The new partnership will see the Australian arm of the global ice-cream brand avoid approximately 604,745kgs of fossil fuel plastic per month, and will see the iconic Baskin-Robbins plastic pink spoon transformed into a pink wooden spoon made from FSC-certified birchwood.
The partnership with BioPak goes beyond packaging, with Baskin-Robbins also contributing to environmental protection and community initiatives through the BioPak Give Back Fund.
Since the start of the partnership, Baskin-Robbins has helped plant 22 trees with Rainforest Rescue, donate 493 meals with OzHarvest, and positively impact 378 lives with MedEarth.
With Baskin-Robbins renowned for its focus on innovation, fun and community, the new deal is part of a long-term commitment as the company looks to diversify and implement a range of sustainable business practices, starting with packaging.
“Transformation is now embedded in our everyday culture, and BioPak has proven to be a mature, stable, and invaluable partner in our packaging journey,” said Gaurav Sharma, head of commercial at Baskin-Robbins Australia.
“Despite the common perception that sustainability increases costs, we successfully reduced packaging expenses across all items through innovation and collaboration.
“This achievement would not have been possible without BioPak’s dedicated support with our team, enabling us to make smart decisions and leverage economies of scale. Together, we have laid a strong foundation for continued success.”
Commenting on the accessibility for companies to shift to compostable and sustainable alternatives that avoid fossil fuel plastics, BioPak’s CEO Gary Smith, said: “We are incredibly proud to work with Baskin-Robbins Australia on making this switch to compostable alternatives.”
“As more companies make a conscious effort to put the planet first, what we are continuing to see is a ripple effect for the wider industry. This means that our products become more accessible, and it helps us bridge the gap and get one step closer to building circular solutions in the food service industry.”
Baskin-Robbins are also working with Compost Connect to improve its organic waste stream management, allowing both compostable packaging and food waste to be collected and turned into nutrient-rich compost.
The new partnership between BioPak and Baskin-Robbins has also been noted as timely, with single-use plastic bans continuing to roll out across the country, and more restrictions in WA and SA taking effect in September.
