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AWEN: Your Pathway to Sustainable Packaging

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

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.

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.

📖 Link in bio.

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. 🪒"=

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

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
📍 Online via Teams

Last call to register > Link in bio!

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?

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

21/07/2026

Packaging made of coffee grounds, grape waste, eggshells & mycelium

Right now, European manufacturers are turning waste streams like these into genuine packaging substrates, not lab experiments, but materials already on shelves for premium brands.

This is where packaging innovation is heading, and it moves faster than most brand owners realise.

I put together a full rundown of what I found on my recent trip through Europe, including the standouts worth watching: see link in bio for the blog link

16/07/2026

This Plastic Free July, I am answering your frequently asked questions on the best packaging options!

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Join me at the Sustainable Packaging Summit this November in Utrecht

Use the discount code RENATA15

Link in bio!

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http://www.awenconsulting.com/

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