BioPak: Food packaging to toss in the compost, not the ocean

When Richard Fine started BioPak in 2006 it was against a backdrop of beaches coated in rubbish.

Thirteen years later and he’s still fighting to get single use plastics out of our waters, and with BioPak he’s doing his best to make a difference.

It was the launch of the industrially compostable BioCup coffee cup in 2009 that really put this sustainable food packaging company on the map. You might have seen its products at your local cafe, often in brightly coloured vibrant, environmentally themed designs as part of BioPak’s BioCup Art Series.

BioPak now offers a complete range of compostable alternatives to standard single use food service items: from straws and napkins to take away boxes and trays. All can be composted, either industrially or at home.

Hundreds of tonnes of waste saved from landfill

In 2017, BioPak also launched a compost collection service in Sydney. This allows businesses to have their compostable BioPak packaging collected on a regular basis, along with any other organic matter. This is then taken away and converted into nutrient rich compost within 120 days that is returned to the soil.

“It’s all about circularity and circular solutions,” says Richard. “It’s important to me that it’s not just the product, but the entire supply chain that moves towards sustainability.”

A product that keeps growing

“We believe there is a better way of doing things. That’s why all of our packaging is made from responsibly-sourced plant-based materials, designed for a circular economy and carbon neutral from resource to disposal.”

For Richard and the BioPak team, education is key. This counts both for consumer awareness, and the company’s own research and development. 

“As we evolve, so do our products,” says Richard. “It’s really important that we stay abreast of new technologies and bio based materials to ensure that we always offer the most sustainable solutions and continue to reduce the environmental impact of our product range.”