Page 10 - Packaging News magazine November-December 2022

COVER STORY
Close the Loop Group’s circular story evolves
Since listing on the ASX in December last year,
Close the Loop Group has been firmly on the acquisition trail, and moving forward at pace to deliver on its goals of creating circularity across the group’s multifaceted operations. PKN reports.
WELL POSITIONED WITHIN the circular economy, Close the Loop Group creates innovative products and packaging that includes recyclable and made-from recycled content, as well as col- lects, sorts, reclaims and reuses resources that would otherwise go to landfill.
And its accolades are stacking up. For example, the group’s OF Packaging divi- sion has been widely recognised for its Roll ‘n’ Recycle kerbside recycling solu- tion, developed in partnership with Prep Design. It’s based on a mono-polymer pouch adopted first by brand owner Brookfarm and soon to roll out with other products in its range. The pin- nacle accolade for this product was the Diamond trophy at the prestigious Dow 2021 Packaging Innovation Awards, which recognise packaging projects from around the globe demonstrating the very best in sustainable innovation.
The string of awards continues to grow. Apart from winning gold in the PIDAs 2022 Sustainability Packaging Design of the Year, Reuse / Refill cat- egory for its Koh Kerbside Recyclable Spout Pouch Refill Pack, Close the Loop Group also won IPO of the Year at the Australian Business Growth Awards, and recently announced that it is a finalist in the Circular Leader category for the 2022 inaugural ACE Awards, organised by the Australian Circular Economy Hub.
This circular economy journey began over 20 years ago, with the refilling of consumer printer cartridges. Founder of the group’s Close the Loop division, Steve Morriss, soon realised the value of provid- ing take-back and recovery services to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of the cartridge and toner products and other related printer con- sumables. Close the Loop then provided the capability for these products to be sent back to manufacturers for reuse at scale, while diverting other printer con- sumables from landfill through their in-house processing capability.
Today, Close the Loop Group provides take-back, processing, reuse and recy- cling of several hard-to-recycle products, including cosmetics, post-consumer soft plastic packaging, and e-waste with a ‘zero waste to landfill’ approach.
10 ❙ NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2022
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