Nominations for Unpackit Awards close Friday

Nominations for the Unpackit Packaging Awards are rolling in before the nominations close on Friday, with the Worst Packaging category proving the most popular.

“We’ve received 166 nominations so far, up more than 50 percent from last year,” said Unpackit spokesperson Gina Dempster.

“We know from surveys we did in 2011 that people are frustrated by bad packaging, and this is strongly reflected in the Awards this year, with 96 nominations for the Worst Packaging Award.

Ms Dempster said one of the most commonly nominated items for the Worst Packaging Award this year is plastic-wrapped fruit and vegetables.

“We’ve noticed a real backlash against plastic-wrapped fruit and vegetables, with many nominators commenting that they refused to buy them because of the excessive packaging.”

Comments from nominators included “a waste of plastic”, “not needed, can’t be recycled,” and “Packaging isn’t needed and goes to landfill. Sell it on its own or on potato trays which can be composted.”

Ms Dempster said there was still time for people frustrated by bad packaging, or impressed by good packaging, to put in a nomination at www.unpackit.org. Unpackit’s Best and Worst Packaging Awards will be decided by public vote.

Nominations close 10th Feb (midnight)

Shortlist announced and voting opens 20th Feb

The Unpackit Packaging Awards are run by Wanaka Wastebusters. The Awards have received funding from the Waste Minimisation Fund, administered by the Ministry for the Environment.