20 days out from PPWR enforcement, and most businesses I talk to still don't have their Declaration of Conformity sorted...
23/07/2026

20 days out from PPWR enforcement, and most businesses I talk to still don't have their Declaration of Conformity sorted.

12 August isn't a soft deadline. If your packaging touches the EU market, the obligations land that day.

I'm running a free one-hour session next Thursday 30th July to walk through exactly what's required before 12 August and what's coming in 2030.

You'll leave with:
- a cheat sheet covering every obligation and deadline,
- a timeline summary,
- a document checklist for your Declaration of Conformity,
- a copy of the presentation

📆 Thursday 30 July, 12:00pm–1:00pm AEST
⏲️ Online via Teams
🎫 Register via link in bio

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