Ecolean wins gold at 2020 PIDA packaging awards

Ecolean and its customer Bannister Downs Dairy won two gold awards at the 2020 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards (PIDA), which was held virtually on 6–7 May.

The company won the Accessible Packaging Design category for its packaging solution that is certified easy to open and easy to use by people with reduced hand function.

And the gold award in the Innovation of The Year in the Beverage category was tied between Coca-Cola Amatil’s 100% rPET bottle and Bannister Downs Dairy’s lightweight Ecolean packages, making a strong case for lightweight plastic packaging.

Bannister Downs Dairy has used Ecolean’s lightweight packaging solutions since 2005 and the packaging format features an easy tear-off to open the package and an air-filled handle to make it easy to hold when pouring. The packages are also 50–60% lighter than other packages for liquid food.

“Ecolean has been a key part of the work we do to ensure our business is not only at the forefront of innovation in our industry, but also to have as small an impact on our environment as possible,” said Sue Daubney, Managing Director, Bannister Downs Dairy. “We are so proud to see our packaging partners enjoying recognition in Australia and New Zealand for their long-term commitment to developing the lightweight and unique packaging which makes a difference for us, our consumers and the environment.”

“Plastic packaging makes a big difference in the beverage and liquid food industry today,” said Johnny Sajland, Global Sales Director of Ecolean. “Our packages are lightweight, tough, durable and have excellent food safety properties. We’re glad that the benefits of plastic packaging are increasingly recognised, by conscious consumers worldwide as well as by the PIDA awards.”