Full Breakdown
Unpackit Awards Expose Australia’s Most Problematic Packaging
6/4/2026, 11:06:30 AM
The Unpackit Awards and the “Franken-Can” Verdict
The inaugural Unpackit Awards, organized by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), WWF-Australia and the Plastic Free Foundation, named the single-use plastic-metal “franken-can” the worst packaging in the country. The hybrid vessel—plastic jar sealed with an aluminium lid—is not accepted by container-refund schemes and is effectively unrecyclable. Judges selected it from hundreds of public nominations after reviewing packaging across cafés, supermarkets and other retailers.
Background: Plastic Packaging in Australia
Australia generates an estimated 1.3 million tonnes of plastic packaging annually, with packaging accounting for nearly 60 % of collected litter. The awards aim to spotlight both the most polluting items and innovative alternatives, echoing a similar New Zealand awards programme that has driven industry change for over a decade.
Key Organisations Behind the Awards
- Australian Marine Conservation Society – leads the campaign against marine plastic pollution.
- WWF-Australia – provides policy expertise on sustainable packaging.
- Plastic Free Foundation – coordinates public nominations and outreach.
- Independent MPs – Allegra Spender, Sophie Scamps and Kate Chaney announced the winners in Canberra.
Data on Packaging Waste and Alternatives
- 1.3 million tonnes of plastic packaging produced each year.
- 60 % of litter collected is packaging material.
- The Udder Way’s refillable 18-litre milk kegs have averted an estimated 4.5 million single-use milk bottles and 245 000 kg of plastic waste since 2021.
- Bearhug’s reusable pallet wrap displaces 350 kg of single-use plastic per wrap and avoided 25 tonnes of soft plastics in a 12-month period.
Official Statements & Responses
Environmental groups emphasized that the franken-can exemplifies unnecessary, single-use design and urged a shift to reusable cups. WWF-Australia highlighted the milk-keg system as a “brilliantly simple alternative” to disposable bottles. Independent MP Sophie Scamps called for a national extended producer responsibility scheme, noting that viable solutions already exist. Supermarket representatives from ALDI and Coles defended their packaging, citing high recyclability rates and the need to protect product freshness and reduce food waste.
Criticism & Opposition
ALDI’s spokesperson reported that 87 % of its exclusive-brand packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable, while Coles stressed the functional role of certain packaging. Both statements were met with criticism from environmental advocates who argue that many of these items still contribute to litter, citing examples such as individually wrapped Mentos mints and Kmart’s plastic-wrapped dumbbell sets.
On-the-Ground Observations
Cafés across major cities have adopted franken-cans for matcha and iced coffee, but environmental monitors note that discarded cans frequently appear as street litter and are absent from refund schemes, underscoring the gap between consumer convenience and waste management.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of supermarkets receiving dishonourable mentions—some refer to “major supermarkets,” others specify “three major supermarkets.” Additionally, while impact figures for Bearhug and the Udder Way are provided, independent verification of these metrics is not included in the available reports.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The franken-can is a completely unnecessary plastic-metal hybrid can that essentially ticks every box for problematic packaging.” — Cip Hamilton, Plastics Campaigns Manager, AMCS
- “The keg saves nine plastic milk bottles with every use and has replaced an estimated 4.5 million bottles and more than 245,000 kilograms of plastic waste since 2021,” — Malene Hand, No Plastic in Nature Policy Manager, WWF-Australia
- “Scamps said: “These awards show that solutions to our plastic pollution crisis already exist – but packaging producers need an incentive to make the switch to more sustainable practices.” — Sophie Scamps, Independent MP
- “You see them on the footpath, in the gutter, at the beach — there's really no need for them,” — Cip Hamilton, AMCS (on individually wrapped Mentos)
- “Producers can't be left to their own devices, we've seen what happens there,” — Cip Hamilton, AMCS
What’s Next: Policy and Market Shifts
The awards have intensified calls for a national extended producer responsibility framework and for stricter packaging regulations. Industry groups are monitoring consumer sentiment, while several cafés and retailers are piloting reusable cup programs in response to the heightened public scrutiny.
