Aldi wins top award at 2020 Pakman Awards

Aldi were named the winner of the 2020 Pakman Award at the 6^th annual Pakman Awards, powered by Repak. This year, the Pakman Awards took place at a virtual ceremony and were hosted by Repak’s Team Green Ambassador Anna Geary. Special guest, Minister for Environment, Climate Action, Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan TD was also in attendance.

Due to the impact of Covid-19 on businesses in Ireland, the Plastic Pledge Award was the only Pakman Awards category open for entries this year. The category was open to the 125 Irish businesses who have signed up to Repak’s Plastic Pledge, committing to achieve specific objectives relating to reducing plastic packaging and increasing the recyclability of packaging.

A total of 13 businesses were shortlisted in the category, all of whom had a chance of winning a Gold, Silver or Bronze level award for their work to date in implementing Plastic Pledge commitments. 

Overall Pakman Award winner, Aldi Stores (Ireland) Ltd, alongside Coca Cola HBC Ireland & N.Ireland, Mannok and Tesco Ireland were all awarded Silver in the Plastic Pledge category. ABP Food Group, Britvic Ireland, Heineken Ireland, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard were awarded Bronze in Plastic Pledge category.*

Aldi was awarded the overall 2020 Pakman Award by demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the objectives outlined in the Plastic Pledge, including the removal of 600 tonnes of plastic from packaging, making 820 tonnes of plastic packaging more recyclable and increasing recycled content in their meat trays to 80%.

Minister for Environment, Climate Action, Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan TD commented on Aldi’s win:

“I would like to congratulate all of this year’s Plastic Pledge award winners and in particular the overall Pakman Award winner for 2020, Aldi.

Today, we recognise businesses who have made significant contributions to our recycling efforts through minimising the use of avoidable packaging and promoting the reuse of packaging where possible. The finalists listed today have set an example of what can be done and I would encourage businesses who have not yet signed Repak’s Plastic Pledge to consider doing so and follow the example of those nominated.

The progress made by businesses who have signed the Plastic Pledge gives me optimism that we are heading in the right direction towards a more sustainable society.

 The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, which I launched in September sets out a very ambitious roadmap for that journey including more than 200 recommendations to be implemented over the next five years. Some of the most challenging are in the plastics and packaging sphere and will involve extending producer responsibility to a wider range of products. I look forward to working with many of you who are joining today’s awards ceremony in navigating the many challenges ahead on the road ahead.”

 The Plastic Pledge category was judged under five criteria:

• Efforts of the Plastic Pledge’s signatories to prioritise the prevention of plastic packaging waste, minimise avoidable single use packaging and promote packaging reuse where possible.
• Efforts of the signatories to support Ireland in delivering the EU’s Circular Economy Package plastic recycling targets of 50% of all plastic packaging by 2025 and 55% by 2030.
• Efforts to reduce complexity within the plastic packaging supply chain by simplifying polymer usage and eliminating non-recyclable components in all plastic packaging by 2030.
• Efforts to help build a circular economy for used plastic packaging in Ireland and Europe by increasing the use of plastic packaging with a recycled content.
• Efforts to ensure their approach to plastic packaging reduction is aligned to Ireland‘s goal of a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030 as set out in Ireland’s food waste charter.

Full details regarding judging criteria and requirements to achieve a gold, silver or bronze award can be found on www.pakman.ie.

Speaking at the Pakman Awards, Séamus Clancy, CEO of Repak said:

“This afternoon we recognise the great work done by Repak members and Plastic Pledge signatories in their endeavours to minimise the use of avoidable plastic waste and promoting packaging reuse where possible, the ultimate circular economy objective. This year alone, our plastic pledge members will divert a total of 16,100 tonnes of plastic packaging waste from the Irish market and use 21,000 tonnes of recycled plastic in new production.

Since it was launched, Repak’s Plastic Pledge members have taken significant steps in reducing Ireland’s plastic packaging waste and has continued to grow in its second year. Today we acknowledge the outstanding work done by our Plastic Pledge members and congratulate those who have been recognised today for their efforts.

This year’s Pakman Awards took on a very different shape than we are used to. Due to the impact of Covid-19 on businesses in Ireland, we took the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Pakman Awards with the exception of the Plastic Pledge Award Category. We hope to return next year and celebrate all those who have demonstrated excellence in recycling and waste management across companies, communities, individuals and industries in Ireland. My congratulations to all the Bronze and Silver award recipients, and in particular this year’s overall Pakman Award winner, Aldi”.

To view the full list of winners and finalists below.