Australia’s inaugural Unpackit Awards highlight worst and best packaging solutions
Consensus Summary
Australia’s inaugural Unpackit Awards, organized by the Australian Marine Conservation Society, WWF-Australia, and the Plastic Free Foundation, highlighted the country’s worst and best packaging solutions. The plastic-metal hybrid 'franken-can,' commonly used by cafes for cold drinks, was named the worst packaging due to its single-use nature, difficulty in recycling, and contribution to litter. The awards also recognized innovative solutions like The Udder Way’s 18-litre refillable milk kegs, which have averted 4.5 million single-use plastic bottles since 2021. Major supermarkets, Mentos, and Kmart received dishonourable mentions for excessive plastic packaging, while Bearhug and Cercle were praised for their reusable systems. Environmentalists emphasized the need for stronger national packaging laws, as current state-by-state bans, like the one on franken-cans in Western Australia, are insufficient. The awards drew from public nominations and aim to drive change in packaging practices across Australia.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The plastic-metal hybrid 'franken-can' won the inaugural Unpackit Award for Australia’s worst packaging in 2026.
- The Unpackit Awards were organized by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), WWF-Australia, and the Plastic Free Foundation.
- The Udder Way’s 18L refillable milk kegs won the award for Australia’s best packaging, averting an estimated 4.5 million single-use plastic milk bottles since 2021.
- Major supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths, Aldi) received a dishonourable mention for wrapping avocados in unnecessary plastic netting.
- Mentos received a dishonourable mention for individually wrapped mints that contribute to litter.
- Cip Hamilton, plastics campaigns manager for AMCS, criticized the franken-can as a 'completely unnecessary plastic-metal hybrid can' that is not accepted by container refund schemes.
- The awards were announced in Canberra on June 2, 2026, by independent MPs Zali Steggall, Sophie Scamps, and Kate Chaney.
- The franken-can has already been banned in Western Australia, but national packaging laws are overdue.
- About 60% of litter collected in Australia is packaging.
- Bearhug’s reusable pallet wrap system received an honourable mention, displacing 350kg of single-use plastic per wrap over its lifetime.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Unpackit awards were based on awards by the same name established in New Zealand more than a decade ago.
- The franken-can is used by cafes for customers dining in, replacing reusable cups and glasses.
- The franken-can is likely to end up as street litter.
- The Udder Way’s milk kegs are available in venues using high volumes of milk, such as cafes and event spaces, and are beginning to be rolled out in supermarkets for individual consumers.
- The price of resins for making plastic containers has increased due to Strait of Hormuz-related factors.
- Kmart’s Anko dumbbell set carry case was criticized for individually wrapping weights in plastic.
- The Plastic Free Foundation’s Rebecca Prince-Ruiz noted that half of public nominations were for plastic packaging around fruit and vegetables in major supermarkets.
- The franken-can is described as a 'thick plastic jar filled onsite and sealed with an aluminium top welded to the vessel, making it disposable after a single use.'
- The Unpackit Awards received hundreds of nominations from the public before judges decided the winners.
- Cercle’s reusable steel coffee cups have eliminated more than 1.5 million single-use cups.
- The Udder Way’s kegs have replaced an estimated 245,000 kilograms of plastic waste since 2021.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the awards were announced on June 2, 2026, while the ABC does not specify the exact date of the announcement.
Source Articles
Can you not? Plastic and metal ‘franken-can’ named Australia’s worst packaging at Unpackit awards
‘Completely unnecessary’ hybrid cans are not easily recycled or accepted by container refund schemes, and are already banned in WA Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A single-use plastic and metal drinking vessel dubbed a “franken-can” has been given the dubious honour of the nation’s worst plastic packaging. The plastic-metal hybrid can, which is not accepted by container refund schemes or easily recycled – has won the inaugural Unpackit award for Australia’s worst pac
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