Single-use 'franken-cans' crowned worst packaging in Australia

It has become a popular way for cafes to serve up matcha or iced coffee, but environmentalists say single-use "franken-cans" are among the worst of Australia's packaging.

The thick plastic jar is usually filled onsite and sealed with an aluminium top welded to the vessel, making it disposable after a single use.

And the hybrid product has just taken home the gong for the worst packaging in Australia at the inaugural Unpackit Awards.

"These franken-cans tick every box for problematic packaging," Cip Hamilton from the Australian Marine Conservation Society said.

"We've got the solution — it's a reusable cup. Let's stick with that."

Dishonourable mentions

The Unpackit Awards were organised by the Australian Marine Conservation Society, WWF-Australia and the Plastic Free Foundation, to shine a light on everything from the shonkiest to the most innovative packaging.

Hundreds of nominations were received from members of the public before the best and worst awards were decided by a panel of judges.

Coles, Woolworths and Aldi received a "dishonourable mention" for wrapped avocadoes in plastic netting that shed microplastics.

"About half of the nominations from the Australian public were made for plastic packaging around fruit and vegetables in our major supermarkets," Plastic Free Foundation executive director Rebecca Prince-Ruiz said.

Mentos was denounced for its individually wrapped mints that litter the landscape.

"You see them on the footpath, in the gutter, at the beach — there's really no need for them," Ms Hamilton said.

And Kmart copped criticism for its Anko dumbbell set carry case, where weights are individually wrapped in plastic.

Mentos, Kmart and the major supermarkets have been contacted for comment.

Refillable milk kegs win top award

But the results are not all doom and gloom.

The award for Australia's best packaging has gone to Tasmanian company The Udder Way, which has created refillable 18-litre milk kegs.

The containers are like beer kegs for baristas, and once empty, are sent back to the dairy to be cleaned, refilled and returned.

"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 from WWF-Australia Australia said.

Sydney business Bearhug was given an honourable mention for its reusable pallet wrap system, designed to cut back on the tonnes of plastic cling waste used when transporting goods.

Cercle was also celebrated for its reusable steel coffee cups, which the company says has eliminated more than 1.5 million single use cups.

"Producers can't be left to their own devices, we've seen what happens there," Ms Hamilton said.

"Australia really needs strong packaging laws, they were promised in 2022.