Brisbane Botanical Gardens

A changing environment

We’re all concerned about climate change and our impact on the environment, sometimes we may not want to accept that something we enjoy may be contributing to it. Unfortunately; the hospitality and wine industries around the world play a contributing role in greenhouse emissions. However; a new and upcoming company is challenging the norm and starting to make an impact.

 Let me introduce to you Packamama; the innovators behind the 100% recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate, the chemical name for polyester). eco-flat wine bottle. Not only have they reimagined a wine bottle, but the change in the shape and design are also having further impacts through reductions in packaging and efficiencies in transportation.

In 2022 Packamama was awarded with a prestigious award for sustainability worldwide which honours the best solutions for current energy and climate. Their eco-flat bottles were honoured  with the National Energy Globe Award United Kingdom 2022.

What's in a name?

The name Packamama is inspired by Pachamama, the earth goddess in Inca mythology. Packamama   is an "Earth Mother" type goddess and a fertility goddess who presides over planting, harvesting, and embodies the mountains. With the Packamama at the helm the company is on a mission to contribute to the fight against global warming. Their aim is to provide innovative, climate friendly packaging for the drinks industry.

What they do

Packamama leads with the motto “Packaging protecting mother earth” and they are gaining significant recognition for what they call “the wine bottle of the future”.  Packamama produces and supplies bottles, caps, labels and secondary packaging all using recycled materials. Packamama states the “savings in global emissions from the wine industry alone will make a big impact”. A number of wine producers including Taylors Wines have adopted and are taking advantage of the new eco-friendly bottle.

Eco-friendly flat bottle impacts

One of the key impacts of the Packamama Eco-friendy bottles is that they only source plastic already in “the system”. Think about the millions of water bottles already in circulation. This initiative means it is not necessary produce new plastics because they are slowly reusing what is already there. Another saving is the elimination of protective packaging in between bottles, no glass no need for padding

Is PET safe?

PET is approved as safe for contact with foods and beverages by the Food and Drug Administration in the USA (FDA) and health-safety agencies throughout the world.

 According to the PET Resin association (USA) “the environmental impact of PET is very favourable in comparison to glass, aluminium, and other container materials.” They explain that the capacity-to-weight ratio is a key to its energy efficiency. This means they can place more product in less packaging and this translates to more product being transported for same amount of fuel.

Sustainable packaging innovations

Due to the change in bottle shape new packaging has been developed to accommodate the bottles. Packamama has divided their packaging range into 2 categories.

E-commerce Range

This packaging is ideal for small online sales;

·      The single bottle postal pack is flat with a flip lid and could fit in certain mail boxes!

·      The 10-bottle pack is compact and uses less cardboard than a traditional 12 bottle box

·      The pizza box is a flat box with a flip lid with special space for a flat bottle of wine and one pizza.

Palletisation Range

This packaging allows for efficiencies in mass road transport

Packamama have created boxes for six and twelve wine bottles. To comprehend the scale of this efficiency twelve eco-flat bottles can fit in a box that would normally cater for 6 glass wine bottles. In addition:

·      Cardboard is responsibly sourced

·      Reduction in cardboard, plastic wine bottles do not need cardboard bottle dividers

·      Saves space to fit up to 91% more wine on a pallet

·      Can deliver more product within the existing space on the transport vehicle.

Stephen's Take

Unit of Competency Mapping

Please note; the purpose of this article is to introduce current hospitality trends. The content broadly applies to the units of competency listed. It is not intended that all content in this article maps directly to all performance evidence and knowledge evidence in the unit of competency.

Article and photos original by Stephen Duncan