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SPA aims to be an international focal point for knowledge, tools and expertise that catalyse and facilitate continuous improvement in packaging systems environmental performance and sustainability. Through these capabilities, SPA aims to contribute to the positioning of Australia as an international leader in commercial application and adoption of sustainable packaging systems.
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Sustainability is a complex concept and one that is very much open to interpretation. While general statements about protecting the environment, maintaining social equity and improving eco-efficiency might be useful principles, translating these into specifics is required to embed sustainable development in day-to-day business practice. Packaging sustainability is particularly challenging as it does not “belong” to one industry sector or one science/technology/ engineering discipline. It is multi-functional and multi-disciplinary, linking social science to process engineering and eco-design and more.
SPA’s activities strategically link research that defines, understands, drives and provides solutions for sustainable packaging development and mechanisms that translate research outputs and knowledge into business ready tools, training and services. SPA also acts as a catalyst not just to harness the skills and capabilities from within its partners but to facilitate the action by practitioners (research and commercial) in areas that will advance packaging sustainability.
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The Sustainable Packaging Alliance is a joint initiative of Victoria University of Technology, through its Packaging and Polymer Research Unit, RMIT University, through its Centre for Design, and Birubi Innovation Pty Ltd.
The VU and RMIT partners are the two most recognised Australian research capabilities in evaluating packaging system functionality, environmental performance evaluation (including LCA) and packaging system eco-design. This expertise is backed up with capabilities in supply chain integration, intermodal transport systems, active food packaging, transport packaging dynamics, polymer (re-) processing technology, consumer behaviour, operational management, marketing and business, and environmental accounting within their organisations. Birubi Innovation has extensive experience in managing commercial focused science programs, small business operations, process engineering, primary production, food product development, and environmental management. Particular strengths are R&D business systems, processes and project management, small business technical support, technology transfer, sustainable development and developing collaborative, multi-partner research networks. These skills complement the VU and RMIT capabilities to integrate a commercial and outcome focus to SPA.
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