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OSC now accepting submissions for Packaging Innovation Awards
The OSC Packaging Collaborative will honor the best sustainable packaging innovations at Natural Products Expo West in March. Get the contest details.
January 23, 2024
2 Min Read
Alamy
The OSC Packaging Collaborative, an industry group dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainability in packaging practices, has opened the second annual OSC Packaging Innovation Awards competition.
These awards celebrate excellence in sustainable packaging, responsible practices and circularity—all integral components of the natural products industry. Submissions are due Feb. 16 and there is no entry fee. However, companies may submit only one entry per category:
Innovation in Materials recognizes advancements in the development of novel, sustainable packaging materials that perform well and ensure the safety of a product. Materials should be more sustainable across metrics than mainstream options such as recycled paper or plastic. Materials must have a reasonable end-of-life cycle management solution.
Refillables applies to packaging solutions that promote reusability, encouraging consumers to reduce waste through purchasing or a subscription to a refill option. The refill option should be integrated into the packaging model from the initial product purchase, ensuring ease of product replacement. The replenishment product should be packaged minimally to reduce waste throughout the supply chain.
Supply Chain Waste Reduction minimizes physical byproducts and waste of materials and natural resources such as water, coal, timber and oil during product manufacturing. The manufacturing process may also use renewable energy sources for production and minimize reliance on fossil fuels.
The OSC Packaging Innovation Awards judges include members of the OSC Advisory Board; Lara Dickinson, OSC’s executive director; the dedicated Packaging Collaborative team; and external guest judges including experts from manufacturing, waste management experts and non-governmental organizations.
Winners will be notified on March 1 and recognized on stage March 14 at the 2024 Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California. In addition, they will be featured in various trade publications and OSC social media channels, amplifying their positive impact within the industry and communities.
In 2023, Bar-U-Eat won the OSC Packaging Innovation Award with its BPI-certified compostable bar wrapper.
The OSC Packaging Collaborative contributes to the movement through its efforts in fostering key relationships across the compostable materials supply chain; researching alternatives to conventional packaging; educating brands and consumers about packaging and waste management; and advocating for policy change.
“One of our top missions at The OSC Packaging Collaborative is to raise awareness about sustainable packaging and find ways to mobilize industry stakeholders and consumers to join forces on this front,” said Jake Hebert, OSC Packaging Collaborative Director. “We want to champion brands that are blazing a trail in this effort, and consumers want to reward those efforts too. A study done by McKinsey shows that 60%-70% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for products that use sustainable packaging.”
Source: OSC Packaging Collaborative
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